DRIVING IN ICELAND

The total road network in Iceland has over 25,000 km of roadways, of which approximately 70% are paved. You won't find motorways in Iceland, so you don't even pay a toll for them. The main road is Ring Road 1, which is 1,322 km long and runs around the entire island. You can only get inland on unpaved gravel roads (F-roads). Only 4x4 off-road vehicles are allowed on this type of road. The roads are generally open from June to September, depending on weather conditions. For up-to-date information on road passability, please visit https://umferdin.is/en

A simple rule applies on one-way bridges - whoever enters first has the right of way.

All passengers must also wear seat belts, including those in the rear seat. Also watch out for wild animals, especially sheep and horses, which are abundant on the island.

BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

Iceland has many one-way bridges, especially on the Ring Road, which runs around the entire island. There is a simple rule on these bridges - whoever enters first has the right of way.

You will also find a total of 14 tunnels that are open to regular traffic. Currently, only one of them has a toll, the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel, located east of Akureyri. Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes pay ISK 1 990 per pass. For more information, visit https://www.veggjald.is/en/pricing

As recently as 2018, there was a toll for the Hvalfjörður tunnel, which connects the capital Reykjavík with the western and northern parts of the island. The investment in construction has already been paid for, so the tunnel is now free. Compared to the original route, you will save almost an hour of time. 

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO THE VAÐLAHEIÐARGÖNG TUNNEL

SPEED LIMITS

Icelandic roads have the following speed limits:

• 30 - 50 km/h (populated areas)
  

• 80 km/h (gravel roads)

• 90 km/h (asphalt roads)
  

FINES FOR SPEEDING

Driving fast doesn't really pay off in Iceland. The fines are high and can cost you thousands of crowns. Although there is not a particularly dense network of speed cameras in Iceland, you still need to be careful. Most speed cameras only show your current speed but do not measure it (similar to the Czech Republic). Other speed cameras that do measure speed are marked with a "speed measurement" sign. You will definitely come across them in the larger towns and you will find a few in the south of the island where most tourists head.

There is no zero tolerance for alcohol when driving in Iceland.

Speed cameras are also carried out by the local police. However, these are more of a spur-of-the-moment operation at several locations at once. On the other hand, these events are not reported in advance. 

THE AMOUNT OF FINES FOR SPEEDING

• 26 km or more (area with a limit of 35 km/h) - 23 500 ISK 
• 36 km or more (area with a limit of 50 km/h) - 36 000 ISK
• 36 km or more (area with a limit of 60 km/h) - 47 000 ISK 
• 41 km or more (area with a limit of 70 km/h) - 55 500 ISK 
• 41 km or more (area with a limit of 80 km/h) - 74 000 ISK
• 41 km or more (area with a limit of 90 km/h) - 83 000 ISK

DRIVING AND ALCOHOL

There is zero tolerance for alcohol when driving in Iceland. Until recently, 0.05% was allowed, but since 2018 this amount has been reduced to 0.02%. That's roughly the equivalent of one large beer or one small glass of wine. However, it is individual and depends on how well a person breaks down alcohol. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

1. Weather and rapid changes in conditions: Iceland's weather can change drastically during the day. Within minutes you can experience sun, rain, fog and snow. It's important to keep an eye on the weather forecast and current conditions, especially on https://www.vedur.is/ for weather and https://umferdin.is/en for road conditions.
2. Strong winds: Winds in Iceland can be very strong and affect the stability of the car, especially on open roads and in mountainous areas. Be careful not to let the wind take your door when getting out and keep your hands firmly on the steering wheel when driving.
3. One-way bridges and narrow roads: Iceland has a lot of one-way bridges (especially on the way around the island). The rule of thumb is that the first person to cross the bridge goes first. On narrow roads, you need to be considerate of oncoming traffic.
4. Gravel roads and the "Malbik Endar" sign: Many roads, especially those leading inland, are only gravel. The "Malbik Endar" sign means the end of the asphalt - from here on, you'll be on a dirt and rocky road where you need to reduce your speed to avoid damaging your car from flying rocks.
5. Off-road driving is forbidden: Off-road driving is strictly forbidden in Iceland. Outside of marked roads, breaking this rule can be punishable by heavy fines, as the tundra is extremely sensitive to damage and regenerates very slowly.
6. Animals on the road: You may encounter free-roaming sheep or horses, especially in the summer months. Sheep often walk in groups and move unpredictably on the road, so you need to be careful and ready to react quickly.
7. F-roads and off-road vehicles: If you are planning a trip to the Icelandic interior, the so-called "F-roads" (mountain roads), you need an off-road vehicle with four-wheel drive. These roads are challenging, unmaintained and often involve fording rivers. F-roads are usually only open in summer.
8. Speed limits and cameras: Iceland has fairly strict speed limits - 50 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on gravel roads and 90 km/h on tarmac roads. Speed cameras are not as common, but fines for speeding are high.
9. Preparedness for the unexpected: In Iceland it pays to have warm clothes, a blanket, plenty of water and basic food in the car. In case of bad weather or road closures, you may have to wait longer.
10. Driving and alcohol: There is zero tolerance for alcohol when driving in Iceland. Until recently, 0.05% was allowed, but as of 2018 this has been reduced to 0.02%.