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When you rent a car in Iceland, you give yourself the freedom of exploring this breathtaking country in your own time, and at your own pace. 

Self-drive tours are becoming increasingly popular among travellers. Book a self-drive tour with Guide to Iceland and you will be matched with a personal travel agent who will help you schedule your dream vacation in Iceland. Self-drive tours allow travellers to set out to see the incredible nature by themselves, but with full support from the Guide to Iceland customer service team should they need any advice or recommendations. 

Driving conditions in Iceland can be fairly challenging and the rugged landscape and unpredictable weather pose difficulties that many drivers may not have faced before. 

For those planning to drive while in Iceland, the following travel tips will prove useful for you.

Most car rentals in Iceland are based in the capital city, Reykjavík or by the international terminal in Keflavik International Airport (a 40-minute drive away from Reykjavik city centre). For travellers that plan on driving the whole time they are in Iceland, it's most convenient to pick up and return the rental car at the international airport.

It does not matter what time of day or night your flight arrives, you can pick up your car 24 hours a day at the airport. For travellers who booked a car for only part of their trip, there are options to pick up your car rental in Reykjavik city centre, which might suit you better. Some providers allow you to pick up the car in Keflavik and return the car in Reykjavik, or vice versa. 

 There are also high quality car rentals available around the country. Car rentals are available in most larger towns in Iceland's countryside, such as in Akureyri and Siglufjörður in the north, Egilsstaðir and Höfn in the east, Selfoss and the Westman Islands off the south coast, Patreksfjörður and Ísafjörður in the Westfjords and in Ólafsvík on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. 

There may be fewer options available in these towns outside of Reykjavik and Keflavik, but if you’re struggling to find car rentals to suit your itinerary, please contact us directly at info@guidetoiceland.is.

Please note, that even though you pay for the rental car using a debit card, most companies do require you to provide a valid credit card on the day of pick up.

Each car rental has their own unique insurance policies. These can be checked during the booking process. Your level of insurance will also be confirmed with you when you collect your car. 

Most car rental companies will offer you sand and ash protection and gravel protection insurance. This generally is advised by the companies due to the unpredictability of terrain in Iceland. However it is at your discretion whether or not you choose to accept these additional insurances.

The most travelled road in Iceland is its Ring Road (Route 1), which is a well-established road that runs around the island. If you plan on taking a road trip around Iceland, this is likely to be the road that you spend most of your time driving around. Being Iceland's most important road, it is well-maintained and open throughout the year, although extreme weather conditions can sometimes lead to temporary and partial closures, especially during the winter months. 

Route 1 is a single carriageway road, but traffic is rare in rural Iceland. It is, however, dotted with many one-lane bridges. The rule when crossing these is that the right of way goes to the driver who is closest, so always approach slowly to allow yourself time to make the correct judgement, even if you don't see anyone ahead. 

Most other roads, such as those leading to popular destinations (such as the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon) are tarmac. If you stray into the wilderness, however, you are more likely to encounter gravel tracks. These can be narrow and very bumpy, thus should be approached with caution, especially by those who are not used to driving in such conditions. They can, however, be driven on by all vehicles. 

F-Roads in Iceland are different and are only accessible if you rent a jeep or four-wheel drive car. However, they can be quite daunting and can involve crossing rivers and winding along narrow mountain passes. Only confident drivers should take these routes. 

Although they come with a unique set of risks, the roads in Iceland are perfectly safe to drive provided you take care while driving and know your limits.

It is imperative that travellers who rent a car in Iceland are aware of laws here. Some rules may be different to those of their home country, so it’s important to take note.

To rent a car, you must be at least 20 years old and have had a valid driver's license for at least one year. To rent a minibus or a four-wheel-drive car, you must be at least 23 years old. Your license must be in characters of the modern Latin alphabet, or accompanied by an official translation.

The speed limits are generally lower than in other European countries due to the hazards associated with driving in Iceland. The maximum speed limit on paved highways in the countryside is 90 km/h. On gravel roads the limit is lowered to 80 km/h, and in towns and cities it’s usually set at 50 km/h. If you are unsure or if the area is not signposted, it is best to assume that the speed limit is 50 km/h. 

Signs signaling speed are rare in Iceland, compared to places like the United Kingdom. More common are signs indicating specific hazards ahead, such as sharp bends or exposure to high winds, which should be taken extremely seriously. 

For safety reasons, motorists are obliged by law to keep their headlights turned on at all times, even during the summer months when the sun does not set. Blind corners are common, and the deep winters are notoriously dark; even at midday, it is barely brighter than during the twilight hours. So headlights will keep you safe all-year-round when travelling in Iceland. 

As in most countries, all passengers are required by law to wear a seatbelt. Driving under the influence of alcohol or using a mobile phone while driving is strictly forbidden. Speeding fines are expensive and there are many traffic cameras throughout the country.

It is only legal to travel F-roads if you rent a jeep or a four-wheel-drive car (4x4) and only if they have been opened for the summer season. It is against the law, and foolish, to travel on any roads that are cordoned off for safety reasons.

The fragile, delicate nature of Iceland's wildlife means that driving off-road, outside of official tracks, is strictly forbidden and punishable by fines of at least 350,000 ISK and even a jail sentence of up to four years. Much of the country's volcanic landscape has been formed over millions of years and the haunting moss that has settled across the rocks has taken centuries to grow. Driving carelessly through vegetation will cause catastrophic damages. Please respect our nature during your stay.

If you have an accident or need urgent help, call 112 for emergency services.