Denmark Category C1 Light Truck Theory Test cheat sheet

Default urban speed limit in Denmark is 50 km/h; rural roads 80 km/h; motorways (motorvej) 130 km/h; on roads with a solid centre line and no overtaking, 70 km/h may apply.

Priority to the right applies at unsigned junctions; a driver leaving a private property, parking area, or dirt road must yield to all traffic on the public road.

Roundabouts: vehicles already in the roundabout have priority; entering drivers must yield; indicating left on entry is not required, indicate right when leaving.

Traffic light sequence: red → red+amber → green → amber → red; flashing amber means proceed with caution and yield as at a give-way sign.

A give-way sign (inverted triangle) requires yielding to traffic on the crossing road; a stop sign requires a complete stop at the line before yielding.

Overtaking is prohibited where a solid white centre line is present, at pedestrian crossings, at railway crossings, and where visibility is insufficient; overtaking a tram on the left is generally required.

Safety distance: at least 2 seconds in good conditions; in tunnels, on bridges, and in wet weather increase to 3–4 seconds.

Pedestrian crossings (fodgængerfelt): drivers must yield to pedestrians on or approaching the crossing; stopping or parking within 10 m before a crossing is prohibited.

Periodic technical inspection (syn) for a light truck (total weight ≤ 3,500 kg) is required every 12 months once the vehicle is 4 years old; new vehicles are first inspected 4 years after first registration.

Inspection covers brakes, steering, suspension, tyres, lights, exhaust emissions, seat belts, and body condition; a failed inspection requires re-inspection within 30 days.

Minimum tyre tread depth for light trucks is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; tyres must be matched in size and construction on the same axle.

Brake system: dual-circuit hydraulic or air; parking brake must hold the vehicle on a 16% gradient; brake fluid is hygroscopic and should be replaced at manufacturer intervals (typically every 2 years).

Lighting: headlights must be correctly aimed; fog lights may only be used when visibility is seriously reduced (generally below 50 m); daytime running lights are mandatory.

A catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter (DPF) are part of emissions control; a DPF warning light requires regeneration or service to avoid failing the smoke opacity test.

Windscreen: cracks in the driver's field of vision are not permitted; wiper blades must clear the screen effectively; washer fluid must be present.

The vehicle's registration certificate (registreringsattest) must be carried or available; the number plate must be legible and correctly mounted.

For a category C1 light truck, maximum authorised mass (MAM) is 3,500 kg; the vehicle's own weight plus payload must not exceed MAM.

Maximum axle load must not be exceeded; the load must be distributed so that no axle is overloaded and steering axle load is not reduced below the minimum required for safe steering.

Maximum permitted dimensions for a light truck: width 2.55 m, height 4.0 m, length 12 m for a rigid vehicle; a trailer may increase overall length to 18.75 m.

Load must be secured against shifting, rolling, and falling; use straps, nets, or bars with a combined lashing capacity (LC) at least equal to the load weight times the acceleration factor (typically 0.8 g forward, 0.5 g sideways).

Overhang: load may not project more than 1 m beyond the front or 2 m beyond the rear without marking; rear projection over 1 m must be marked with a red flag or reflective board.

Gross train weight (GTW) is the maximum combined weight of vehicle and trailer; it is stated on the registration certificate and must not be exceeded.

Weight tolerance: a 5% overload may be tolerated for certain enforcement purposes but is not legal; any overload reduces braking and handling and can invalidate insurance.

Load height must not obstruct the driver's view or the lights; the load must not obscure the number plate or rear reflectors.

EU driving time rules apply to goods vehicles over 3.5 t; a C1 light truck at or below 3.5 t may be exempt from the EU tachograph regulation, but Danish national rules on driving and rest still apply.

EU rules: maximum 9 hours daily driving, extendable to 10 hours twice a week; maximum 56 hours weekly; maximum 90 hours in any two consecutive weeks.

Breaks: after 4.5 hours of driving, a continuous break of at least 45 minutes is required; this may be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes.

Daily rest: at least 11 consecutive hours, which may be reduced to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests; weekly rest: 45 hours, reducible to 24 hours with compensation.

A tachograph record must be kept for the current day and the previous 28 days; records must be produced on request by enforcement officers.

For vehicles outside the EU tachograph scope, Danish rules require a daily rest of at least 8 hours and a break after 5 hours of driving; check current Danish traffic law for exact exemptions.

Driving time must not exceed the limits even if the vehicle is stuck in traffic; traffic jams do not count as rest.

Weekly rest cannot be taken in the vehicle cab; it must be taken in suitable accommodation.

At an accident: stop, secure the scene (hazard lights, warning triangle at least 50 m behind on rural roads, 100 m on motorways), call 112, and provide first aid.

First aid priorities: airway, breathing, circulation (ABC); do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic).

Use the vehicle's first-aid kit and fire extinguisher; a 2 kg dry-powder extinguisher is recommended for light trucks.

Warning triangle is mandatory in Denmark; place it where it is visible to oncoming traffic, not in the driver's own lane.

Safety belt must be worn by driver and all passengers; children under 135 cm must use an approved child restraint.

Fatigue, alcohol, drugs, and mobile phone use are major accident causes; handheld phone use is prohibited while driving.

Defensive driving: maintain a safe following distance, scan ahead 12–15 seconds, and anticipate other road users' mistakes.

In case of brake failure, use engine braking, downshift, and apply the parking brake gradually; do not pump the brake pedal if ABS is fitted.

Fuel consumption increases with speed; driving at 80 km/h instead of 100 km/h can reduce fuel use by 20–30%.

Use cruise control on motorways where safe; avoid rapid acceleration and heavy braking; anticipate traffic flow.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance; under-inflation by 0.5 bar can increase fuel consumption by 2–3%.

Idling wastes fuel; switch off the engine when stationary for more than 1 minute (unless in traffic).

Remove unnecessary roof racks and load; aerodynamic drag increases fuel consumption significantly at higher speeds.

Regular servicing (air filter, oil, spark plugs) keeps the engine efficient; a dirty air filter can increase fuel use by up to 10%.

Use the highest gear possible without labouring the engine; change up at around 2,000–2,500 rpm for diesel.

Plan routes to avoid congestion; use eco-driving techniques: smooth acceleration, early gear changes, and reading the road ahead.

A light truck must be registered in the Danish Motor Vehicle Register (Motorregisteret) and have a registration certificate (registreringsattest).

Third-party liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring) is mandatory; driving without it is a criminal offence.

The vehicle must pass periodic technical inspection (syn) and display a valid inspection sticker if required.

EU driving licence category C1 is required for vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg; a C1 licence requires a medical certificate and periodic renewal.

For hire or reward, a driver qualification card (chaufføruddannelsesbevis) may be required; check current Danish rules for C1 vehicles.

Road tax (vægtafgift) and insurance must be paid; failure to pay can result in the vehicle being clamped or deregistered.

The registration certificate must be kept in the vehicle or be available for inspection; it contains the vehicle's MAM, axle loads, and dimensions.

When selling a vehicle, the seller must notify the Motor Register within 14 days; the buyer must register the vehicle in their name.

In rain, snow, or ice, increase following distance and reduce speed; braking distance on wet asphalt is roughly double that on dry, and on ice up to ten times.

Aquaplaning occurs when water depth exceeds tyre tread; ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and hold the steering steady.

Fog: use fog lights only when visibility is below 50 m; reduce speed and use dipped headlights; do not use full beam.

Ice and snow: use winter tyres (mandatory in winter conditions in many EU countries; in Denmark, winter tyres are not legally required but recommended).

Strong crosswinds affect high-sided vehicles; reduce speed and be prepared to correct steering, especially on bridges and open stretches.

Tunnels: switch on dipped headlights, keep a safe distance, and observe variable speed limits; in case of fire, stop, switch off engine, and evacuate to the nearest exit.

Night driving: reduce speed so you can stop within the illuminated distance; use dipped headlights when meeting traffic.

Hazard perception: scan for pedestrians, cyclists, and children near schools, bus stops, and parked cars; anticipate door opening and sudden crossings.