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.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in canada is the Right Side of the road
86
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in canada is 86
1.252 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for canada is 1.252 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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.
Roundabouts
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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