Everything You Need To Know About Road Signs in Iceland

Common and Important Road Signs in Iceland

In Iceland, there are various types of common but vitally important road signs. They are usually on roadsides, highways, and near intersections, making them easy to spot.

The sign's colors and shape indicate its type. Keep reading to learn about Iceland's different types of signs, including traffic, informative, warning, mandatory, and advisory signs.

Prohibitory Road Signs

Prohibitory road signs are used on all road types to inform drivers about what vehicles are allowed to use the road and what rules apply to different types of vehicles. These include restrictions on turning around, driving too fast, and parking in prohibited areas.

These signs are easily visible on the roadside, often near intersections and crossroads, and sometimes on bridges. Prohibitory signs are usually circular, with red borders, yellow backgrounds, and black text.

Speed Limit Signs

Speed limit signs are a must-read when driving in Iceland, as they help manage road safety. These signs feature a black number indicating the maximum speed allowed in kilometers per hour (kph).

Prohibited Entry Signs

These signs restrict entry to specific roads or areas. A red circle with a yellow line across the middle means the road is closed to all vehicles.

Additionally, some signs prohibit specific vehicle types, such as trucks, bicycles, or snowmobiles. These signs are yellow, with a red border and a red line through the middle. The center displays the image of the prohibited vehicle type, for example, a bicycle, motorbike, truck, or snowmobile.

Prohibited Stopping or Parking

These signs indicate areas where stopping or parking is not allowed. The blue circular signs feature a red border, with the prohibited parking sign showing a diagonal red line and the prohibited stopping sign showing a red cross. You'll often see these in high-traffic areas.

End of Zone Signs

If you see a sign with four black diagonal lines through the middle, it highlights the end of a zone. This can indicate the end of a speed zone, a special driving zone, or an overtaking prohibition zone. These signs help manage traffic flow in restricted areas.

Stop Signs

Stop signs are among the most common road signs globally and in Iceland. These are eight-sided, with a red background, white border, and the word "STOP" written in white. They’re placed at intersections where a full stop is required for safety.

Other Examples of Prohibitory Signs

You may come across other prohibition signs that should be easy to identify. Numbers with arrows highlight weight, height, and width limits. Direction signs with a red diagonal line through the middle indicate that type of turn is illegal.

Warning Road Signs

Icelandic road signs come in different colors to warn drivers about potential hazards along the way. These include signs indicating road curves, priority signs, dangerous road surfaces, and reminders to watch for pedestrians or animals in the area.

Warning signs are triangular signs with red borders, yellow backgrounds, and black text.

Signs Indicating Changes to the Road's Direction

These signs feature black shapes in the center to indicate that the road ahead is changing. They could show a bend to the left or right, a double curve, or a black cross warning of a dangerous intersection. These signs are especially common on rural roads and mountain passes.

Give Way Sign

The Give Way sign in Iceland is an upside-down triangle with a yellow background and red border, indicating that drivers must yield to other traffic.

Junction Signs

These indicate an upcoming junction or crossroad. You'll be able to see from the symbol in the middle which side the intersection is on and what angle the road is coming from. You’ll encounter these signs especially near towns, airports, and major tourist attractions.

Warning Signs With Animals or People

Watch for signs with images of animals (like reindeer or Icelandic horses) or people. These signs warn you that these hazards are likely in the area. Always slow down, especially on rural roads where livestock or people may be crossing.

Road Conditions

Some signs warn of dangerous road conditions ahead. A snowflake icon indicates icy conditions, while other signs alert drivers to slippery roads or hazardous verges. These signs are most common in Iceland in winter, especially on remote roads and mountain paths.

Other Warning Signs

Use your best judgment when it comes to warning signs, and remember that a picture says a thousand words. Pictures may indicate loose gravel, risk of avalanche or rockfall, bumps in the road, or a riverbank ahead. A sign with a black exclamation mark warns drivers to be careful.

Mandatory Road Signs

In Iceland, mandatory road signs are used where you are legally required to do something. They are not suggestions or information signs; they are some of the most critical road signs in Iceland that you should know about.

Failure to comply with mandatory road signs in Iceland can result in fines or other penalties, making it crucial for drivers to understand and obey them.

Mandatory road signs are circular with a white border, blue background, and white text.

Some symbols and pictures are the same as on the warning signs. For example, the roundabout sign has three arrows in a circle, showing the direction of traffic flow. You might see this on a mandatory sign (the blue circle signs) or a warning sign.

Direction Signs

These are easy to understand. Direction signs have an arrow telling you which way to turn—right, left, or straight. When there are two arrows, you can choose one of those two directions to turn.

A downward diagonal arrow tells you to keep to that side. Two small downward diagonal arrows show that you can pass on either side.

Paths for Specific Traffic Types

An image of a horse and rider, pedestrians, or bikes indicates the path is for that type of traffic. If there is a line between two pictures, that shows there are separate lanes for each type of traffic.

Parking Signs

Parking signs are relatively universal. Just look for a blue sign with a "P." Images on these signs tell you what type of vehicles can park there. For example, there could be a picture of a bus, truck, bicycle, car, ambulance, or disability vehicle.

Common Traffic Signs

Signs with an arrow pointing up or to the right indicate one-way traffic.

If you see a sign with a white symbol that looks like a large letter "M," it tells drivers there is a place for allowing oncoming traffic to pass.

A blue sign with a red and white symbol similar to a capital "T" means there is a dead end ahead.

Signs in Icelandic

Some informative road signs may include one or more Icelandic words, so learning these meanings is helpful to avoid confusion and frustration. These signs often have a symbol or supporting image.

A blue sign with an image of a camera may have the word "Löggæslumyndavél" underneath, which means "traffic enforcement camera" in English.

The word "stans" means stop in Icelandic, and you may see signs with this word at places like toll booths or busy junctions.

If you see the word "Snúningsrými," it translates to "rotational space." You might notice this word accompanied by an image of a truck and white around it. This sign shows that large vehicles may turn around in this area, with the white shape indicating whether the turning space is on the left or right.

The word "Út" means "out," and "Inn" means "in." Informative signs with one of these words will have an arrow showing the direction in or out.

Service Signs

Service road signs inform road users of valuable amenities in the area. Look for square signs with a white background and a thick blue border. These signs have a picture or symbol (usually in black) in the middle, indicating the service type.

Emergency services, such as a first-aid station, emergency phone, shelter, pharmacy, or fire extinguisher, have a red symbol rather than a black one.

The police office sign has a yellow and black badge in the middle, making it easy to distinguish.

You might observe a range of general service signs on Icelandic roads. Examples include accommodation signs for hotels, campsites, caravan parks, or rental cabins.

Signs for recreational facilities include swimming pools, horse tracks, sports fields, ski lifts, river rafting, and more.

You'll also find signs for useful everyday amenities, such as supermarkets—where you can buy groceries—food kiosks, banks, and ATMs. If you're planning to visit an Icelandic bakery, look for a blue and white sign with a black pretzel in the middle.

Traffic Lights in Iceland

Traffic lights in Iceland are similar to those in other countries, and drivers should be familiar with the general color meanings:

• Red: Stop

• Green: Go

• Amber (Yellow): This indicates that the light is about to turn red, so you should slow to a stop if you can do so safely.

Additionally, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Flashing yellow light: This light is a signal to take caution. Drivers should slow down and be aware of the road conditions ahead.

• Flashing green light: You might encounter a flashing green light, particularly at pedestrian crossings. This means the light is about to turn red, so be prepared to stop.

In urban areas like Reykjavik, you will also find pedestrian traffic lights with a green walking person symbol for when it’s safe to cross and a red hand symbol for when it’s not. Be sure to obey these signals to ensure safety.

In Iceland, turning right on red is not allowed unless there is a specific sign indicating otherwise. Always wait for the green light before turning.

If you encounter a malfunctioning traffic light, there may be a priority sign or police officers directing traffic, especially at busy intersections. While traffic lights are common in cities like Akureyri, rural areas often use roundabouts or priority signs instead.

Other Iceland Road Signs

Here are some more fun and interesting signs from Iceland. Some were a long-time standard, but others are still around, and you may even spot them during your road trip!

Outdated Road Signs in Iceland

Some Icelandic road signs have changed over time. The stop sign underwent two significant changes before the current eight-sided red sign. From 1945 to 1956, it was a blue sign with an upside-down triangular shape. It had a red border and the word "STANZ" in white.

Between 1956 and 1975, it was a yellow circle-shaped sign with a red border and a red triangle in the middle. The word "STANZ" was in black inside the triangle.

The old "be careful" sign was similar to the modern one because the colors and shapes are the same. However, previously, it had a black vertical line in the middle rather than the exclamation mark you see today.

Quirky Road Signs in Iceland

You may see some unusual road signs during your time in Iceland. Some might be official signs, such as the orange rectangular sign with three runners. This sign has the word "götuhlaup" on it, which means "street running."

Iceland is well known for its folklore, including legends of trolls, elves, and sea monsters. Keep your eyes open for unofficial warning signs of creatures lurking in the midst!

Icelanders take personal and environmental cleanliness very seriously. One thing they can't stand is finding evidence of human waste tainting the pristine landscapes. Iceland's countryside lacks toilet facilities in some places, and as a result, some people have made inappropriate toileting choices.

An unofficial sign began popping up around the country to curb this problem. It certainly looks official with its yellow background, red border, and black image of a person squatting with a poo on the ground. Of course, a red diagonal line through the middle indicates this is not okay.

Finally, keep an eye out for cute signs like the duck signs you'll see around Tjornin Lake in Reykjavik. They can make for some really charming photo opportunities!

FAQs About Driving and Road Signs in Iceland

Here are the most frequently asked questions about road signs in Iceland, helping you prepare for your trip.

What should I do if I encounter an unfamiliar road sign while driving?

If you come across a sign you don't recognize, it's best to proceed with caution. Pull over safely and consult a road sign guide or GPS device for clarification. When in doubt, prioritize safety and err on the side of caution.

Do I need to understand Icelandic to interpret road signs?

No. Most Icelandic road signs use internationally recognized symbols, making them understandable regardless of language proficiency. While some signs include Icelandic text, the accompanying symbols typically convey the necessary information.

Are there unique road signs specific to Iceland?

Yes, there are a few unique or rare road signs in Iceland, predominantly due to its terrain and wildlife. For instance, signs warning of sheep crossings are common, reflecting the free-roaming livestock. Additionally, signs indicating unbridged river crossings or one-lane bridges are prevalent in rural areas.

What happens if I get a parking ticket in Iceland?

Parking fines can generally be paid online. For example, for a parking ticket in Reykjavik, you pay on the Reykjavik City website. Unpaid tickets from rental cars are typically forwarded to the rental company, which may add administrative fees.

Can I use a GPS or phone navigation app to find my way in Iceland?

Yes. GPS devices and navigation apps like Google Maps work well in most parts of Iceland. However, in remote areas (especially the Highlands), signal may be unreliable — downloading offline maps is recommended.

Do I need an international driver’s license to drive in Iceland?

If your license is written in Roman letters (e.g., English, Spanish, French, etc.), you do not need an international driving permit. Otherwise, an official translation or international license is required.

What is the rule for yielding at roundabouts in Iceland?

In multi-lane roundabouts, the inner lane has the right of way, which is the opposite of what many drivers are used to. Be cautious and yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

Mastering Iceland’s Road Signs for Safe Travels

Road signs are essential for navigating Iceland’s roads safely. They keep drivers safe and highlight important locations, services, and amenities along the way. Understanding these signs is a crucial part of preparing for any driving adventure in Iceland.

Whether you're planning Reykjavik tours to explore specific attractions or embarking on a 5-day self-drive tour of South Iceland, knowing Icelandic road signs will allow you to drive with confidence. This way, you can focus on what truly matters—enjoying your Icelandic adventure!

Want to share your own Iceland driving tips? Have more questions about Icelandic road signs and what they mean? Drop a comment below to share or get answers.