Denmark Category TM Tractor Theory Test cheat sheet

Danish road traffic law (færdselsloven) applies to tractors on public roads; a tractor is a motor vehicle, so the driver needs a valid driving licence category for the combination actually driven (T for tractor, or B/E, C/E etc. depending on total weight and trailer).

A tractor registered for road use must carry valid registration (nummerplade), be insured under the statutory motor liability insurance (ansvarsforsikring), and pass the statutory periodic inspection (syn) at the intervals set for its registration class.

The driver must hold the registration certificate (registreringsattest) or be able to present it, and must be able to show driving licence and insurance on request by police.

Lighting, brakes, tyres, mirrors and warning equipment are legal requirements, not optional: a defect that affects safety means the vehicle must not be used on public roads.

Tractors used commercially are subject to driving-and-resting time rules; work in agriculture, forestry and similar may have exceptions, but the driver must know which regime applies before relying on an exception.

A tractor driver who causes damage or injury must stop, secure the scene, give help and identify themselves; leaving the scene of a personal-injury accident is a criminal offence.

Attaching or towing implements changes the legal vehicle: width, length, weight and lighting of the combination must still comply, and an unregistered implement towed on the road must meet the lighting and marking rules.

Special rules apply to agricultural machinery moving between fields, including possible local exemptions, but exemptions never cover driving without due care or with an unsafe vehicle.

Sign hierarchy: police signals override traffic lights, traffic lights override signs, and signs override road markings; a mandatory sign (blue circle) states a duty, a prohibition sign (red circle) states a ban.

Warning triangles (red border, white field) indicate hazards ahead such as a bumpy road, narrowing carriageway, cattle or agricultural vehicles, or a slippery surface.

Give-way is shown by the inverted triangle sign and 'shark teeth' markings; STOP is an octagon and requires a full stop at the line even when the road appears clear.

A yellow diamond sign marks a priority road; at its end, normal right-hand priority applies unless other signs say otherwise.

Traffic-light sequence in Denmark: red, red plus yellow, green, yellow, red; a flashing yellow means proceed with caution and follow the signs or right-hand rule.

Solid white centre lines must not be crossed; broken lines may be crossed when overtaking is safe, and hatched areas bounded by solid lines must not be entered.

Direction arrows in a lane bind the driver: choose the lane in good time, and a tractor that cannot keep up must not block a lane reserved for a mandatory direction.

A red-bordered circle with a vehicle symbol bans that class of vehicle; a tractor may be barred from motorways and some urban streets, so check signs before entering.

Default rule: at an unsigned junction the vehicle coming from the right has priority (højre vigepligt); a tractor emerging from a field track, farm drive or gravel road must give way to all traffic on the public road.

Turning left means giving way to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; turning right means giving way to pedestrians and cyclists continuing straight on the road being entered.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority unless signs state otherwise; signal to leave, and give way to cyclists and pedestrians at the exit.

Entering a priority road from a side road, the give-way or STOP sign applies to the whole combination, including a trailer still on the side road.

When reversing or turning a long combination, the driver must ensure the manoeuvre is safe and, where visibility is poor, use a helper; the driver remains responsible.

A tractor must not enter a junction if the exit is blocked by queuing traffic, even on green; blocking the box is an offence.

An overtaking vehicle must give way when the overtaken vehicle signals a left turn; a tractor signalling a left turn into a field must check mirrors and indicate early.

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have absolute priority; a tractor must stop before the crossing line and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

General speed limits in built-up areas are 50 km/h and outside built-up areas 80 km/h unless signs state otherwise; motorway limits do not apply to tractors, which are generally barred from motorways.

A tractor's constructional maximum speed (typically 40 km/h for a standard agricultural tractor, higher for a fast tractor) is the absolute ceiling regardless of the posted limit.

Speed must be adapted so the vehicle can stop within the distance the driver can see to be clear, and so that a following vehicle can stop behind it.

Safe following distance: use the two-second rule in dry conditions, double it in rain and multiply further on ice or with a heavy trailer; a loaded trailer increases braking distance.

Keep right on the carriageway; a slow tractor must let faster traffic pass where it is safe and legal, and must not hold up a queue over a long stretch.

Before overtaking, check mirrors, blind spots, signal, and ensure the whole combination, including the trailer, has room to complete the manoeuvre.

On narrow rural roads, reduce speed near crests, bends and field entrances; a tractor's width and overhanging implements can intrude into the opposing lane.

Convoy driving: keep a gap large enough for overtaking cars to pull in between tractors, and switch on hazard lights only where permitted.

A tractor-trailer combination needs a service brake acting on the trailer, a parking brake, and a breakaway brake that automatically stops the trailer if it separates from the tractor.

Air or hydraulic brake lines must be connected in the correct order and checked for leaks; the trailer brake must be tested before every journey.

The coupling must be locked and secured with a secondary safety connection (safety chain or cable) rated for the trailer's weight; an unlocked hitch is a common cause of runaways.

Trailer weight limits: the trailer's technically permissible maximum mass, the tractor's permissible towing capacity and the drawbar load must all be respected.

Tyre condition, tread depth and correct inflation are safety-critical on tractors; mismatched tyre sizes on an axle can affect braking and steering.

Lighting and signalling on the trailer must work: brake lights, indicators, rear position lamps, rear reflectors and a rear registration plate lamp.

A tractor's steering and brakes are designed for its own mass; adding a heavy trailer changes stability, so reduce speed and brake earlier.

Before moving off, walk around the combination to check coupling, hoses, lights, load security and that no person or animal is in the blind spot.

The combination must not exceed the tractor's permissible gross mass, the trailer's permissible gross mass, the permissible train weight or the permitted axle loads.

Load must be distributed so that the drawbar load stays within the tractor's permitted limit and the rear axle is not overloaded; too little drawbar load causes swaying.

Loads must be secured against sliding, rolling and tipping using straps, chains or lashing points rated for the load; friction alone is not securing.

Maximum dimensions for a tractor-trailer combination on public roads are set by regulation; exceeding width or length requires special permission and marking.

Overhanging loads must be marked: a projecting load needs a warning marker or flag, and at night a light or reflector, as prescribed.

Loose material such as grain or gravel must be covered or contained so it cannot fall onto the road; spilled load is the driver's responsibility.

Never carry passengers on a trailer or on an implement unless the vehicle is designed and approved for it with proper seating and restraints.

Check the load again after the first few kilometres; straps settle and loads shift, so re-tension before continuing.

Scan far ahead and to the sides; on rural roads expect cyclists, horse riders, pedestrians and slow agricultural vehicles around bends and crests.

Pass horses wide and slow; sudden noise or a close pass can cause a rider to lose control, so reduce speed and leave plenty of room.

Cyclists and pedestrians are unprotected: give them space, expect them to swerve around potholes or parked vehicles, and never overtake into an oncoming hazard.

Children, elderly people and people with reduced mobility may not judge a tractor's speed or size; slow down near schools, bus stops and farmyards.

Blind spots around a tractor and trailer are large; use mirrors and a spotter when reversing, and never reverse without knowing what is behind.

Defensive driving means assuming the other road user has not seen you: make eye contact, use indicators early, and be prepared to stop.

Weather and surface hazards: mud on the road from field work reduces grip; clean the tyres before leaving the field and warn following traffic.

Fatigue and long working days in the field are a real hazard; take breaks and do not drive when concentration is failing.

The Danish alcohol limit for driving is 0.5 g per litre of blood (0.25 mg per litre of breath); stricter rules and penalties apply to young and professional drivers.

Driving under the influence of drugs or medication that impairs driving is prohibited even if the substance is prescribed; check the label and ask a doctor.

If you are involved in an accident: stop, switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle at a safe distance, and call 112 for injuries or danger.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or traffic; keep them warm and still and monitor breathing.

Give first aid: check airway, breathing and circulation, control bleeding with pressure, and start CPR if breathing has stopped.

Exchange name, address, registration and insurance details with the other party; report the accident to the police when there are injuries or significant damage.

Fatigue: signs include yawning, heavy eyelids and drifting; the remedy is to stop and rest, not to open a window or turn up the radio.

After an incident, secure the scene, warn other traffic, and do not leave the vehicle in a dangerous position on the carriageway.