If, at some point, you have had a driving licence in a country outside the EU, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, and your current foreign driving licence was issued on the basis of this licence, you must instead read the rules in effect for the area where your original licence was issued.
You must meet these requirements to exchange your driving licence
- You must permanently reside in Denmark. This means that you must be registered with a Danish address in the National Register (Folkeregisteret), and you must reside in Denmark at least 185 days a year.
- Your foreign driving licence must have been issued before you entered Denmark.
If you permanently reside outside Denmark, you are allowed to drive in Denmark with your foreign driving licence. The driving licence must be written in the Latin alphabet. Otherwise, you must show an English or Danish translation of the licence when you present it. The translation must have been made by a public authority or organisation in the country where your licence was issued.
Exchanging a licence for driving an ordinary car and/or motorcycle
You are allowed to drive in Denmark with your foreign driving licence until it expires. If it has expired or if you wish to exchange it (even if it has not expired), you must book an appointment for a personal meeting at Citizen Service (Borgerservice). When you attend the meeting, you must bring the following:
For citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland:
- Your foreign driving licence. If you have lost your driving licence, or if it is damaged or very worn, we must ask you to bring confirmation of your licence from the foreign authorities that issued it. This confirmation must be in Danish or English.
- A valid passport
- A valid photo
It costs DKK 280 to exchange a driving licence, and you can pay in cash, with VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB or UnionPay or with MobilePay or a Dankort app.
For persons who are not citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland:
- Your foreign driving licence. If you have lost your driving licence, or if it is damaged or very worn, we must ask you to bring confirmation of your driving licence from the foreign authorities that issued the licence. This confirmation must be in Danish or English.
- A valid passport
- A valid photo
- A valid residence permit
- Your health insurance card (sygesikringskort).
It costs DKK 280 to exchange a driving licence, and you can pay in cash, with VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB or UnionPay or with MobilePay or a Dankort app.
Temporary driving licence
If your foreign driving licence is still valid or if it expired less than three years ago, it is possible to get a temporary Danish driving licence when you come to Citizen Service. The licence is valid in the Scandinavian countries, and you may use it while we process your application.
How to exchange your driving licence
- Are you unsure about which rules apply to you specifically? Then find out by answering a few questions. If you are already familiar with the rules, you can book an appointment with Citizen Service.
- Bring the relevant documents with you to Citizen Service.
- After your meeting at Citizen Service, we will send your application for approval by the police. The length of time you must wait to receive the licence may vary.
If you need help, you are welcome to call Citizen Service on tel. 3366 3366.
Exchanging a licence for driving vehicles besides an ordinary car or motorcycle
You are allowed to drive in Denmark with your foreign driving licence until it expires. If it has expired or if you wish to exchange it (even if it hasn’t expired), you must book an appointment for a personal meeting at Citizen Service. When you attend the meeting, you must bring the following:
For citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland:
- Your foreign driving licence. If you have lost your driving licence, or if it is damaged or very worn, we must ask you to bring confirmation of your driving licence from the foreign authorities that issued it. This confirmation must be in Danish or English.
- A valid passport
- A medical certificate from your doctor. You will receive it in a closed envelope, which must be unopened when you hand it in at Citizen Service.
- A valid photo.
It costs DKK 280 to exchange a driving licence, and you can pay in cash, with VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB or UnionPay or with MobilePay or a Dankort app.
For persons who are not citizens of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland:
- Your foreign driving licence. If you have lost your driving licence, or if it is damaged or very worn, we must ask you to bring confirmation of your driving licence from the foreign authorities that issued it. This confirmation must be in Danish or English.
- A valid passport
- A valid residence permit
- Your health insurance card (sygesikringskort)
- A medical certificate from your doctor. You will receive it in a closed envelope, which must be unopened when you hand it in at Citizen Service.
- A valid photo.
It costs DKK 280 to exchange a driving licence, and you can pay in cash, with VISA, Mastercard, American Express, JCB or UnionPay or with MobilePay or a Dankort app.
Temporary driving licence
If your foreign driving licence is still valid or if it expired less than three years ago, it is possible to get a temporary Danish driving licence when you come to Citizen Service. The licence is valid in the Scandinavian countries, and you may use it while we process your application.
How to exchange your driving licence
- Are you unsure about which rules apply to you specifically? Then find out by answering a few questions. If you are already familiar with the rules, you can book an appointment with Citizen Service.
- Bring the relevant documents with you to Citizen Service.
- After your meeting at Citizen Service, we will send your application for approval by the police. The length of time you must wait to receive the licence may vary.
If you need help, you are welcome to call Citizen Service on tel. 3366 3366.
