MotorwayDenmark
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.
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 • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions
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.
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 • 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 • 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 • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

Traffic rules
Denmark