The professional driver certificate (code 95) is obtained through the direct initial qualification test or an intensive course of 140 hours and is maintained with 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. Here are the rules, the age limits and the validity.
Introduction
Commercial bus driving requires a driver qualification certificate (certificate of professional competence) — popularly known as “the blue certificate” or the EU certificate. It is marked as code 95 on the driving licence or on the certificate itself.
Two routes to the initial qualification
- 01Initial qualification test (the direct test, since 1 October 2025) — no teaching requirement; you can study on your own or choose a course. Gives the lowest age limit.
- 02Intensive initial qualification course — at least 140 hours (about 4 weeks) at an approved training centre, completed with a written test.
- 03Both are completed at an approved training centre and lead to the same driver qualification certificate (code 95), but with different age limits.
Continuing education
The certificate is maintained with at least 35 hours of continuing training every 5 years at an approved training centre (classroom teaching + practical work). In Denmark this is typically run as a 5-day AMU course, and up to 12 hours may be taken as distance learning.
| Ratio | Requirement / rule |
|---|---|
| Continuing education | At least 35 hours every 5 years |
| Distance learning | Up to 12 of the 35 hours |
| Validity | Certificate/code valid for 5 years |
| Renewal in good time | Taken within 3 months before expiry → new 5 years counted from old expiry |
Direct test or 140 hours
Since 1 October 2025 the difference between the two routes is whether there is any teaching requirement at all (BEK 412/2025 §§ 14-15 and 19):
| Vej | Requirement | Test |
|---|---|---|
| Direct test | No teaching requirement | Written at least 4 h · driving test at least 90 min · practical test at least 30 min |
| Intensive training | At least 140 hours, including at least 10 individual driving lessons and 11 lessons of first aid | Written test |
The written part of the direct test requires 85 % correct answers (at least 50 % in each of the two parts), and no aids may be used apart from an ordinary calculator (the Danish Road Traffic Authority's test guidance of 23 June 2026; the requirement used to be 65 %). The old initial qualification course of 280 hours with 20 driving lessons could only be started up to and including 30 September 2025 (§ 62). A certificate from the old 280-hour course gives the same age limits as the direct test (§ 65).
What do you learn? (the subject of basic qualification)
The content is defined in annex I to directive (EU) 2022/2561 and covers three major professional areas that the driver must master — it is much more than being able to drive the bus:
- 01Rational driving based on safety rules: the vehicle's technical characteristics, defensive and energy-efficient (eco) driving, gear selection and use of engine brake/retarder, safe loading and passenger safety.
- 02Application of regulations: driving and rest time, tachograph, transport documents, rules for passenger transport and the market.
- 03Health, traffic and environmental safety, service and logistics: ergonomics and prevention of physical hazards, emergency handling, prevention of crime and illegal immigration, customer service and company image.
Follow-up training's 5 modules
The 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years consist of a compulsory module of 2 days, a sector-specific module of 2 days and an optional module of 1 day, in courses of at least 7 hours at an approved training centre (BEK 412/2025 § 22). The modules repeat and update the subject areas of the initial qualification — including defensive/energy-efficient driving, driving and rest times and the tachograph, passenger safety and first aid, as well as customer service and working environment. Up to 12 of the 35 hours can be taken as e-learning/distance learning.
Members only
The rest of the article is locked
Create a free user account to unlock all articles, calculators, templates and range — and get access to quizzes and classes. It takes less than a minute: name, email and a password. No payment card.
Want to try something first? See what you can use without an account — the junior zone, the encyclopedia, the videos and more.