This page is designed to assist you in comprehending the rules and navigating the most efficient path toward your goal, ensuring a swift and optimal return to driving.
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules before you start – because there are very different rules for getting your driving license back or keeping it if it has been suspended. These distinctions also impact the associated costs of retaining or reinstating your license.
To begin, it is imperative to clarify the various types of disclaimers.
Upon receiving a letter in your e-box regarding a disqualification decision, clarity will be provided. This serves as a comprehensive resource for citizens to educate themselves on the necessary steps to either retain or regain the right to drive.
There is often doubt about what a driving test means. Many believe that it is only driving in a school vehicle that one has to go through, but it involves both a theory and practical test.
For further clarification, you can read an explanatory description on the Danish Road Directorate’s website.
Conditional revocation
You may undergo conditional revocation, implying that although your driver’s license remains valid, you must successfully pass both theoretical and practical tests, potentially supplemented by an ANT course.
Unconditional revocation
When your driving license is unconditionally revoked, you lose the right to drive for a specific period. After this period, you may undergo the driving test, both theoretical and practical, to regain your driving privileges.
Driving Prohibition
If your driver’s license is less than 3 years old, it is considered “on probation,” and consequently, you will receive a driving prohibition along with the revocation.
WHAT IS A CONDITIONAL REVOCATION?
A conditional revocation is “a warning about your ability to drive or understand essential rules.”
The reason is that you have caused a dangerous situation, such as:
– A traffic accident where you are deemed responsible
– Significant speeding violations
– A truck or car losing its load
– Overtaking over a hill on a fully marked solid line
– Driving under the influence of alcohol
Situations that gamble with the lives and limbs of others lead to a conditional revocation.
Accumulating 3 penalty points within a 3-year period results in a conditional revocation.
A penalty point expires after 3 years. To check your status, you can contact the Police Administration Center.
Penalty points are incurred in situations deemed “dangerous.”
This includes, among other things:
– Exceeding the speed limit by over 30% (e.g., 66 km/h in a 50 km/h zone).
– Maintaining an inadequate following distance also results in penalty points, for instance, having less than 0.8 seconds of following distance when a minimum of 2 seconds is recommended. In practical terms, this translates to covering less than 20 meters at a speed of 100 km/h.
– Using a handheld mobile phone while driving and crossing fully marked lines (solid lines).
– If children are not properly restrained, you receive one penalty point per child.
The complete list is available on sikkertrafik.dk.
Legal Requirement: With a conditional revocation, you have 6 months to pass both a theory and a driving test. The deadline for fulfilling the conditions is specified in the letter you have received from the Police.
If you do NOT pass both tests on the first attempt, your driver’s license will be revoked. Therefore, you are not allowed to drive again until both the theory and driving tests are successfully completed.
This means that retaining the right to drive after a traffic accident and a failed test is not possible. It emphasizes that you are uncertain about the rules and need to go back to the “classroom” before regaining your driving privileges. In essence, you must pass both the theoretical and practical tests on the first try.
If you receive another conditional revocation within the next 3 years of the “probationary period,” both penalties will be combined, resulting in an unconditional revocation of your driver’s license, typically lasting for 6 months.
THE PROCESS
You will initially receive a summons from the Danish Road Directorate in your e-box: “Summons for a Supervisory Driving Test”
You are required to complete a supervisory driving test, consisting of both a theoretical and practical examination.
At the Citizen Service Center (Borgerservice), you can independently apply to take a theory test when undergoing a supervisory driving test. (A passport photo is only necessary if you fail the test).
We recommend that you visit the driving school to fill out the necessary paperwork and discuss the process. Afterward, we will manage the workflow on your behalf.
We can schedule the theory test, and upon passing, you can proceed to the practical test. It’s not possible to book both tests simultaneously.
Today, the system is open for you to check the available tests once they are created by the Danish Road Directorate.
You have the flexibility to choose the test location, potentially reducing waiting times by selecting a venue with shorter queues.
If you do not respond within 6 months, your driver’s license will be revoked and flagged for search.
PREPARATION
Thorough preparation will always yield the best results.
