Driving in Ecuador vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
Ecuador and Iceland present distinct contrasts in their road regulations and traffic norms, greatly influencing travel safety. From speed limits to lane usage, drivers must adapt to each country's unique practices. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, highlighting the importance of awareness when navigating unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with 'BUS' in some areas. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
ecuador:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 | 70 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ecuador | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
iceland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ecuador:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
ecuador:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | 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 inspection is mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
iceland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
iceland:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
iceland:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
iceland:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
iceland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
iceland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
iceland:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
iceland:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| 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 |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
iceland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
iceland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
iceland:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
iceland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ecuador:
911 or 112
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
iceland:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
iceland:
Possible if fines are not paid