DenmarkvsGermany
Denmark and Germany share a land border — here's how their driving rules differ, side by side.
VERIFIED 2026-07-29 & 2026-07-29 · METHODOLOGY| RULE | Denmark | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Driving side | Drives on the right | Drives on the right |
| Urban speed limit | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural speed limit | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Motorway speed limit | 130 km/h | No general limit |
| Alcohol limit (general) | 0.5‰ | 0.5‰ |
| Alcohol limit (novice) | 0.0‰ | 0.0‰ |
| Mandatory equipment | Warning triangle | Warning triangle, Hi-vis vest, First aid kit |
| Tolls | Toll booths | No general toll |
| Headlights | Dipped headlights (or daytime running lights) are required at all times, day and night, year-round. | Not generally mandatory for cars in daylight, but recommended in poor visibility and required in tunnels; motorcycles must run headlights at all times. |
| Winter tires / chains | No legal requirement for winter tires, though the vehicle must be suitably equipped for conditions — carrying winter tires is a common practical choice. | Winter tires (marked with the Alpine/3PMSF symbol) are required whenever roads have snow, ice, slush, or frost — there's no fixed calendar season, the requirement is condition-based ("situative Winterreifenpflicht"). Driving on summer tires in wintry conditions can bring a fine and points. |
| Low-emission / restricted zones | Copenhagen and several other cities operate environmental zones restricting older diesel vehicles — check current rules before driving into a city center. | Many cities have an "Umweltzone" (environmental zone) requiring a green Umweltplakette sticker; some cities add separate diesel restrictions. |
| Child seats | Children under 135 cm must generally use an approved child restraint suited to their size. | Children under 12 and shorter than 150 cm must use an approved child restraint system. |
| Mobile phone use | Hands-free only; holding a phone while driving is prohibited. | Holding a phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted. |
| Currency | DKK | EUR |
| Emergency number | 112 | 112 |