Daily Life
Exchanging your driving licence, the 180-day clock
The one-line versionEU/EEA/Nordic licences stay valid and swap without a test whenever you like. Non-EU residents generally must exchange within 180 days of settling - sometimes with a test, depending on your country. The fee is DKK 520 (2026).
It depends where your licence is from
| Licence from | What applies |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA, Nordic, Switzerland, Faroe Islands | Valid until expiry; exchange optional, no test |
| Exchange-agreement countries | Swap without a test (extra declarations/docs needed) |
| Second-tier agreement (e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, Israel) | Swap without a test if you meet driving-history conditions; otherwise take a test |
| All other countries | Theory and practical test required to exchange |
Non-EU residents: the 180-day ruleIf you take up normal residence in Denmark and your licence is non-EU/EEA, you generally must exchange it within 180 days - after which you need a Danish licence to keep driving. Start early, because a required test takes time to arrange. UK licences issued after Brexit are treated as third-country.
What you'll need
- Passport and your current licence (category B / car).
- A residence permit or proof of residence if you are not a Nordic citizen.
- A doctor's medical declaration for non-EU/EEA licences.
- A certified translation if the licence is not in Latin script.
The fee and where to goExchange costs DKK 520 (2026). You apply at Borgerservice (citizen service) in your municipality - book an appointment. If your foreign licence is valid, you can often get a temporary Danish licence to use while the application is processed.
Sort it before the clock runs downIf you might need a driving test (non-agreement country), begin the process well inside the 180 days - lessons and test slots book up. EU/EEA holders can relax: your licence stays valid and you only swap if and when you want to.
Common questions
Do EU licence holders need to exchange?
No - it stays valid until expiry. You can swap for a Danish one without a test whenever you like.
How long do non-EU residents have?
Generally 180 days from establishing normal residence. After that you need a Danish licence to drive.
Will I have to take a test?
Depends on your country - agreement countries swap without one; others require a theory and practical test. Check your country's status.
Verified July 2026 against official sources: rejsekort.dk, rejsebillet.dk, danskretursystem.dk (deposit system), the Danish Road Traffic Authority and lifeindenmark.borger.dk. Fares, fees and deposit amounts are 2026 levels and change - always check the official apps and sites. General information, not legal advice.