Færdselsloven

Færdselsloven, or the Danish Traffic Act, is the principal statute governing road traffic in Denmark. It sets the legal framework for who may drive, how vehicles may be used, and how road users must behave in order to promote safety and orderly traffic. The act covers licensing, vehicle registration and roadworthiness, rules of the road, traffic signs and signals, and penalties for violations. It also defines the duties of drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists in relation to traffic safety.

The act is enacted by the Folketinget (the Danish Parliament) and administered in practice by the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen) in cooperation with the police. Courts interpret and apply its provisions, and municipalities may be involved in certain enforcement or administrative procedures.

Key areas include driving licenses, including eligibility, medical fitness, and categories; requirements for vehicle registration, inspection and equipment; and rules of the road such as speed limits, right of way, signaling, overtaking, lighting, and use of safety equipment (seat belts and child restraints). It also addresses consequences of violations, including fines, license suspension or revocation, and, for serious offenses, criminal penalties.

The legislation is periodically amended to reflect new road-safety priorities and EU directives where applicable. It forms part of Denmark’s broader traffic-safety framework and interacts with sector-specific regulations for professional drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.