Denmark: no nationwide truck driving ban. Local and route restrictions may still apply, see below.
Denmark has no nationwide Sunday or public holiday driving ban for trucks. Heavy goods vehicles may run on Sundays and public holidays across the whole country without a general calendar restriction. Truck movement is shaped instead by environmental zones (miljozoner) in five cities, by dangerous goods rules on the Oresund crossing, and by permit rules for special and heavy transport. Public holidays bring heavier passenger traffic but driving stays legal.
Next 30 days
Denmark: no scheduled nationwide driving bans. Local and city restrictions are described below.
Public holidays with truck bans — Denmark 2026
| Date | Holiday | Ban time | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Maundy Thursday | No general ban applies | ||
| Good Friday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| Ascension Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Whit Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Whit Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| Christmas Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Second Day of Christmas | No general ban applies |
Exempt from the ban
Fines for violations
- Environmental zone violation (truck or bus): 12,500 DKK
Environmental zones (miljozoner)
Five Danish cities operate environmental zones: Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg. Diesel trucks and buses over 3.5 t may enter only if they meet Euro VI or carry an approved retrofitted particle filter. The requirement has applied to trucks and buses since 1 July 2020 and is set out in the technical environmental zone order (Bekendtgorelse nr. 315 af 25/03/2025). Enforcement is automatic through number-plate cameras linked to the vehicle register. The fine for a non-compliant truck or bus is 12,500 DKK. Foreign-registered vehicles are covered by the rules, with an exemption for trucks and buses over 30 years old. Retrofitted filters must be documented with a signed installer declaration registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Bridge and tunnel crossings
The Great Belt (Storebaelt) and Oresund fixed links carry freight normally against a toll. On the Oresund crossing the tunnel is classed as ADR tunnel category D from 06:00 to 19:00 and category B from 19:00 to 06:00, which restricts loads that could cause a major explosion, poison release or large fire during the daytime window. Restrictions do not apply to dangerous goods that fall under the ADR 1.1.3 exemptions. The Great Belt has no special dangerous goods restrictions beyond standard ADR rules. Special or heavy transport on either link requires a police permit and advance notice to the crossing's traffic centre before arrival.
Basic driving rules for trucks
Trucks over 3.5 t are limited to 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h on rural roads and motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per thousand. Dangerous goods transport follows ADR rules, supervised by Faerdselsstyrelsen, the Danish Road Traffic Authority.
FAQ
Are trucks banned on Sundays in Denmark?
No. Denmark has no nationwide Sunday driving ban for trucks. Heavy goods vehicles may operate on Sundays anywhere in the country.
Do public holidays stop truck traffic in Denmark?
No. There is no general public holiday driving ban for trucks in Denmark. Freight transport stays legal on all Danish public holidays, though passenger traffic is heavier on those days.
Are there environmental zone restrictions for trucks in Danish cities?
Yes. Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Odense, Aarhus and Aalborg operate environmental zones (miljozoner). Diesel trucks and buses over 3.5 t must meet Euro VI or carry an approved particle filter. The rule has applied to trucks and buses since 1 July 2020 and is enforced by automatic number-plate cameras. A violation costs 12,500 DKK.
I transit Denmark towards Germany or Sweden. Do their bans affect my plan?
Germany has a nationwide Sunday and public holiday ban for trucks over 7.5 t from 00:00 to 22:00, plus a summer Saturday ban on listed routes. Sweden has no general weekend or holiday truck ban. Denmark itself imposes no such calendar ban, so plan around the German ban when heading south.
Are there restrictions on the Great Belt or Oresund crossings for trucks?
Trucks use both fixed links normally against the toll. The Oresund Tunnel is classed as ADR tunnel category D from 06:00 to 19:00 and category B from 19:00 to 06:00, which restricts certain dangerous goods loads by time of day. The Great Belt (Storebaelt) has no special dangerous goods restrictions beyond standard ADR rules. Special and heavy transport on either crossing needs a police permit and advance notice to the crossing's traffic centre.
Which basic road rules apply to trucks in Denmark?
Trucks over 3.5 t are limited to 50 km/h in towns and 80 km/h on rural roads and motorways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 per thousand. Standard ADR rules apply to dangerous goods.
Official source
- Faerdselsloven (Danish Road Traffic Act), LBK nr 1710 af 13/08/2021 - Retsinformation
- Road rules and safety in Denmark - Your Europe (European Commission)
- Rules for trucks and buses in environmental zones - Miljoezoner.dk (Danish Environmental Protection Agency)
- Transport of hazardous goods - The Oresund Bridge (Oresundsbro Konsortiet)
- Safety on the Great Belt Bridge - Sund & Baelt
- Transport of dangerous goods - Faerdselsstyrelsen (Danish Road Traffic Authority)
Rules can change on short notice. Verify with the official sources above before dispatch.