We recommend attending a theory weekend course and perhaps participating in a few evenings to purchase a code for online study. This will allow you to practice numerous tests and review the theory. The theory test should not be underestimated, as approximately 30% fail in Denmark.
A subscription for at-home training can be purchased at the driving school.
Before the practical test, we advise a minimum of one hour (60 minutes) of driving to “correct any bad habits” and conduct a technical check of the car. This involves reviewing the inspection points that will be assessed during the driving test, such as tires, lights, steering, brakes, exhaust, and more.
If your driving privileges have been revoked conditionally or unconditionally for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you must complete an ANT course before regaining your driving privileges. ANT course stands for Alcohol, Narcotics, and Traffic Course.
The course consists of 4 lessons, each lasting 3 hours, totaling 12 hours.
During the course, you will be instructed in various aspects, including facts about alcohol and drugs, prevention of drunk and drugged driving, etc.
The cost of the course is 3200 DKK, and you are responsible for covering this expense.
Courses are regularly conducted nationwide. Information regarding registration, schedule, and location can be found through the Regions.
QUICK PATH TO MOTORCYCLE LICENSE
If you decide to pursue a motorcycle license before the 6-month deadline expires, you won’t need to go through the car test again. This allows you to turn a negative situation into a very positive one.
Contact us, and let’s have a conversation about your options.
WHAT IS AN UNCONDITIONAL REVOCATION?
If your revocation is unconditional, it means your license has been withdrawn – you no longer have it in your possession. An unconditional revocation can range from 6 months up to 10 years.
You may receive an unconditional revocation for reasons such as:
– Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
– Excessive speeding violations
– Two conditional revocations within a 3-year probationary period
– Following other vehicles with a distance less than 0.2 seconds (equivalent to 6 meters at 100 km/h).
– If a truck driver manipulates the speed limiter to exceed 90 km/h – even if the driver is unaware of it
– Poorly secured dangerous goods
– If your license has been revoked for more than 3 years, each category you wish to reinstate must be reacquired. For instance, if you had licenses for a car, motorcycle, and truck, you need to go through the process of reinstating each.
HOW CAN I REINSTATE MY DRIVING PRIVILEGES?
By passing both a theory and driving test. (and possibly completing an ANT course additionally)
If you fail a test, you essentially waste time and need to pay a retest fee. You cannot regain your license until you have passed both tests.
CAN I BE DENIED THE LICENSE?
Yes. If your license is revoked due to substance abuse issues, you would typically need to undergo a treatment program where a doctor is in contact with the Police Administration Center.
WHAT IS AN ANT COURSE?
ANT course stands for Alcohol, Narcotics, and Traffic Course.
The course consists of 4 lessons, each lasting 3 hours, totaling 12 hours.
During the course, you will be instructed in various topics, including facts about alcohol and drugs, prevention of drunk and drugged driving, etc.
The course costs 3200 DKK, which you need to pay yourself.
Courses are regularly held nationwide. You can find information about registration, timing, and location from the Regions.
Please note that if your driver’s license has been revoked for 3 years or more, you must take tests in all categories you wish to reinstate.
THE PROCESS
One must apply to the commune for approval to go for the driving test.
If your driver’s license is revoked due to alcohol or narcotics, you are required to complete an ANT course before applying for a new license at the Citizen Service Center.
Submit the ANT course certificate along with a photo to the Citizen Service Center. We recommend visiting the driving school to complete the paperwork and have a discussion – this way, we can streamline the process for you.
Once your driver’s license application is approved (Form p23), you can proceed with the supervisory driving test, which includes both a theory and practical examination.
If you have had licenses for a car, motorcycle, and truck, this means passing the theoretical and the practical tests for each category if you want to regain all the other categories.
PREPARATION
Thorough preparation yields the best results. Do not underestimate the theory test – approximately 30% fail nationwide. The home training code is available at the driving school, allowing you to practice numerous tests and study the theory. Before the practical test, we recommend at least a double lesson to address any bad habits and conduct a technical check of the car. This involves reviewing the inspection points that will be assessed during the practical test, such as tires, lights, steering, brakes, exhaust, etc.
WHAT IS A DRIVING PROHIBITION?
