Denmark Motorcycle Theory A flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Right-hand rule (højrevigepligt)

At an unmarked Danish junction you must yield to traffic approaching from your right unless a give-way or stop sign or a police officer directs otherwise.

Give-way sign

A downward-pointing triangle with a red border and white or yellow centre. It means you must yield to traffic on the crossing road, overriding the right-hand rule.

Roundabout priority

Traffic already circulating in a Danish roundabout has priority. You yield on entry, signal right before your exit, and do not enter if your exit is blocked.

Leaving a private driveway

When entering a road from a driveway, car park, petrol station or field, you must yield to all traffic already on the road, regardless of the right-hand rule.

Urban speed limit

Inside a Danish built-up area, marked by place-name signs, the general limit is 50 km/h. Local signs may set a lower or higher limit.

Rural speed limit

Outside built-up areas the general Danish limit is 80 km/h. On signed dual carriageways it is 110 km/h, and on motorvej 130 km/h where signed.

Reaction distance formula

Reaction distance in metres equals speed in km/h divided by 3.6, multiplied by reaction time in seconds. At 1 second this is roughly speed ÷ 3.6.

Braking distance and speed

Braking distance grows with the square of speed. Doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop on the same surface.

Two-second rule

Stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front in dry conditions. Extend to four seconds in rain or darkness and six or more on ice.

Wet road braking

Wet asphalt roughly doubles braking distance compared with dry. The first rain after dry weather is especially slippery because oil floats on the surface.

Target fixation

A motorcycle tends to travel where the rider looks. In a bend, look through the curve to the exit rather than at the kerb or oncoming traffic.

Gravel and loose surfaces

On gravel, sand or wet leaves, keep the bike upright, avoid hard braking or acceleration, and cross the loose patch as smoothly and briefly as possible.

Tram rails when wet

Tram rails and painted road markings offer very little grip in rain. Cross rails as close to perpendicular as possible and never brake while on them.

Crosswind from lorries

High-sided vehicles create turbulence that pushes a motorcycle sideways. Reduce speed, grip the tank with your knees, and allow extra room when passing.

Cold tyre grip

Tyres have less grip when cold. For the first few kilometres, especially in cold weather, brake and corner more gently until they reach working temperature.

Helmet requirement

A fastened helmet meeting ECE 22.05 or 22.06 is mandatory for rider and passenger in Denmark. An unfastened helmet provides no protection and is an offence.

Passenger rules

A passenger must use a proper pillion seat with footrests, wear a fastened helmet, sit facing forward and hold on. The rider remains responsible for legality.

Protective clothing baseline

Abrasion-resistant jacket and trousers with armour, gloves and boots covering the ankle are the minimum. Bare skin and trainers give almost no protection in a slide.

Securing luggage

Luggage must be firmly secured, evenly loaded and within the manufacturer's weight limits. It must not obstruct lights, indicators, the number plate or your view.

Tyre pressure checks

Check tyre pressure cold, at least weekly and before long rides. Under-inflation causes overheating, poor handling and faster wear; over-inflation reduces the contact patch.

Motorcycle tread depth

Danish law requires at least 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters of a motorcycle tyre. Replace tyres before reaching the limit for safe wet riding.

Chain slack check

Correct chain slack is typically 20-30 mm depending on the model. Check for tight spots, lubricate regularly, and replace chain and sprockets together when worn.

Spongy brake lever

A spongy lever or pedal suggests air or moisture in the brake system. Have the system bled and inspected before riding; do not rely on it in an emergency.

Pre-ride POWDER check

Petrol, Oil, Water, Damage, Electrics, Rubber. A short systematic walk-around before each ride catches most defects before they become failures on the road.

Danish alcohol limit

The general limit is 0.5 g per litre of blood (0.5 per mille), or 0.25 mg/l breath. Riders in their first three years after passing the test face 0.2 per mille.

Medication and riding

Many prescription medicines cause drowsiness or slow reactions. If the leaflet warns of this, do not ride until you know how the medicine affects you.

Fatigue warning signs

Yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting in the lane and missing signs mean you must stop and rest. Coffee and fresh air only mask fatigue briefly.

Emergency number in Denmark

Call 112 for ambulance, police or fire in an emergency. Give the location, the number of casualties and any hazards such as spilled fuel or blocked lanes.

Helmet removal after a crash

Do not remove a motorcyclist's helmet unless the airway is blocked or resuscitation is needed. Removing it can worsen a neck or spinal injury.

CPR ratio

If a casualty is not breathing normally, start CPR at 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths and use an AED as soon as one is available.

Warning triangle placement

Place a warning triangle well behind the scene, at least 50 metres on rural roads and further on motorvej, so approaching traffic has time to react.

Duties after a collision

Stop, warn other traffic, help the injured, call 112, and exchange name, address and registration details. Do not leave before details have been exchanged.