The Little Theory Book

Basic Rules of the Traffic Act

The Traffic Act applies everywhere unless an enclosure separates (e.g., a race track, playpen, or driving training facility).

Therefore, the Traffic Act also applies to countryside and forest roads that are not fenced and on the beach.

Users of the road must act considerately and show caution to avoid danger, inconvenience, or harm to others and to prevent unnecessary obstruction or disturbance of traffic.

Consideration must also be shown to those living or staying by the road.

Particular consideration must be given to children, school patrols, elderly individuals, and disabled individuals.

- Passengers and cargo:

B driving license gives the right to drive a vehicle

  • with weight up to 3,500 kg,,
  • with length up to 12 m.,
  • with height up to 4 m.,
  • with width up to 2.55 m. and
  • with a maximum of 8 passengers.

There must be as many passengers in the car as there are seats and seat belts for.

Passengers must sit comfortably and must not disturb the driver or each other.

Heavy objects inside the car must not be able to move when braking.

​Animals must sit in a harness on the seat or sit on the floor.

External goods must be securely fastened (in particular when driving with an open trailer).

External goods must extend beyond the front or rear of the car, but if it is more than 1 m longer, it must be marked with a cloth, empty shopping bag etc.

External goods must protrude beyond the sides of the car, but never more than 15 cm and never more than a maximum of 2.55 m.

Dangerous goods must not be transported in places where the board C23.3 is displayed (e.g. fireworks), which are set up on special roads and by tunnels.

- Trailer/trailer:

B driving license normally entitles you to tow a trailer of 750 kg, but there are several conditions that may apply, so it is recommended to check this link at FDM which calculates it for you: FDM Trailer calculator

Read more about your obligations here: Trailer

Speed

Driving speed must always be adjusted according to the conditions and your own driving skills, with particular regard to your own safety and that of others. You must also not drive at an excessively low speed without reason, if you thereby obstruct the normal speed for the area, such that you are the cause of queues or repeated overtaking.

The driving speed must not exceed:

In a denser built-up area (town sign): 50 km/h.

Outside denser built-up area: 80 km/h.

On motorways: 130 km/h.

On motorways: 80 km/h. (sometimes raised to 90 with board)

Irrespective of the general speed limits, you can come across road signs locally that indicate a higher or lower speed limit, and then that is the one that applies until it is lifted, either by sign or by crossing the road.

On larger roads in the city zone, it may happen that there are signs with 60 or 70 km/h (however, this does not apply to vehicles over 3,500 kg).​​

​Overhaul

Overtaking must always be done as quickly as possible on the left, unless it is overtaking a vehicle that is about to turn left, or is clearly preparing to turn to the left with activated left turn signal. In such a case, overtaking must take place on the right if there is room, but must not take place across the cycle path.
Drivers who want to overtake must ensure that this can be done without danger or inconvenience.

It is forbidden to overtake at an intersection, unless:

  • ​The intersection is regulated by lights or police, with several lanes in the same direction.
  • ​Crossing traffic has an unconditional right of way.
  • ​You overtake on the right past a vehicle turning left and the side road has Unconditional right of way.

Overtaking is prohibited:

  • ​Where the board, C51, about overtaking indicates it (often at intersections, which are automatically canceled after the intersection is passed, etc. the board is repeated after the intersection).
  • ​Where the width of the road does not allow it.
  • ​Where you cross over the barrier line.
  • In front of or across a railroad crossing.
  • ​In front of or on an unmanageable hill or road bend, unless there are 2 lanes in the direction of traffic, where oncoming traffic may not come (bicycles and mopeds 30 may, however, be overtaken in these places if it can be done without danger).
  • In front of or on a pedestrian crossing, unless you have a full view of the crossing.​​

In connection with another vehicle overtaking you, you must pull to the right on the roadway, and it is forbidden to increase your speed here.

-Mistakes in overtaking maneuvers risk fines and penalties as well as revocation of the driver's license.

Free passage

One must hold back/ give way, or otherwise give way:

  • For groups of children under the supervision of a leader.
  • ​For the defense and civil defense column drives.
  • ​For hearses (also at traffic lights where parts of the hearse run against red and you have green).
  • ​For other organized processions on foot or on horseback, such as parades or demonstrations.
  • ​For emergency vehicles that signal that they are under emergency.

