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DRIVING

Denmark ends American driver license hell

The bureaucratic nightmare Americans in Denmark have faced getting hold of a Danish driver's license may be at an end now the Danish transport ministry has ruled they can exchange a US for a Danish license without taking a new test.

Published: 18 December 2015 17:04 CET
Denmark ends American driver license hell
Hanne Plougmann driving through the countryside of Lolland, Denmark. Photo: Lars Plougmann, Flickr
For years, US citizens settling in Denmark have experienced problems getting a Danish license, partly because the US belongs to the so-called ‘Group 2 countries’ where driver training is not deemed comparable to that of Danish drivers. 
 
As a result, many middle-aged Americans have been forced to take a Danish driving test despite having driven safely every day of their lives for upwards of 20 years. 
 
Hans Christian Schmidt, Denmark’s transport minister on Friday presented a solution to the problem to the US embassy, which will enable Americans to easily get a Danish license without excessive bureaucracy. 
 
“We at the US Embassy in Copenhagen are thrilled that US citizens, who have decided to call Denmark their home, will be now be able to exchange their American driver’s license for a Danish one,” Rufus Gifford, the US ambassador to Denmark, said in a press release. 
 
“These new regulations will make Denmark an even friendlier place for American companies and individuals to do business.”
 
“Thank God!” wrote Melissa Thøgersen, who moved to Denmark after marrying a Dane. “I was going to have to take a written and driving exam, even though I've been driving for 15 years. I'm so glad they've come to a resolution!” 
 
A previous attempt to make it easier for Americans to get a Danish license by proving that they possessed sufficient driving experience failed because it was too difficult for US citizens to obtain the necessary proof. 
 
The US embassy has been attempting to resolve this issue for more then two years, but did not manage to arrive at a solution this month. 
 
“It’s important that we have now reached a solution so Americans do not have to go through a maze of bureaucracy, when they want to exchange their driver’s license,” Hans Christian Schmidt, Denmark’s transport minister, said in a press release. 
 
“US traffic conditions are very similar to those in Denmark, so it is only natural that it will now be easier to exchange licenses.” 
 
The new system is expected to enter into force as quickly as possible in 2016.
 
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DRIVING

How should you prepare your car for autumn (and winter) in Denmark?

It’s common for motorists in Denmark to switch between summer and winter tyres once autumn sets in, but do conditions in the country call for anything else?

Published: 27 September 2023 15:19 CEST
How should you prepare your car for autumn (and winter) in Denmark?

You might not have noticed based on the weather, but calendars are proof that autumn has arrived in Denmark.

With that in mind, it’s inevitable that conditions on the roads will be taking a wetter and colder turn sooner or later. What steps are usually taken by motorists in Denmark at this time of year to set their vehicles up for the coming months?

Winter tyres 

Winter tyres are not a legal requirement in Denmark but they are generally recommended, including by FDM, the membership organisation for motorists.

Tyres which qualify as winter tyres are marked “M + S”, which stands for “Mud and Snow” and have a mountain and snowflake symbol.

While the law does not require you to use winter tyres, you do have to have matching tyre types. So it is illegal to, for example, keep normal tyres on the front of your car and just change the rear tyres in the winter.

It is common to switch over to winter tyres in the ‘autumn holiday’ or efterårsferie around the second half of October. Many car owners keep a second set of wheels with winter tyres in their basements or garages, or at “tyre hotels” in workshops who can also change the wheels for you and store the summer tyres in place of the winter set.

READ ALSO: Driving in Denmark: When should you change to winter tyres?

Check your battery

Car batteries work harder when it is cold, particularly when the temperatures drop below zero. If you have an older car or an older battery, it might therefore be a good idea to ask a mechanic to check it.

When it’s cold, you’re likely to be using functions like the internal fans and heaters which will put additional drain on the battery.

Make sure your windscreen is clear

It’s important to get your windscreen clear before you head out, even on shorter journeys. This goes for both ice and condensation and a windscreen that is not properly cleared and therefore limits your vision can get you a “clip” or points on your driving licence, as well as being a safety hazard.

Make sure you have a good quality ice scraper in the car, and get the motor and windscreen heaters running in good time before you set off.

“Wing mirrors, headlights and number plates must also be free of ice and snow” said Rasmus Boserup, head of communications with energy company OK, in a press release. OK operates petrol stations across Denmark.

READ ALSO: How strict are the punishments for driving offences in Denmark?

Change your wiper blades

Drivers often use their windscreen wipers to help scrape the remaining frost from windshields. This can wear down the wiper blades, resulting in squeaking and inefficient performance in rainy weather conditions.

Ideally, you should avoid this and stick to a scraper and the heating system to clear ice. It’s nevertheless a good idea to treat your vehicle to a new set of wiper blades if you notice a deterioration.

Put a high-viz jacket or vest and hazard triangle in your car

If you break down and pull over to the side of the motorway or road, you’ll need a relective hazard triangle (advarselstrekant in Danish), which must be placed behind the car to warn approaching drivers about your stricken vehicle. These are required by law if you’ve broken down (although it’s technically not a legal requirement to have one in the car) – so it’s worth having one in the boot/trunk.

In addition to this, a high-visibility jacket, vest or other clothing is a very good idea if you have to pull over, and even more so when it’s dark or in the winter when visibility is generally poorer than in summer.

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