Taking the English driving test in Denmark is insanely stressful!
Today, after months of studying and stressing, I passed the Danish driving theory test with 5 wrong answers, which is the lowest passing score, but enough to get me another 2 month temporary license and pass me on to the practical test :)
Converting a Non-EU License to a Danish License by Taking the English Driving Test in Denmark
If you are in the unfortunate situation of having to convert a non-EU license to a Danish license by taking the English driving test in Denmark, I offer you my deepest sympathy. And some advice:
1) The best way to prepare is to take practice tests. I know there aren’t a lot of English study materials, but don’t rely on the free English versions of the Danish practice theory tests that are put out by driving schools in an attempt to intimidate you and get you to sign up for classes. I used this service, which sells 10 practice tests for 80 kr. I made PDFs of all the photos, questions, and answers, which gave me 250 scenarios to study. A few days before the test, I bought and took another 10 randomized tests, which was the closest I could get to simulating the actual test.
2) Ordinary Cars, the English version of the Danish driving theory book and study materials, is nice to have, but it’s not enough to prepare you for the test. You need to study/take the practice tests! The theory test has little to do with how well you know the rules, and everything to do with how well you take the test.
3) I’d be wary of signing up to a license conversion program from a driving school. It’s much more cost effective to self-study with the practice tests and hire an instructor ad hoc to answer questions and evaluate your driving/readiness for the practical test. You already know how to drive, and you do not need theory classes, you need to practice taking the test, and you can do that on your own!
4) They’ve recently launched an English version of the theory test. According to the guy giving the test, it has a high failure rate due to discrepancies in terminology between the study materials and the actual test. There were four of us taking the test. Two were taking it for the second time, but we all managed to pass this one!
English Driving Test in Denmark: The Theory Test
The actual English driving test is quite similar to the practice tests, except the photos are projected onto a screen, the questions are only given verbally, and you mark your answers on a paper form.
My biggest challenges were:
1) The photo resolution is better suited to a computer screen than a projector, so it was difficult to see some of the details. I’m pretty sure that one of my misses was due to not being able to tell whether or not the lorry was using its turn signal. I gambled on that one and lost.
2) Unlike the practice tests where you can read and hear the questions and answers, the actual test is only given verbally, and they do not repeat anything. This was challenging for me because I process information best visually, and I missed some of the questions because I was still trying to understand the scenario and what they were asking.
3) The study materials are translated literally from Danish, so a lot of terminology seemed odd to me. Going in, I felt I had a solid grasp of the terms and how they applied to the test scenarios, but the way the test questions were asked did not always mirror the practice tests or the book, or the terminology I’m used to from the US, so sometimes I didn’t quite understand what they were asking. However, the English test is brand new, and people are complaining, so hopefully it will improve with time.
Anyway, all is well that ends well! I’m so happy that this is behind me and never to be dealt with again :)
Now on to the practical test, which I’ll need to take through an interpreter!
P.S. If you’re an expat trying to convert a license by taking the English driving in Denmark, and you have questions, feel free to contact me via comments or email. I’m sure you can use all the help you can get. I know I did :)
Kim Welch says
Woohoo!!!!!!!! Congratulations!
Pernille says
That’s awesome :D Congrats!! :-)
When is the driving test then?
Debbie says
Yeehaw!! Congratulations Sage!!! That is just wonderful. I don’t think I could pass that test, as like you, I am a visual learner NOT an audio learner….wow, it really sounded difficult. BUT it is over…good luck on the practical!!!
janice says
Congratulations Sage!
janice says
Congratulations Sage!
smilingsurfer says
I’m so happy for you, Sage :)
All of your preparation is paying off.
Congratulations, and best of luck!
Hary says
Hi Sage,
I live in Horsen, Could you please advise me on taking written test in English as well could you share some online Test material. Thanks Hary.
Sage says
Hi Hary,
It’s been several years since I’ve taken the test and there have been changes to the process since I took my test. I suggest that you contact a driving school in Horsens. They should be able to sell you (or tell you where to buy) practice tests. There is also an English study book called “Ordinary Cars.” If you can’t find someone in Horsens to help you with the English materials, then try Aarhus.
Good luck :)
Sage
Anna says
Please, does anybody know where I can buy “Ordinary Cars” or another helpfull theory book when studying for the driving license? Thank you
Sage says
Try the library. If your local library doesn’t have it, they should be able order it for you.
Anna says
Thanks. Unfortunatly it will be months before they have it availeble.
Sage says
How annoying! I bought mine from an online bookshop, but they’re not selling it anymore. Perhaps a local bookshop could order it for you? Or have you asked in some of the Facebook groups for expats in Denmark?
Anna says
THank you so much for your kind help. I have now managed to order it at the library. Expecting it in a few days. Thank you
Sage says
That’s great news! I’m glad I was able to help at least a little bit. Good luck with the test. It was nerve wracking, but not impossible. The most important thing is to study the sample tests and get used to the (odd) way they ask the questions, and what they expect you to notice in each type of photo.
Mia says
Hi Sage,
Today was my 2nd theory test and I have failed again, as you said I don’t really understand some of the questions even tho I have bought 2 learning website seems doesn’t help and I studied every single day more then once a day. I don’t know what I did wrong any suggestion? I am desperate.
Sage says
Oh, no! I’m sorry to hear. Have you tried studying the patterns in the questions? It’s been a long time since I took the test, but I remember thinking that it was more important to find patterns in the “what should you pay special attention to” questions, then to know the regulations. Basically, you have to study “to” the test instead of “for” the test. I also remember that basically any questions about overtaking or involving cyclists should be answered that you shouldn’t do it. Like they’d show a photo and ask if it was safe to overtake (as an experienced driver, I would) but the answer would always be “no.” I hope that helps. That test was a special kind of hell :(