​-Errors in these maneuvers risk a fine.​

Duty to give way/hold back:

At pedestrian crossings: Drivers have a duty to hold back for pedestrians who are in, or on their way out of, a pedestrian crossing.

At a bus stop: Drivers have a duty to hold back for buses at a bus stop that signals to start with turn signals on the left.

-Mistakes in these maneuvers risk fines and suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

Starting, turning and backing:

Before starting from the edge of the road, the driver must make sure that the maneuver can be carried out without danger or inconvenience.

The same applies when the driver wants to stop or quickly reduces speed.

Turning and reversing may only be done when it can be done without causing danger or inconvenience to others. Turning must always be done forwards to the left, unless this is not possible.

Before these manoeuvres, thorough orientation must be carried out, followed by signaling with flashing lights, to the side you want to move.
In the event of an accident on alm. road, a warning triangle must be set up 50m before the vehicle, and the hazard warning lights must be activated.

-Mistakes in these maneuvers risk fines and revocation of the driver's license.

Right of way

Right of way means that you must hold back from moving traffic.

There is either "Unconditional right-of-way" or "Right-of-way".

-Mistakes in these maneuvers risk fines and suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

Unconditional right of way

This means that you must hold back for all driving traffic from both the right and left side.

You have an unconditional right of way:

  • At the board "pointed triangle", B11.
  • ​At yield lines (popularly called shark teeth).
  • ​Where the STOP board is set up, B13.
  • ​When exiting the car park.
  • ​When exiting a property or plot of land.
  • ​When exiting from a gas station or exits from property or industry.
  • ​When exiting a field road or forest path.
  • ​At the exit from Gågade.
  • ​At the exit from the Residence and Play Area.
  • ​When exiting over a pavement, cycle path or ramp.
  • ​When exiting over a minimally changed (raised) pavement, e.g. cobblestone or pavement between two roads.

Right yielding obligation

In practice, the right-hand right-of-way means that you have to hold back for drivers from the right, but at the same time check whether those driving from the left hold back for you, particularly at T-junctions, where drivers going straight often do not realize that they have a right-of-way.

You can see if there is a right-of-way right if the intersection is not marked with an unconditional right-of-way (as mentioned under unconditional right-of-way), which is that the pavement on your road continues into the side road (same pavement).

NOTE. There are intersections, with the same for all 4 approaches to the intersection, elevations/bumps with cobblestones or a painted surface located in the middle of the intersection without other markings. This is a changed pavement, but it is the same changed pavement for all 4 roads = right-hand way.

-Mistakes in these maneuvers result in the risk of suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

​Carriage change

When changing lanes, you must ensure by orientation in mirrors and over your shoulder that the maneuver can be carried out without danger or inconvenience to others.

Lane change is when you change position on the carriageway, e.g. because the vehicle has to pass a parked car, overtake, or because the vehicle changes location in connection with the narrowing/widening of the road.

Carriage lanes are not always marked with stripes, and it is therefore enough for a significant change in the position of the vehicle to the side to constitute a lane change.

Changing lanes is to be regarded as Unconditional Right of Way, and it is interpreted in the same way by the Police. The boards E16.2.2-3.

-Mistakes in these maneuvers risk fines and suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

​Merging

When merging, the drivers must adapt their driving with mutual consideration, including possibly changing the speed, giving space, and following the rule that the car further ahead must drive first.

There is an intertwining when driving in the approach lane (acceleration lane (e.g. the approach to the motorway) must enter the lane which must be used for continued driving. Here, cars already driving on the road must actively try to help cars on the approach lane, possibly by reducing or increasing speed, or if possible changing lanes. The board with "zip lock" B15 and that 3 dotted lines stop.

Merging is also where the number of lanes reserved for traffic in the same direction is reduced by a confluence of two lanes into one lane, which occurs by lane lines between them stopping.

It is popularly said that "where lines are deleted, there must be merging". The tablets E16.1.1-7.

-Mistakes in these maneuvers risk fines and suspension or revocation of the driver's license.

​Location

When driving straight on on wide roads with stripes, drive approx. in the middle of the lane on the far right, and only use a possible lane to the left of this for overtaking, or driving past a stop. When passing trucks, buses and tractors, keep as far to the right as possible in the lane, as consideration for cyclists, moped riders and any pedestrians allows.

On roads without stripes, keep as far to the right of the carriageway as consideration for cyclists, moped riders and any pedestrians allows.

If you have to turn right at an intersection, you must pull as far to the right towards the edge of the carriageway as possible, in order to block cyclists.

When turning left at an intersection, you must start by pulling out to the center of the intersection (perhaps marked with stripes) and turn when there is space.

When turning left on the road, you must position yourself as far to the left as possible in the lane.

When turning left on a road with one-way traffic, you must position yourself as far as possible to the left of the carriageway.

-Errors in these maneuvers risk a fine.

Signaling and signaling

If there is a danger ahead, you must give a signal with the horn or by flashing the main beam of the headlights.

Signing is also to show other road users about one's upcoming action in traffic.

  • ​Drivers must signal with the stop light when braking (it turns on when the brake pedal is touched).
  • ​Drivers must signal with their turn signals in good time before turning onto a side road or turning at an intersection.
  • ​Drivers can flash their high beams before overtaking if the driver in front seems inattentive, or to tell the driver in front that they want to overtake.
  • ​Drivers must signal with turn signals to the left before starting from the edge of the road and when turning.
  • ​Drivers must signal with turn signals to the right before stopping on the road.
  • ​Drivers can signal with flashing lights, with approx. 4 flashes, before changing lanes/overtaking, or when it is for useful guidance for other traffic (only on wide main streets in urban areas).
  • ​Motorway drivers must signal with flashing lights, with approx. 4 flashes before entering the motorway and when changing lanes/overtaking.

For emergency driving, a white cloth/bag must be placed at the front of the vehicle as far as possible. It would also be a good idea to switch on the hazard warning lights, and flash the main beam as well as to activate the horn in the presence of other road users. As far as possible, 112 should be informed before driving is started.

-Errors in these maneuvers risk a fine.

Stopping and Parking

By parking is understood any voluntary provision of the vehicle for more than 3 minutes (so does not apply in case of breakdown). It does not matter if the driver is in or near the vehicle.

Stopping means any voluntary stopping of the vehicle which lasts 2-3 minutes. It does not matter if the driver is in or near the vehicle. Stoppage is, however, as long as unloading or loading takes place (e.g. removal van, disabled van, postal van, etc. - perhaps up to 2 hours). As long as there is activity, it is a shutdown.

Stopping is prohibited:

  • On the pedestrian crossing, or within a distance of 5 m. before the crossing (allowed just after).
  • ​At an intersection, or closer than 10 m. from cross traffic at the intersection.
  • ​Next to the exit from the cycle path, or within a distance of 5 m. before the exit (allowed just after).
  • ​On a railway crossing or within a distance of 5 m. before and after the crossing.
  • ​In such a way that a road sign or signal is thereby covered.
  • ​In a viaduct or a tunnel (danger due to light and contrast conditions).
  • ​On central relief/ barrier surface, pouring system and similar. places.
  • ​In, before and after an unmanageable bend in the road.
  • ​On, or near, impenetrable hilltop.
  • ​On the stretch before the barrier line in the middle of the road, where the distance to the beginning of the barrier line is less than 5 m. (in particular at road junctions).
  • ​Next to the barrier line in the middle of the road, drawn up as applicable to the direction of travel, if the distance from the vehicle to the barrier line is less than 3 m.
  • ​In crawling tracks.
  • ​At a marked stop for taxis/hire cars.
  • ​On motorways and motorways.
  • ​Where there is an unbroken yellow curb marking in your own direction of travel.
  • ​On cycle paths (both fully and partially).
  • ​On pavement (both fully and partially).
  • ​At the bus stop and 12 m before and after the bus stop. NOTE the distance is often extended with yellow curb markings.
  • ​Where the no-stop sign is displayed in your own direction of travel, C61.

It should be forbidden to stop on bumps, with the parking law being before bumps were introduced, and the law has not been adapted, why general. logical thinking should be used.

Parking is prohibited (stopping is permitted):

  • Closer than 30 m. from a railway crossing (baths before and after).
  • ​​Outside entrances and exits, to and from property, or otherwise in a way that the location of the vehicle makes driving difficult for others.
  • ​On the carriageway of main roads outside denser built-up areas.
  • ​Beside (in another position) another car, tricycle, or motorcycle with a sidecar, which keeps to the edge of the carriageway.
  • ​If the parking prevents access to other vehicles (too close),.
  • ​If the parking blocks the natural movement of other vehicles.
  • ​Where there are punctured yellow curb markings.
  • ​In Zones with Living and play areas, outside specially marked places, E51.
  • ​​Where the no-parking sign is displayed in your own direction of travel, C62.​​

It is permitted to stop and park on the left side of the road:

  • ​On one-way roads.
  • ​On less traveled roads such as residential roads.

-Errors in these maneuvers risk a fine.

​Risk conditions on the roads:

Drivers must pay particular attention when subjects/conditions may or will have an impact on continued driving. The driver must analyze the closest subject first. It is normal for the driver to be aware of several things at once.

However, if children are seen on or near the carriageway, attention must only be directed towards the children, even if there may be a junction, bend or other important thing further ahead.

-Errors in these maneuvers risk a fine.

- Course of the road:

Drivers must be particularly alert and watchful in places with poor orientation conditions, in dangerous places, or where drivers have less space. In such places, the driver must usually react by slowing down and be prepared to stop.

It is at runtime:

  • Up a hill.
  • ​Lead/through turns/curves.
  • ​Before/ through roundabout.
  • ​Before/over all types of intersections.
  • ​Before/ over railway.
  • ​In connection with narrow road and road narrowing.

- Use of the road:

Drivers must be especially alert and watchful if the road is used by other than moving traffic, i.e. pedestrians or horse riders. In such places, the driver must react by slowing down and be prepared to stop quickly.

It is at runtime:

  • ​On streets with many shops.
  • ​On parking lots and streets with many parked cars.
  • ​On streets with schools or children's institutions.
  • ​At a sports center or a sports ground, etc.
  • ​Where there are warning signs about children, buses and trains.
  • ​All other places where weak road users can get close to moving traffic, such as bus and train stations.

- Road surroundings:

Drivers must pay particular attention to conditions from the surroundings that may constitute risk conditions that either make driving more difficult or dangerous. The driver must react in such places by slowing down, and be prepared to stop quickly, in these places:

  • Trees/forest in winter, which provide shade and keep in the cold, thereby creating a risk of a slippery road compared to the road without trees/forest.
  • ​Trees/woods in the autumn, which drop leaves on the roadway, which may be slick, thereby creating a risk of a slippery roadway, especially when the road is wet.
  • ​Areas with water in winter (lake, brook, stream and sea), where a lot of water is released into the air, which falls on the roadway and makes it wet, thereby creating a risk of a slippery roadway, possibly like invisible black ice.
  • ​In the spring and autumn when there is soil on the road, which has come on the road from driving a tractor from the field to the road. This soil/mud thereby creates a risk of a slippery roadway
  • ​Bridges and tunnels in winter, where there is an increased risk of slippery roads.
  • ​Forests all year round, which are places with an increased risk of animals on the road.
  • ​Villa roads with hedges that create poor overview conditions.
  • ​On streets with shops, where parked cars create poor overview conditions.
  • ​On roads with heavy traffic in cities, where there is a risk of both bicycles and pedestrians entering the carriageway.

- Road equipment:

Drivers must pay particular attention to road conditions that make it necessary to be extra vigilant towards other traffic edges, especially pedestrians and cyclists.

  • ​When pedestrians walk on the road (pavement missing).
  • ​When pedestrians cross the road in places without a pedestrian crossing (lack of warning with a board and stripes means that this will seem surprising).
  • ​When there are bicycles on the road (cycle path missing).
  • ​When there is oncoming traffic on a narrow road.
  • ​When the roadway lacks stripes (correct placement becomes difficult).
  • ​When the carriageway in cities in the dark lacks road lighting and there are weak road users on the road.

- Road condition/ reduced grip:

Drivers must pay particular attention to the difference between dry asphalt and conditions that make the road slippery. In such places, the driver must usually react by slowing down, and drive the car carefully to avoid skidding.

​When the road is wet.

  • ​When there is snow on the road.
  • ​When there is ice on the road (NOTE be careful when the temperature drops below 4 degrees plus).
  • ​The cobblestones, especially if they are wet.
  • ​Potholes in the road.
  • ​When the road is made of gravel.
  • ​When there is dirt/mud on the road.
  • ​When there are dead leaves on the road, especially if they are wet.​

- Road Class:

These are roads with their own signs, rules or driving methods.

These are zones, such that boards showing one of these zones start with the board "Zone begins" and end with "Zone ends".

Where these zone boards are set up, certain of the basic rules of the Road Traffic Act have been changed at points around:

  • Stopping and parking.
  • Right of way.
  • ​To help the accessibility of other road users.
  • ​Permitted speed.

Motorway, E42 and E44. For the zone:

applies
  • Stopping is prohibited on the road and in emergency lanes.
  • ​Pedestrians, bicycles, tractors and both types of mopeds are prohibited from entering.
  • One-way traffic in at least 2 lanes (during roadworks it may happen that there is only one lane).
  • Minimum speed is 50 km/h.
  • Highest speed is 130 km/h.
  • ​In the event of an accident, the warning triangle must be placed 100m behind the vehicle and the hazard warning lights must be activated.
  • ​No right-of-way obligations when driving on the motorway (can very rarely occur during roadworks, however).
  • ​Indicators must be used when changing lanes/overtaking and entering the motorway.
  • ​When driving with a trailer/trailer, signs on the prohibition of overtaking must be followed, and drivers with a trailer/trailer must not move to the other lane when overtaking.
  • ​Drivers must be aware of the fact that this can happen when approaching and exiting the motorway;
    • ​interlacing on acceleration track with "zip board" B15, which ends with 3 wide stripes (98%),
    • ​lane change with wide dashed stripes (combined to and exit lane),
    • ​Unconditional right of way with "triangle at the tip" board, B11, and shark's teeth (very rare, but found in 4 places at Kbh. and roadworks).

NOTE. Drivers can advantageously keep an eye out for and react to foreign vehicles when merging, as e.g. German cars in these places are used to driving according to the rule for changing lanes.

Motor traffic road, E43 and E45. For the zone:

applies
  • Stopping is prohibited.
  • ​Pedestrians, bicycles, tractors and both types of mopeds are prohibited from entering, unless signs allow it.
  • ​No right of way when driving on the motorway.
  • ​Traffic from side roads is normally regulated with traffic lights or exit and access lanes with merging, but can also be with Unconditional Right of Way.

Hovedvej, B16 and B17. For the zone:

applies
  • ​Parking is prohibited.
  • ​All types of road users may travel on the road.
  • ​All side roads to main roads have unconditional right of way.

- Type of the road - Traffic rehabilitated areas:

These are roads with their own signs, rules or driving methods.

These are zones, such that boards showing one of these zones start with the board "Zone begins" and end with "Zone ends".

Where these zone boards are set up, certain of the basic rules of the Road Traffic Act have been changed at points around:

  • Stopping and parking.
  • Right of way.
  • ​To help the accessibility of other road users.
  • ​Permitted speed.​

Gågade, E49 and E50. For the zone:

applies

Roads reserved for pedestrians with a ban on driving. Driving may, however, be permitted on a sub-board. For the zone:

applies
  • ​If driving is permitted, rules for pedestrian crossings must be followed throughout the zone. In the zone, the driver must be prepared to stop for pedestrians crossing the carriageway.
  • You must drive very slowly, so that you can stop for pedestrians.
  • ​​Parking may normally only take place in stalls.
  • ​It can be expected that bicycles and mopeds must travel against one-way traffic.
  • ​There is usually Unconditional right of way when leaving the zone.

Areas with speed reductions – Stillevej, E53 and E54.

Roads that invite high speed, but because of the danger to weak road users, restrictions have been made. In the zone, the driver must be prepared to stop for weak road users. For the zone:

applies
  • Speed limit of 20, 25, 30 or 40 km/h.
  • ​The road is equipped with harassments which can be, E16.3.01 to E16.3.34 and E16.4.01 to E16.4.04:
  • ​Road bump.
  • ​Narrowing on one side.
  • ​Narrowing on both sides.
  • ​Combination of bumps and constrictions.

Residential and play area, E51 and E52.

Roads in residential areas with many children. In such a zone, the driver must be prepared to stop for weak road users. For the zone:

applies
  • Pedestrians must stay and be on the roadway for any play.
  • ​​Parking may only take place in marked stalls (the carriageway must be kept free for play).
  • Speed limit of no more than 15 km/h.
  • ​There is right-of-way, etc. otherwise is specified.
  • ​When leaving the zone there is always an Unconditional right of way.

This "Book of Theory" is a popular abbreviation of the Traffic Act, and therefore no responsibility is assumed for interpretations/understanding of the information on the page.

The aim of this page is solely to increase understanding of the traffic law, and help to pass a theory test.