Driving abroad can typically be just a little daunting, notably when you’re travelling someplace for the primary time. However it needn’t be… overcome that trepidation, and also you’ll quickly uncover that the independence that comes with renting a automobile (versus travelling on excursions or by public transport) greater than makes up for any preliminary fears you may need had.
And this couldn’t be extra true in a rustic equivalent to Iceland the place we predict the power to self-drive is a superb selection. In case your journey plans contain the land of Hearth and Ice, I’m certain you possibly can’t wait to discover the various glaciers, geysers and waterfalls, in addition to Iceland‘s many different pure wonders. However, earlier than you’re taking to the highway, it’s finest to be ready. Listed here are our high ideas for driving in Iceland.
Driving laws in Iceland
In Iceland, you drive on the appropriate and overtake on the left. Drivers and all passengers are required to put on seat belts by regulation. Infants and youthful youngsters should be seated in automobile security seats. For extra data on little one security in Iceland, see this hyperlink.
Your automobile headlights needs to be switched on when driving, no matter whether or not it’s day or night time. And there may be zero tolerance for driving drunk or medication. Don’t do it even when the principles in your personal nation could also be barely completely different. The minimal penalty for drink driving is a wonderful of 100,000 ISK and a 4 month ban. That’s round 700 USD at present alternate charges.
Additionally, don’t use a cell phone when driving. Using cell phones when driving is in opposition to the regulation. Should you should, it’s necessary to make use of hands-free tools while driving.
Be sure you protect Iceland’s distinctive ecosystem and untouched nature by staying on the roads! Off-road driving can be unlawful in Iceland and may also end in giant fines, and even imprisonment.
Pace limits in Iceland
You’ll need to concentrate on velocity limits – on your personal security (and that of different highway customers) and to keep away from hefty fines. In populated areas, velocity limits are typically round 30-50 km/h. On gravel roads, the nationwide velocity restrict is 80km/h and on main paved roads it’s 90km/h, however all the time examine the indicators simply to make certain as some circumstances could command a special restrict.
And don’t really feel that the boundaries are a goal – when you really feel extra snug driving extra slowly due to the prevailing circumstances, then don’t hesitate to drive at a velocity the place you’re feeling extra in management. If there are different automobiles eager to cross you, the standard customized is to sign together with your proper indicator if you see that it’s protected for them to overhaul.
Iceland’s Ring Highway has plenty of mounted velocity traps, in addition to patrolling police automobiles with cellular detectors. However don’t fear… I’ve a high tip so that you can keep away from getting caught! It’d shock you however one of the best ways to keep away from being fined for rushing is to not break the velocity restrict within the first place. OK, so speak about stating the plain, I do know… however a extra real tip is to make use of your cruise management (in case your automobile has it) to make sure you don’t unintentionally go over the restrict.
Should you select to hurry, then be ready to face the results – at finest, a rushing wonderful; or worse nonetheless, a critical accident. You gained’t essentially learn about it straight away (the wonderful, I imply… however the identical might be true of an accident!), however you would be in for a nasty shock when your rental firm costs your bank card weeks later on your driving misdemeanour.
The roads in Iceland
The roads in and round Reykjavik are of an excellent customary and effectively maintained. Roads within the countryside, then again, might be extra variable – doubtlessly rougher, narrower and extra hazardous than you could be used to. With greater than 8,000 miles of highway in Iceland, and fewer than 3,000 of these being paved, there’s a excessive chance that you’ll come throughout an unsealed highway floor throughout your travels.
Even on the Ring Highway, which tends to be an excellent floor a lot of the method, concentrate on smaller bridges that are normally single lanes, typically with gravel surfaces, with velocity limitations. Decelerate as you method them, particularly if you end up approaching one on the similar as one other automobile. The overall etiquette in these sitations is that the automobile closest to the bridge has proper of method, while the opposite car waits for them to cross.
On gravel roads, attempt to preserve your velocity low sufficient so that you just don’t throw free stones on to the aspect of your personal automobile. Equally, don’t drive too near automobiles in entrance of you and threat being caught by any free chippings that they throw up.
Solely enterprise on to Iceland’s F-roads when you have a 4×4 and are assured with driving on mountain roads.
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Parking in Iceland
Reykjavik is split into parking zones, marked P1, P2, P3 and P4, with P1 (the purple zone) being closest to the centre and likewise the costliest. Fee might be made simply utilizing the PARKA app, or you possibly can pay utilizing ticket dispensers in pay-and-display zones. In case you are outdoors these zones, then parking is free. Avenue parking in Reykjavik can be free outdoors of the hours of 9am-6pm, in addition to on Sundays. Completely different guidelines could apply for multi-storey automobile parks throughout the metropolis.
I like to recommend utilizing the PARKA app for different places in Iceland the place you might want to pay for parking, however you might also like to put in the EasyPark app as a substitute. (EasyPark acquired Leggia in 2017.)
Fuel stations in Iceland
A superb rule of thumb is to refill if the chance arises even when your tank is half full as you by no means know when the following alternative would possibly come.
Nearly all gasoline stations in Iceland are self-serve, with cost made earlier than you refill. You’ll simply want your debit or bank card and the related pin quantity. Should you’re filling for the primary time and aren’t certain which aspect of the automobile your petrol cap is on, then you definitely would possibly discover a small arrow displayed subsequent to your petrol gauge, pointing to the left or proper. That is an indicator of which aspect the gasoline goes in.
Fuel stations are normally open 24/7, which means you possibly can refill at any time of day, however the kiosk the place you will get help or buy different gadgets will normally shut round 8pm or just a little later.
It’s all the time a good suggestion to examine forward on the place the closest gasoline station is – your GPS or Google Maps will help you with this, however don’t let your gasoline ranges get gradual that you just turn into reliant upon this data.
Driving hazards in Iceland
The climate in Iceland may be very variable and modifications can occur at brief discover. Be ready for regardless of the circumstances could throw at you. What’s extra, Iceland is stuffed with great distractions! Waterfalls, glaciers and way more. Make sure to preserve your eyes on the highway. Pull over and park someplace safely when you’d wish to cease and admire the surroundings or take pictures.
While nearly all of drivers are courteous and accountable, there are some (in each nation!) who’re impatient and drive irresponsibly, be it by way of rushing, tailgating or another malpractice. Don’t be intimidated by their behaviour; simply preserve to the driving laws and luxuriate in your journey, quite than allow them to affect your personal protected driving.
Beware animals! Scale back velocity if you encounter livestock or different animals on the highway. Sheep, horses, birds and different animals aren’t unusual.
On our journey, we encountered some sheep that had been standing in the course of the highway and bringing site visitors to a whole standstill. They appeared to be eager to lick the automobile tyres for some purpose (perhaps it was the salt, I don’t know) and we may solely get previous by coming to a whole standstill, earlier than crawling ever so barely ahead, when it was protected to take action, to renew our journey.
We additionally encountered plenty of horses that had been being excercised or re-located, I’m undecided which. A handful had been being ridden, however the overwhelming majority had been riderless. There will need to have been round 50 horses in complete and all we may actually do was come to a whole cease and sit tight till they’d all handed. It didn’t take lengthy, and was fascinating to see, so we had been in no hurry.
So, there you’ve got it – a abstract of my high ideas for driving in Iceland. I hope you discover this convenient, but it surely also needs to be burdened that we had been driving duing the Summer time months and I’ve not gone into any element about Winter driving. This may most likely warrant a publish all of its personal. In case you have any questions, or ideas of your personal, be happy so as to add them within the feedback under.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You may watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here:
