Driving in Iceland: everything you need to know
I am on the Icelandic soil for less than thirty minutes when it’s my turn to collect the keys from my rental car company. What captures my attention during the bureaucratic procedure is a screen behind the desk. On it, slides are showing the road rules. There are several car rental companies at Keflavik airport, but only mine is showing these animated slides. It will take my entire stay in Iceland to understand why they decided to put so much emphasis on safety road rules. While I pay with my credit card that covers all the car insurance costs, including the collision damage waiver, I try to memorize the road code.
Photographing Iceland while driving
Driving through Iceland is a mesmerizing experience. The landscape change continuously, and you can feel the desire to snapping a photo after every curve. Moreover, the feel of being on a desolate land might induce in you the need of stopping the engine and take a picture. I had this impulse several times during my road trip around the Reykjanes Geopark. However, with my mind, I went back to the slides I saw after my arrival at Keflavik airport. On a red background, the slide informs to pulling over by the road. Never stop the car in the middle of the road, and make sure to pull over it in a safe location.
Things to know before driving in Iceland
If you are wondering about what side of the road Iceland drives on, the Iceland driving side is on the right. Like in the vast majority of European countries, this means that the driver’s seat is on the left-hand side of the car.
The speed limit in Iceland
In Iceland, the speed limit is 80 km/h on a gravel road and 90 km/h on paved roads. The speed limit decreases inside the urban centers where it is 50 km/h. These speed limits apply when the streets are in the best conditions. However, during winter, due to ice or snow on the roads, and in other situations of low visibility, these can significantly reduce.
Roundabouts
In Iceland, the inner circle has all priority typically. So, if you are not leaving the roundabout in the first exit, you should stay in the inner, left, lane.
Driving laws in Iceland
By law, you need to buckle your seat belts at all times. Younger children must sit on the child seat and wear seat belts too.
The use of a mobile phone is prohibited while driving.
It is compulsory to have headlights on at all times, on all the roads, all year round. This is because cars driving with no lights have an increased risk of an accident. During my Iceland itinerary, the weather was mostly foggy, and I felt natural the need of having them on during the daytime.
While I haven’t seen speed cameras, on the Golden Circle and in other locations I saw a speed detector. A face changing color and facial expressions tell you if you are respecting or not the speed limits.
Driving on Highland roads in Iceland
While I do not have direct experience with a four-wheel-drive in Iceland, I know that crossing a river might be forbidden even in four-wheel cars. In detail, there is a particular Icelandic traffic sign stating this. Four-wheel drive is allowed on steep roads where a regular car can’t circulate. One specific road sign indicates these roads. Moreover, highland driving might be more difficult during wintertime. Due to weather highland road conditions, Iceland might impose closures to all the vehicles, excluded super jeep. On the contrary, during summer, driving on Highland roads is very popular. In detail, only in this way you can discover the vast, central area of Iceland. Here passenger cars cant’s drive and are subjected to fines.
Good to know — You can get more advice on driving in Iceland on Safetravel.is
Practical information about driving in Iceland
Gravel roads are widely spread on Iceland and a particular traffic sign advises you when the way from pavement changes to gravel. If you see it, you need to slow down as tires can lose grip. You need to slow down also in the presence of danger signs advising the possibility of animals on the road. Besides, it is recommended to slowing down on single-lane bridges. In the presence of a blind crest, you should keep to the far right side of the road. As many people drive in Iceland on different types of cars, some ways might be forbidden to specific vehicles, likewise crossing rivers.
Good to know — The emergency number in Iceland is 112, while 1777 is for road information
How difficult is to self-drive around Iceland?
Driving around Iceland is quite easy. All the main touristic attractions are indicated. Moreover, maps on-premises show your exact location and often show other points of interest in the proximity. After I left the superb The Retreat at Blue Lagoon hotel, I found many road maps showing directions. Driving in Iceland is safe — or at least this was my dominant feeling.
Parking in Reykjavik
Before leaving for Iceland, I was worried about the parking situation in Reykjavik. This was due to a previous bad parking experience during my three days in Copenhagen. For this reason, I contacted the beautiful Sand hotel where I stayed in Reykjavik to ask for more information. The reality surpassed their reassurances. In Reykjavik, you can find parking spaces easily around the city. In particular, nearby Reykjavik’s main attractions downtown there are many outdoor parking areas. Signaled by a combination of letters and numbers, you can pay per hour or a fraction of inserting coins or credit cards. Moreover, there are free of charge parking areas in downtown near the iconic Hallgrimskirkja church.
Refill with petrol in Iceland
My main concern was about filling the car with petrol before leaving Iceland. As I had a return flight early in the morning, and I wasn’t familiar with Keflavik airport, I decided to return the car the night before. I booked a fantastic stay at the Hotel Berg and used their airport shuttle the following morning.
There are several gasoline stations near the airport, and my car rental agent assured me that the petrol’s price is the same everywhere. Reading the instruction in Icelandic could have been a drama, but luckily, everything was clearly explained in English too. Refilling my car with petrol at a self-service station has never been easier.
