Traffic rules and road signs
What the exam tests
This domain covers the Danish road-traffic rules in practice: priority, signs, signals, lane position, general speed limits, junctions, roundabouts and behaviour towards pedestrians and cyclists. A2 candidates must choose the legally correct action in a situation, not merely the polite one.
Core rules
- Denmark drives on the right. Where no sign or signal gives priority, the right-hand rule applies: yield to traffic approaching from your right.
- Priority signs override the right-hand rule. An inverted triangle means yield; an octagon means stop completely before proceeding. A red-ringed circle is a prohibition, a blue circle is a mandatory instruction and a triangle warns of a hazard.
- General limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them and normally 130 km/h on motorways unless a sign shows a lower limit. Local signs and roadworks always take precedence.
- In a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority. Enter to the right, keep right and signal right before leaving.
- At a zebra crossing, pedestrians have priority once they are on it or clearly about to enter it. When turning across a cycle path, give way to cyclists continuing straight.
- Overtaking is normally done on the left. It is prohibited where a sign bans it and at pedestrian crossings. Do not cross a solid centre line to overtake.
- One-way signs, no-entry signs and vehicle-type prohibitions apply to motorcycles unless a supplementary plate excludes them.
Worked example
You approach an unmarked T-junction and intend to turn left. A car comes from the road on your right, and a cyclist is on the cycle path you will cross. No signs are present. The right-hand rule gives the car priority, so you slow and yield. As you turn, the cyclist is going straight, so you must also give way before crossing the path. Waiting for the car does not automatically clear the turn.
Traps
Assuming a small side road has no priority; treating a yield sign as a stop sign or rolling through a stop sign; entering a roundabout without yielding; signalling left in a roundabout instead of right on exit; ignoring supplementary plates under prohibitory signs. Read the sign as a complete message, including any plate beneath it.