France vs Iceland: Essential Driving Differences Explained
Discover the unique nuances of driving in France and Iceland with our in-depth comparison. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic regulations and emergency protocols, these countries showcase distinct approaches to road safety. Unravel the essential contrasts to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | 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, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
france:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | N/A |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| 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 | French; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
iceland:
N/A
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
france:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| France | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame