Traffic Rules and Road Signs
Category C1 covers goods vehicles with a permissible maximum weight over 3,500 kg but not more than 7,500 kg. The Danish theory test checks that you can apply ordinary traffic rules to a vehicle that is heavier, wider and slower than a car, and that you can read the signs that specifically restrict goods vehicles.
Speed and position
- Denmark drives on the right. General limits for a C1 truck over 3.5 t are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 80 km/h on motorways unless a sign shows a lower limit. The motorway limit is lower than the 130 km/h car limit because of the vehicle's weight.
- Keep right and use the left lane only for overtaking. Goods vehicles can be banned from overtaking on signposted stretches.
- Keep at least a two-second gap in good conditions; double it in rain and increase it further on ice.
Priority and signing
- At unmarked junctions, yield to traffic from the right. In a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating.
- Sign shapes matter: a red-bordered circle is a prohibition, a red triangle is a warning, a blue circle is mandatory and a rectangle gives information.
- C1-relevant signs include maximum gross weight, maximum axle weight, maximum height, width and length, no goods vehicles, and no overtaking by goods vehicles. An exception plate such as adgang tilladt allows entry only to reach a property, not to use the road as a through route.
Worked example
You approach a street with a red circle showing a lorry and 3.5 t. Your C1 vehicle has a permissible total weight of 5,200 kg. May you enter to deliver? The sign prohibits goods vehicles over 3.5 t. The exception plate permits access to premises. You may enter only if the delivery address is on that street and you use the shortest sensible route. You may not use the street as a shortcut.
Traps that cost marks
Remember that C1 is over 3.5 t, so goods-vehicle bans and lower truck speed limits apply. A weight-limit sign is not advisory. Do not overtake on a stretch with a goods-vehicle overtaking ban, and do not treat an access exception as a general permission.