Denmark

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Licence Required, Split by Vehicle Weight

Yes

Yes — Any business transporting goods for hire and reward in a truck or combination exceeding 3,500kg total weight needs a Community Licence (Fællesskabstilladelse), which covers both domestic transport and international transport within the EU. For vans between 2 and 3.5 tonnes, a separate van licence applies, but covers domestic Danish transport only.

CVR Registration Required First

Yes

Yes — The business must be registered with the Danish Business Authority and hold a Central Business Register (CVR) number before applying.

Professional Competence Requirement

Yes

Yes — The transport manager must have completed, within the last 10 years, a commercial transport (or freight haulier, for the van licence) course approved by the Danish Road Traffic Authority, including passing a written exam. An exemption from the course itself (though not the exam) is available for those with 5+ years of continuous employment in a supervisory transport role.

Financial Standing

Yes

Yes — Demonstrated in part through the company’s most recent annual report, audited by a state-authorized or registered auditor.

Establishment Requirement

Yes

Yes — The company must have an effective and stable establishment in Denmark.

Only the Licence Holder or an Employee May Drive

Yes

Yes — Only the holder of the goods transport permit, or a person employed by the holder, may drive the truck — with an exception for drivers hired through an approved temporary staffing agency.

Own-Account Exemption

Yes

Yes — A truck registered only for “company driving” (not for-hire goods transport) doesn’t need a permit in the vehicle, but may only carry the registered user’s own goods (owned, borrowed, rented, or being rented out by that user) — not third-party goods for payment.

Consumer Protection

Yes

Yes — The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (DCCA/KFST) provides consumer guidance through forbrug.dk.

Consumer Complaint Resources (For Movers Not Vetted as ITMs)

Yes, through a genuine two-tier system — The Danish Mediation Team for Consumer Complaints attempts informal resolution first. If unresolved, the matter can go to the formal Consumer Complaints Board (Forbrugerklagenævnet), whose decision either party may bring to court. The European Consumer Centre Denmark (Forbruger Europa) handles cross-border EU disputes.

Industry Association

DMF (Dansk Møbeltransport Forening / Danish Furniture Transport Association) — A real, dedicated moving-industry association established in 1901, operating as a specialized body under DTL (Dansk Transport og Logistik), with around 75 member companies. Mandatory liability insurance (flytteansvarsforsikring) is a condition of DMF membership.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Denmark splits goods-transport licensing by vehicle weight: a Community Licence for trucks and combinations over 3.5 tonnes, covering both domestic and EU-wide transport, and a separate, domestic-only van licence for vehicles in the 2–3.5 tonne range. Both require CVR business registration, a transport manager with approved professional competence training, demonstrated financial standing, and genuine Danish establishment. Only the licence holder or an employee (or approved temp staff) may drive the vehicle, and a separate own-account exemption exists for vehicles carrying only the registered user’s own goods. Denmark has a genuinely exceptional moving-industry association in DMF, established in 1901 and still actively engaged in shaping the regulatory landscape — including securing the 2019 introduction of the van licence category itself. On the consumer side, the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority backs a genuine two-tier mediation and complaints system.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Movers must:

1. Register the business with the Danish Business Authority and obtain a CVR number.
2. Apply for the appropriate licence — Community Licence for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, or a van licence for vehicles between 2 and 3.5 tonnes.
3. Ensure the transport manager holds approved professional competence training and has passed the written exam.
4. Demonstrate financial standing, typically via an audited annual report.
5. Maintain genuine, stable Danish establishment.
6. Ensure only the licence holder, an employee, or approved temp staff drive the vehicle.
7. Consider DMF membership, given its genuine, century-long standing in this specific market.
8. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with Danish consumer protection law.
9. Retain licence, CVR registration, transport manager, and consumer-compliance documentation as required for renewal and regulatory review.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

• Appropriate licence (Community or van) held from the Danish Road Traffic AuthorityRequired
• CVR registration currentRequired
• Transport manager holds approved professional competence training and passed examRequired
• Financial standing demonstratedRequired
• Genuine Danish establishment maintainedRequired
• Only licence holder, employee, or approved temp staff driving vehiclesRequired
• DMF membership consideredRecommended
• Consumer-facing practices compliant with Danish consumer protection lawRequired
• Licence, CVR, transport manager, and consumer-compliance records retainedRequired