Driving in Algeria vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Algeria and Iceland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and conditions that shape their experience behind the wheel. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions, which highlight the need for awareness and preparation. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in either country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
algeria:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
iceland:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
algeria:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
algeria:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
algeria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
algeria:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Algeria | 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
algeria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame