Driving in Croatia vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the essential distinctions in road regulations, Croatia and Iceland present unique driving cultures. From overtaking rules to speed limits, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a safe journey. Notably, Iceland enforces lower speed limits on gravel roads, while Croatia emphasizes bus lane restrictions. Delve into these captivating contrasts for a safer experience abroad.
Lanes
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | 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 and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
croatia:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 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 | 130 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Signals
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | N/A |
| 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 | Croatian; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
iceland:
N/A
Horn Usage: Penalties
croatia:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
croatia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
croatia:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
croatia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame