Driving in Albania vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and Iceland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, signaling protocols, and the presence of bus lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
albania:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
albania:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
albania:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
albania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
iceland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
albania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
albania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame