Driving lessons

§ If this is the first time you are taking a category B licence, you must receive training from a driving instructor who is authorised for this category. The training must fulfil the requirements set out in the Danish Road Safety Agency's curriculum for category B and include both theoretical and practical training. You'll also need to have completed a road safety-related first aid course, and the course certificate must be handed in of the driving licence application must not be older than 1 year. The syllabus can be found on the Danish Road Safety Agency's website www.fstyr.dk and on www.retsinfo.dk.

When driving on public roads, an approved driving instructor must be at your side by you. The driving instructor is considered to be the driver of the car. When you perform drills on the closed practice area and on the driving training centre, must you're alone in the car.

Lesson plan

§ A lesson plan must be used in two copies during lessons. According to the provisions of the Driving Licence Order, you must have one copy and your driving instructor the other. The lesson plan must describe the lessons you receive in the theory classroom and in the school car. At the end of each lesson, both you and your instructor must sign the instructor's copy of the lesson plan to confirm that the lesson has been completed.

Once you have received theoretical and practical training up to "Manoeuvres on a driving test facility" (or section 9), you can be nominated for the driving test. You fill in and sign a special, authorised application form, confirming that you have received training that meets the requirements set out in the syllabus. You also confirm that the initial practical training has taken place in a closed practice area.

The application form is submitted to the municipality.

If you do not already have a driving licence, the following must be attached to the application form:
- Medical certificate with information about your health and medical condition and a 35 x 45 mm, unstamped, clear photograph with a doctor's signature on the back.
- Course certificate for a completed course in road traffic first aid.
- Documentation for your social security number in the form of a valid passport, original baptismal, name or birth certificate, health card or other suitable ID, and photo ID.
- Parental consent form if you are under 18 years of age.

The theory test

The theory test is written and usually lasts about half an hour. During the test, you will be shown a randomly selected test.

Students who are unable to take the written test due to special, documented circumstances can take a special theory test where the image series and tick sheets are also used.

The test room closes at the agreed time. If you arrive late and the test has started, you will have to pay to reschedule the test.

Before the test, you will be counselled about the test and its conditions. Among other things, you will be told how to fill in the tick sheet and that the use of aids is not permitted.

During the test, only the invigilator and the students have access to the test room.

For the theory test you need to bring

- Application that is completed and signed.
- Driving instructor's lesson plan completed and signed.
- Special ID, e.g. EU driving licence, valid passport (issued after 1 Oct. 1949) or original baptism, name or birth certificate, health card or other suitable ID, and photo ID.
- The test is graded according to a marking guide and you will receive your result immediately. If you've made mistakes, you'll be told which topics you've made mistakes on.

The practical test

The driving time must not be less than 25 minutes. During this time, the examiner must have time to assess your behaviour in traffic. In addition to the driving time, time must be spent on checking your identity, informing you about how your road test went, checking the vehicle's equipment and evaluating the test process, among other things. If necessary, the test period can be extended or cancelled if your driving skills are not good enough.

The test is conducted in an approved school car provided by you (your driving instructor). Next to you is the examiner. If you don't mind, the driving instructor can observe the test from the back seat.

As part of the test centre's quality assurance of the practical test, an additional test expert may attend the test after prior notification of the driving instructor.

During the test, you are considered the driver of the car and therefore the responsibility and obligations are yours. The examiner ensures the safety of the test and that you are not forced into abnormal traffic situations or forced to break the rules of the road. If it is necessary to intervene and use the car's controls for safety reasons or to avoid a collision, the examiner must do so.

If you make a few minor mistakes during the practical test, you can still pass. It is your driving as a whole that will be assessed.

Revocation and reinstatement

If the police have reason to believe that you no longer meet the conditions for holding a driving licence, they can revoke it or call you in for a driving test.

If you have already been disqualified from driving, you can only get your licence back by passing a driving test. If your driving licence has been suspended due to drunk driving, you must complete a course on alcohol, drugs and traffic (ANT course) prior to the driving test.

First-time licence holders (i.e. holders of a category A or B licence who have not yet held a licence for 3 years) must complete special driving instruction before taking the driving test when the disqualification is due to driving errors. If the disqualification is solely due to drink-driving, only a course in alcohol, drugs and traffic (ANT course) must be completed before taking the driving test. The special driving lessons must be completed with an approved driving instructor and must include at least certain lessons in a theory classroom and practical driving lessons.

What lies ahead?

The compulsory training you've now completed is the prerequisite for becoming a good driver. When you soon get out on the road on your own, you'll not only need to use what you've learnt in driving school, you'll also need to build on your skills and gain experience. Your understanding of the road will improve as you expand your experience of risks and hazards.

When you're "in the driver's seat", you may get a false sense of security, leading to a risky driving style. You should be considerate of other road users, but don't trust them blindly. It is up to you and you alone to assess the traffic situation and drive at a speed that allows you to stop at all times.

It's no coincidence that the Danish Council for Safe Traffic repeatedly organises campaigns to encourage drivers to slow down and think more carefully in traffic. Keep an eye out for these campaigns, but also for changes in traffic laws and news about traffic in general. You can also visit the websites referred to in the introduction.

Your driving licence is not your property, but a driving permit that you must comply with at all times.

You have a lot of responsibility as a driver, but you'll also experience a whole new level of freedom with your newly acquired licence - watch out for it.