How to Drive Safely in Iceland

We’ve all seen the bad habits: an excessive need for speed, unwrapping sandwiches in the passenger seat, executing a deep pimple cleanse in the rearview mirror, shouting the word “bastard!” at every vehicle that wrongs you, the mindless babbling to oneself, the careless thumbing of the radio dial, the scrambling around for that lost USB wire…

Only a handful of examples that prove, in the inner containment of one’s own steel bubble, things are rarely as safe as they might appear.

It’s all very well choosing to trust others on the road, but can you trust yourself?

Thankfully, Iceland’s population is small, meaning far less traffic for the visitors dilly-dallying from one attraction to the other. Then again, we do know that there are more cars in Iceland than people, forcing one to question who, or what, is really running things around here.

We’re not trying to recreate a traffic intersection in Rome. We want to avoid the staggering queues of the M25. We have no interest in Road Rage or watching the Fast and Furious 15. The last thing I want to see, personally, is more drivers tearing up and down the city’s streets. This is a peaceful country, and cars of all things should not put a dampener on that.

The Three Cardinal Rules

Instead, I’d like to instal on our visitors that Iceland’s wide open landscapes and empty stretches of road will often draw out the worst of Lewis Hamilton in us. And so, besides from avoiding driving like a total “bastard!”, one should consider the Three Cardinal Rules of Driving.

The Three Cardinal Rules of Driving should be abided by at all times; failure to do so is punishable by a traditional 11th Century execution at Þingvellir. The rules are as follow:

1. No Stopping Arbitrarily by the Roadside.

Yes, while it’s true that Iceland does have staggeringly beautiful natural attractions, rightly set aside from the rest of the country, it is just as true to say that they have adjacent car parks. 

The rest of the countryside, charming as it is, is often overwhelming to first-time visitors—visitors who feel the compulsion to suddenly pull their car over to the side of the road, whip out their phones and start photographing the #Sunset.

I’m afraid this is too dangerous for other motorists, so to avoid the Hanging Rock, please avoid doing so in the future. Besides, there are sightseeing laybys every 1000 metres or so, so practise patience.

2. Winter Tyres in Winter

This one goes without saying and yet, it must be said. Even the newest drivers to our roads know that rain, snow, sleet and ice will abolish much of the friction we feel whilst travelling, meaning that vehicle brakes are less effective, speeding is infinitely more dangerous and the chances of crashes far higher. 

Winter tyres nullify that somewhat as they are built with more rubber and silica, thus avoiding the pitfalls of the more loosely structured summer wheel. 

Any rental company should be able to tell you in advance, and according to your plans, exactly which vehicle setup you will require in order to keep safe whilst driving. 

3. Calm Your Driving Demons 

Sometimes when driving, feelings of impatience, arrogance and all-around nastiness begin to arise. Whether its the subtle, subconscious nervousness that comes with speeding at around far beyond walking-pace, or the persistent rudeness of other drivers, something in our inner-monologue is ever whispering “careful now… don’t mess this up...”

• See Also: The 7 Best Spots for Peace, Quiet and Silence in Iceland

That’s a very good thing, while at the same time, can also make us a tad edgy. Of course, some drivers are very relaxed (some even too relaxed), but as long we maintain our awareness, our sanity and our control of the vehicle, far fewer accidents lie in wait. 

Breathe. Be the car. And before that, take a look at some more useful information provided by other agencies and authorities in Iceland. 

• Here are live updates of road conditions.
• And here is what the Icelandic Transport Authority has to say about driving in Iceland.
• You can also check out our Ultimate Guide to Transport in Iceland.

A Rundown on Driving in Iceland

All mountain roads, largely applied to those in the interior of Iceland, have a gravel surface. The same applies to large sections of the national highway, which also has long stretches of asphalt. The surface of the gravel roads are often loose, especially along the sides, so one should always drive carefully here, slowing down whenever an oncoming car approaches. 

• See Also: A Snapshot of Iceland | Facts, Figures and Information

The mountain roads are also often very narrow and are not made for even an inch of speeding. The same goes for many bridges, which are only wide enough for one car at a time. In addition to not having an asphalt surface, the mountain roads are often very winding. Journeys, therefore, often take longer than might be expected, so make sure to prepare in advance.

The general speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on asphalt roads.

Please note: special warning signs indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally not a separate sign to reduce speed.

Please choose a safe speed according to conditions.

Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times, day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is forbidden.

Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are required by law to use safety belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Motor vehicle insurance

A Green Card or other proof of third-party insurance is mandatory for motorists driving their own cars in Iceland, unless you are from one of the following countries:

Drivers without a Green Card (or equivalent) must buy a separate third-party insurance policy on arrival. 

Filling stations: 

In the greater Reykjavík area filling stations are open Mon-Sat 07:30-20:00, Sun 09:00-20:00 (Oct- May 10:00-20:00). Many of the filling stations are open until 23:30.

Opening hours around the country, where the pumps are privately operated, can vary from place to place. Most stations are open until late in the evening, to 22:00 or even 23:30.

Many stations in the Reykjavík area have automats in operation after closing, which accept 1000 krónur bank notes, credit and debit cards. Automats are also operated in various places around the country.

Octane levels in Iceland are 92 regular unleaded, 98 premium leaded and premium unleaded 95. 

Roads to the Icelandic Highlands

Most mountain roads are closed until the beginning of July, or even longer because of wet and muddy conditions which make them totally impassable.

When these roads are opened for traffic many of them can only be traversed by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

• See Also: Top 5 Places to Visit in the Highlands of Iceland 

It is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together.

Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Icelandic Road Administration (ICERA) Tel: +522 1000 or 1777. 

A booklet called Mountain Roads can be obtained at Tourist Information Centres and the offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board abroad. Always take along a detailed map.

Other Ways of Getting around

Getting around in Iceland is easy during the summer but can be difficult during winter. The domestic airlines provide the only reliable form of transport in the winter when snow and ice prohibit most overland travel.

In summer, the airlines have daily flights between Reykjavík and most major destinations. Iceland has no railways and its highway system is the least-developed in Europe.

• See Also: How to Travel in Iceland | The Top 5 Do's and Dont's

However, Bifreiðastöð Íslands (BSÍ), a collective organization of long-distance bus lines, does a tidy job of covering the country with a feasible network.

There are also a number of ferry services connecting ports. Car-rental agencies are found in most major towns. With its unsurfaced roads, steep hills and inclement weather, Iceland is hardly a cyclist's dream.

Nevertheless, an increasing number of visitors are trying cycling as a mode of transport, and bikes can be rented in most urban centres, as well as at hotels, hostels and guesthouses.

Local transport includes municipal buses and taxis which can also be hired for sightseeing.

Driving Off-Road