Driving in Bhutan vs. Iceland: Unique Road Rules Explained
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and Iceland, travelers encounter distinct regulations and practices that prioritize road safety. Key differences include Bhutan's left-side driving and stricter overtaking rules, contrasted with Iceland's right-side navigation and more lenient overtaking policies. Understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience in each unique landscape.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
iceland:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
iceland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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 | English; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
bhutan:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame