Driving in Canada vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Canada and Iceland, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking rules, and the presence of high-occupancy lanes. This comparison highlights how local practices can significantly impact your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green paint. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
canada:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
iceland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but varies by province | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | 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 | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); 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
canada:
Not used in Canada
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
canada:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
canada:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
canada:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
canada:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Canada | 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 |
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | 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
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
iceland:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
canada:
0.08%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
canada:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Canada | 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
canada:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
canada:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | 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
canada:
911
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; often upwards of $200 | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
canada:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame