Danish Road Signs Explained in English

Shape: Triangular (point up) with a red border and white background

Purpose: Alert you to a potential danger ahead

Placement: Usually 150–250 metres before the hazard on rural roads, closer in urban areas

Common Warning Signs

• A11 — Dangerous curve — a sharp bend ahead, with the direction shown
• A16 — Uneven road — bumps or poor road surface ahead
• A17 — Speed bump — a raised speed bump ahead
• A19 — Slippery road — risk of reduced traction (common in winter)
• A21 — Pedestrian crossing ahead — be prepared to stop
• A22 — Children — near schools or playgrounds, expect children
• A23 — Cyclists crossing — bike lane or cycle path crosses the road
• A26 — Wild animals — deer or other wildlife may cross
• A31 — Road narrows — from both sides or one side
• A36 — Traffic lights ahead — signals at the upcoming intersection
• A43 — Roundabout ahead — prepare to yield when entering

Purpose: Indicate who has the right of way

These are among the most important signs for the theory test. Getting priority wrong is the number one reason people fail.

Key Priority Signs

• B11 — Yield (give way) — inverted triangle. You must give way to all traffic on the road you're joining. Often paired with "shark teeth" road markings
• B13 — Stop — the red octagonal stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, then give way before proceeding
• B15 — Priority road — yellow diamond shape. You have right of way at upcoming intersections
• B16 — End of priority road — the yellow diamond with a line through it. The right-hand rule now applies
• B18 — Priority at next intersection — shows a diagram of which road has priority (thick line = priority)

Shape: Round with a red border and white background

Purpose: Prohibit specific actions or set limits

Common Prohibition Signs

• C11 — No entry — red circle with white horizontal bar. Absolute prohibition
• C19 — No motor vehicles — cars and motorcycles prohibited
• C21 — No lorries — trucks over 3,500 kg prohibited
• C31 — Speed limit — the number inside the red circle is the maximum speed in km/h
• C33 — No overtaking — two cars side by side, one red
• C35 — End of speed limit / all restrictions — grey circle with diagonal lines
• C51 — No stopping — blue circle with red X. You cannot stop at all, not even briefly
• C53 — No parking — blue circle with single red diagonal line. You can stop briefly (up to 3 minutes for loading) but cannot park

Shape: Round with a blue background and white symbol

Purpose: Give mandatory instructions — you must follow them

Common Mandatory Signs

• D11 — Mandatory direction — white arrow on blue background. You must go in the direction shown
• D15 — Mandatory roundabout direction — circulating arrows showing the required direction in a roundabout
• D21 — Cycle path — cyclists must use this path
• D26 — Shared pedestrian and cycle path — both pedestrians and cyclists share the path
• D55 — Minimum speed — you must drive at least this speed (often on motorway lanes)

Shape: Usually square or rectangular with blue or green background

Purpose: Provide information about the road, facilities, or regulations

Key Information Signs

• E17 — One-way street — traffic flows in one direction only
• E19 — Pedestrian crossing — blue square with white triangle showing a crossing
• E21/E23 — Recommended speed — suggested speed (not a limit, but advisory)
• E33 — Parking — white P on blue background. Often with supplementary signs showing time limits or conditions
• E42 — Motorway begins — green sign with white motorway symbol
• E44 — Motorway ends — same symbol with red line through it
• E45 — Expressway begins — green sign for motortrafficway
• E49 — Built-up area begins — white sign with city name in black (default 50 km/h applies)
• E50 — Built-up area ends — same sign with red line through it (default 80 km/h applies)
• E53 — Zone with special rules — e.g., 30 km/h zone, parking zone
• E69 — Information board — various facility information

Shape: Small rectangular signs placed below the main sign

Purpose: Add conditions or clarify the main sign's meaning

Supplementary signs are often what make theory test questions tricky. They can specify:

• Distance — how far until the sign's rule takes effect or ends
• Direction — arrows showing which direction the rule applies
• Time — when the restriction is active (e.g., "Mon–Fri 7–9")
• Vehicle type — which vehicles the sign applies to
• Length — how long the restriction zone extends

Always look at the supplementary sign together with the main sign. For example, a speed limit sign with a supplementary sign showing "500 m" means the speed limit applies for the next 500 metres.