If your first driving license for a car or motorcycle is less than 3 years old, it is still in the “Probationary Period.” If your license is revoked, you will face a “Driving Prohibition.” First-time licensees are under closer scrutiny since most accidents are caused by individuals aged 18-24.
This means you need to complete 50% of the mandatory training for a driver’s license, excluding the closed track and advanced driving course. Only theory and driving lessons, comprising 8 theory lessons and 8 practical lessons. Like the initial training, there should be a structured lesson plan with a rotation between theory and driving sessions.
The idea is to assist learners who, for example, have been in a traffic accident to gain more experience or those who have been speeding to learn the rules properly to avoid repeating driving mistakes.
Note that within the first 3 years, a driving prohibition is imposed after the second penalty point. Only after 3 years do you face conditional revocation after the third penalty point.
If you receive a driving prohibition due to alcohol-related offenses, you do not need to undergo theory and driving training but instead, an ANT course.
WHAT IS AN ANT COURSE?
ANT course stands for Alcohol, Narcotics, and Traffic Course.
The course consists of 4 lessons, each lasting 3 hours, totaling 12 hours.
During the course, you’ll be instructed in various topics, including facts about alcohol and narcotics, prevention of drunk and drugged driving, etc.
The course costs 3200 DKK, which you need to pay yourself.
Courses are regularly held nationwide. You can find information about registration, timing, and location from the Regions.
Only when the conditions are fulfilled can you be finally approved to take a supervisory driving test, which includes both a theory and practical examination.
WHAT IF I FAIL A TEST?
In that case, you need to retake the test, and you will only regain your driver’s license when you pass BOTH tests. During the interim, you have NO right to drive…!
As there is always a waiting period for tests, failing the theory test is particularly frustrating. There is a waiting period for a new theory test and additional waiting time for a practical test before obtaining the driver’s license. This emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, both in terms of time and money, as the retest fee is higher than when initially obtaining the driver’s license. As of April 2, 2023, it is 890 DKK.
Note that if you have multiple categories, such as a car, motorcycle, or truck, they will require you to retake tests for all categories if you fail twice, either in the theory or practical test.
THE PROCESS
You must apply to Borgerservice yourself to take the test (A passport photo is not necessary unless you fail). We recommend that you come to the driving school, fill out the paperwork, and discuss the process.
Once we have applied to Borgerservice, the case must be processed at the Police Administration Center before you can proceed. This is because students occasionally have multiple cases in different police districts, and the police need to gather information to determine whether the driver’s license can be reinstated or if the penalty should be increased.
After completing the mandatory hours of theory and driving, the lesson plan must be approved by Borgerservice, and the police must give their final permission for the tests to be conducted. This step is taken because some students may disregard all rules, resulting in multiple pending cases in the system.
We can book the theory test, and after passing it, the practical test can be scheduled. You cannot book both at the same time! The driving test booking system is currently open, allowing students to see the available tests once they are created by Borgerservice. There is a free choice of test location, so you can “take a shortcut” by moving around the country where the waiting time is shortest.
What does our students say?
Miriam is an experienced trainer. Both her theory and the practical classes are really good. For the practical classes she used to take me through the different test routes. Which was a great help. Miriam is an excellent teacher. Highly recommend her. Helped me get my Danish license.
I had a great experience learning from Miriam. She is an experienced and amazing instructor. Her theory classes and driving classes were very helpful for me to pass the Danish driver’s license theory and practical tests. I highly recommend Miriam when you want to get your Danish driver’s license.
I had Miriam as a teacher. I did theory and practice in English. Miriam is a very professional teacher with great skills of communication in explaining everything. I appreciate her patience and flexibility. Highly recommend this school.
I have had the best experience with Ole and Sanja. I have tried couple of other driving schools as well. But I could see clear difference in teaching quality with Ole. His way of analyzing the student’s capability is ultimate. He plans the driving sessions accordingly and eventually take the student to destiny. Highly recommended driving instructors.
Are you searching for a driving school near Copenhagen that focuses on quality? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We are ready to guide you so you can get the driving license as quickly as possible.
Contact us
About us
At Drive Trafikskole, we are a team of patient and experienced driving instructors who provide the best education that is both informative and targeted.
Trustpilot
We’re rated 5 stars on Trustpilot (+590 reviews)
Contact us