Driving licence in Greenland
You must have a valid driving licence to drive a car, lorry or bus in Greenland. Motorcycles are not permitted in Greenland, but mopeds and snowmobiles are. It is compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a snowmobile or a moped.
What kinds of driving licences are available in Greenland?
Driving licences are divided into three categories:
- Category B - ordinary car
- Category C - lorry
- Category D - large car
It is not possible to drive a motorcycle in Greenland. Mopeds may be driven by anyone over the age of 18, without a driving licence.
Do you need a driving licence for a snowmobile?
You do not need a driving licence for a snowmobile in Greenland. However, you must be over the age of 18 to drive a snowmobile. This also applies to the so-called ‘children’s snowmobiles’.
It is compulsory to wear a helmet when riding a snowmobile.
What requirements do you need to meet to obtain a driving licence?
If you have not previously had a driving licence, or if you wish to extend your licence to a new category, you must take a course of driving lessons for the licence category you want, given by an approved driving instructor. In addition, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be in reasonably good physical health and have a medical certificate
- Not be addicted to alcohol, narcotics or other intoxicating substances
- Pass a theory test and a driving test
For how long is a Greenlandic driving licence valid?
A Greenlandic driving licence is valid from the time you pass your driving test until you turn 70. When you turn 70, you must see a doctor, who will assess whether you can safely continue to drive.
After the age of 70, your driving licence will be valid for shorter periods:
- If you are 70, you can get a driving licence that is valid for four years
- If you are 71, you can get a driving licence that is valid for three years
- If you are aged between 72 and 79, you can get a driving licence that is valid for two years
- If you are 80 or over, your licence must be renewed every year
You must have a medical certificate each time you need to renew your driving licence.
If you have a medical condition, such as epilepsy or diabetes, which means you have been licensed for a limited period only, you must renew your licence before it expires. To renew your driving licence, go to your local police station. You must bring the following:
- A new health certificate, which you can obtain from your doctor
- A photograph, stamped by your doctor
- Your old driving licence
Can you use your Greenlandic driving licence in Denmark?
You can use your Greenlandic driving licence if you are in Denmark on holiday. If you have moved to Denmark, your Greenlandic driving licence will be valid for 180 days after your move. After that, you must exchange it for a Danish driving licence. To get it exchanged, you must pass a driving test or take two driving lessons with a Danish driving instructor.
If you move to another Nordic country and have a Greenlandic driving licence, you must apply to exchange your driving licence in your new country of residence. There can be various different rules on what is required in order to exchange a Greenlandic driving licence.
If you are staying in countries outside the EU/EEA, you must have an international driving licence. If you have a Greenlandic driving licence, you cannot be issued with an international driving licence. However, you can obtain an international driving licence if you have a Danish driving licence. To get an international driving licence, you must contact the police, and bring:
- Your Danish driving licence
- A passport photograph
- DKK 25
Can you use your foreign driving licence in Greenland?
If you are moving to Greenland, you must have a Greenlandic driving licence for driving in Greenland. If you have a Danish driving licence, or a driving licence from a Nordic country or another EU country, you can easily obtain a Greenlandic driving licence at your local police station. You must bring the following:
- Your driving licence
- A suitable photograph
- The completed application form
It costs DKK 200 to be issued with a Greenlandic driving licence.
If your licence is not from an EU country, you may need a medical certificate and a driving test before you can be issued with a Greenlandic licence. Your local police station can tell you more about this.
Please fill in our contact form if you have any questions or if you have encountered an obstacle in another Nordic country.
NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.
