MotorwayDenmark

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Denmark. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


2. Motorway

A motorway is a road specially designed and signposted for motor traffic. Motorways normally have separate carriageways for opposing traffic, controlled access through designated entrances and exits, no direct access to neighbouring properties, and no level crossings with other roads, railways or paths.

Special traffic rules apply on motorways. The permitted road users, speed limits, lane rules, tolls and emergency procedures vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Køge Bugt Motorway on routes E20, E47 and E55. (Denmark)
Wikimedia.org • News Oresund • CC BY
How do people refer to a motorway in Denmark?

The Danish term is motorvej. A motortrafikvej is a different road category for motor vehicles and does not automatically have the motorway speed limit.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 41–48; signing order E42–E45 and D55–D56

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

Start of a motorway. Start of a motorway.

English • Traffic sign E 42 • Motorway. Marks a section where the special motorway and motorway entry/exit-road rules apply under sections 44–47 of the Road Traffic Act.

Dansk • Tavle E 42 • Motorvej. Tavlen angiver vejstrækning, hvor de særlige regler om kørsel på motorvej og til- og frakørselsveje til motorvej gælder, jf. færdselslovens §§ 44-47.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 27

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the motorway. End of the motorway.

English • Traffic sign E 44 • End of motorway. Normally not used where exit roads join the ordinary road network.

Dansk • Tavle E 44 • Motorvej ophører. Tavlen anvendes normalt ikke ved frakørslers tilslutning til det almindelige vejnet.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 27

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-08-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What speed limit applies to cars on a motorway in Denmark?

For an ordinary passenger car without a trailer, the general maximum is 130 km/h. Obey lower posted limits and reduce speed when traffic, weather or visibility requires it. Different limits can apply to other vehicle classes.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 41–48; signing order E42–E45 and D55–D56

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

Who may use a motorway in Denmark?

Only motor vehicles, or combinations, that can legally travel at at least 50 km/h on a level road may normally use a motorway and its entry and exit roads. This admission rule does not override the need to slow down for traffic or safety.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 41–48; signing order E42–E45 and D55–D56

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

What should I do if I miss a motorway exit in Denmark?

Continue to the next exit and choose a safe onward route. Do not reverse, make a U-turn or cross the central reservation to return to a missed exit.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 41–48; signing order E42–E45 and D55–D56

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

1 Denmark 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian zone 8 Bus stop 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Railway crossing 12 Crossing animals 13 Wrong-way driving 14 Selective barriers 15 Traffic lights 16 Pedestrian lights 17 Road markings 18 Driving licence 19 Traffic mirror 20 International border 21 Cycling route 22 Parking 23 No parking 24 No stopping 25 Parallel parking 26 Parking meter 27 Parking disc 28 Disabled parking 29 Traffic management 30 Reversing 31 Emergency exit 32 Licence plate 33 Charging station 34 Dangers 35 Cyclist 36 Bus 37 Police 38 Ambulance 39 European emission standard 40 Pothole 41 Path 42 Particulates 43 Air pollution 44 Rush hour 45 Road code 46 Street gutter 47 Cargo bike 48 Forestry vehicle 49 Construction vehicle 50 Semi-trailer truck 51 Trolleybus 52 Speed pedelec 53 Delivery vehicle 54 Idling 55 Tow truck 56 Four-wheel drive 57 No vehicles 58 Bicycle 59 Motorcycle equipment 60 Tram 61 Rail track 62 Caravan 63 Trailer 64 Tow hitch 65 Fire truck 66 Siren 67 Convoy 68 Emergency vehicle lighting 69 Agricultural machinery 70 Electric bicycle 71 Electric vehicle 72 Pedelec 73 Quadricycle 74 Microcar 75 All-terrain vehicle 76 Van 77 Recreational vehicle 78 Scooter 79 Trikke 80 Personal mobility device 81 Skateboard 82 Segway 83 Kick scooter 84 Roller skates 85 Mailman 86 Hitchhiker 87 Toddler 88 Child 89 Disability 90 Commercial vehicle 91 Motorail 92 Garbage truck 93 Parking violation 94 km/h 95 mph 96 Speedometer 97 National speed 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ...