Denmark proposes allowing 17-year-olds to operate vehicles independently.
To enhance the everyday lives of families residing in rural areas, the Danish administration is advocating for adjustments in transportation. The proposed reform would grant 17-year-olds the liberty to drive unaccompanied, albeit under certain constraints.
Teenagers aged 17 with a valid driver's license might soon hit the roads by themselves during daylight hours, as per the extensive rural life improvement plan by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's cabinet. The idea is that these 17-year-olds will be permitted to drive sans an adult chaperone between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m.
This change would give them the independence to commute to work, school, or leisure activities, potentially simplifying life for families, according to Minister Morten Dahlin, who oversees matters related to cities and rural areas.
Strict alcohol prohibition for novice drivers
Concurrently, a strict no-alcohol policy is proposed for beginners in their first three years of driving, following the acquisition of a license. At present, the limit is 0.5 per thousand, regardless of the driver's experience.
Much like in Germany, it's currently acceptable for 17-year-olds in Denmark to drive while accompanied by an experienced adult driver. This regulation, in effect since 2017 in Denmark’s northern neighbor and in Germany itself, is aimed at helping novice drivers acquire driving experience and build familiarity behind the wheel.
However, the Road Safety Council (Rådet for Sikker Trafik) expresses concern about this initiative, predicting that it could result in higher fatalities and injuries on Danish roads.
The new law, allowing 17-year-olds to drive unaccompanied, includes a strict alcohol prohibition for the first three years of their driving experience. This is in contrast to the previous rule, where 17-year-olds could drive under adult supervision.
This strict no-alcohol policy is intended to ensure the safety of beginner drivers, as they adapt to their newfound freedom on the roads.
