Denmark Motorcycle Theory A2 key terms

The Danish Road Traffic Act, the statute that sets the binding rules for all road users, including motorcycle riders, and provides the legal basis for fines, licence withdrawal and liability.

The duty to give way to other traffic, for example at an unmarked junction where traffic from the right has priority, or when entering a road from a private driveway.

The default priority rule at junctions without signs or signals: you must yield to vehicles approaching from your right, so a rider must slow and check right before crossing.

The maximum permitted speed on a stretch of road, shown by sign or by general rule: typically 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them and up to 130 km/h on motorways.

A limited-access road marked with a blue sign showing a white car symbol, normally with a lower speed limit than a motorway and without the motorway's full separation of directions.

A divided high-speed road with separated carriageways and no at-grade crossings, entered only via slip roads; riding a motorcycle under 50 cc or without sufficient power is not allowed.

The hard shoulder on a motorway, reserved for emergencies and breakdowns; it is not a driving lane, and stopping there for any other reason is prohibited and dangerous.

A solid longitudinal line that must not be crossed, used to separate opposing traffic or mark the edge of a carriageway where overtaking or lane changes would be unsafe.

Passing another road user travelling in the same direction; it must be done only where visibility and signs allow, with a safe margin, and never where a solid line forbids it.

The area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in the mirrors; large trucks and buses have big blind spots, so a rider should avoid riding alongside them and never linger there.

A riding style that anticipates other road users' mistakes, keeps escape routes open, maintains a safe margin and prioritises avoiding a collision over being in the right.

The distance travelled while the rider perceives a hazard and moves hand or foot to the brake, roughly one metre per km/h of speed for a typical one-second reaction time.

The distance covered from the moment braking begins until the motorcycle stops; it grows with the square of speed and is longer on wet, loose or slippery surfaces.

The total distance needed to stop: reaction distance plus braking distance. At 80 km/h it is easily over 50 metres on dry asphalt, far more in rain.

An anti-lock braking system that prevents the wheels from locking during hard braking, letting the rider brake firmly while still steering, though it does not shorten braking distance on all surfaces.

Using the front brake, which provides most of a motorcycle's stopping power because weight shifts forward; it must be applied progressively to avoid locking or losing the front end.

The rear brake, useful for stabilising the bike at low speed, in slow manoeuvres and on slippery ground, but contributing much less than the front brake to stopping distance.

The technique of pushing the handlebar on the side you want to turn towards; at speed, the motorcycle leans and turns in the direction of the push.

Choosing entry speed, line and lean angle through a bend, braking before the curve, looking through it and rolling on the throttle gently on exit for stability.

Using throttle, clutch, brakes and steering smoothly and in combination so the tyres keep grip; abrupt inputs on a motorcycle, especially mid-corner, can cause a skid or fall.

The grip between tyre and road surface; it is reduced by rain, ice, gravel, oil, paint markings and worn tyres, so the rider must adjust speed and lean angle accordingly.

The tread pattern and remaining tread depth on a tyre; too little depth reduces water dispersal and grip, and Danish rules require a minimum tread depth for motorcycle tyres.

The air pressure inside the tyre, which must follow the manufacturer's recommendation; wrong pressure harms grip, stability, braking and tyre life, so it should be checked regularly when cold.

The correct slack in a chain-drive motorcycle's drive chain; too tight or too loose a chain damages the gearbox and wheel bearings and can cause loss of drive or a locked rear wheel.

A protective helmet that is mandatory for riders and passengers in Denmark; it must fit properly, be fastened, and carry a recognised approval marking to give real protection in a crash.

Purpose-made motorcycle clothing with abrasion-resistant fabric and impact protectors at shoulders, elbows, hips and knees; it limits road rash and fractures far better than ordinary clothes.

Protective motorcycle gloves with reinforced palms and knuckle protection; hands are the first thing a falling rider reaches out with, so gloves prevent severe skin loss and fractures.

The blood alcohol measure used in Danish law; for motor vehicle drivers the limit is 0.5 promille (0.5 g per litre of blood), and penalties rise sharply above it.

Riding or driving under the influence of alcohol; it is a serious offence that can bring a fine, licence suspension, a period without a licence and even imprisonment in aggravated cases.

A fine imposed for a traffic offence; for many motorcycle offences the amount is fixed by regulation, and unpaid fines can block registration or lead to further enforcement.

A penalty point recorded on the driving licence for certain traffic offences; accumulating enough points within a set period leads to a driving ban and a new theory and practical test.

The driving licence; the A2 category covers medium-power motorcycles, and holding it requires passing both a theory and a practical test and meeting age and health requirements.

The motorcycle licence class for bikes with limited engine power, roughly up to 35 kW and a power-to-weight ratio limit; it also sets which machines a rider may legally ride.

The mandatory third-party liability insurance for a motor vehicle; it covers damage you cause to other people and their property, but not damage to your own motorcycle.

Optional comprehensive insurance covering damage to your own motorcycle, including theft, fire and single-vehicle accidents; premiums depend on bike type, rider age and claims history.

The scene of a crash; the first rider on the spot must secure the area, call emergency services, give first aid within their ability and stay until help takes over.

Immediate help at an accident: checking breathing, stopping severe bleeding, placing an unconscious but breathing person in the recovery position and calling 112 for help.

A breakdown or emergency stop; on a motorway the rider should move the bike onto the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights and get behind the barrier while waiting for help.

Fatigue that slows reactions and impairs judgement on long rides; riders should plan breaks roughly every hour to two hours and stop at the first signs of drowsiness.