Driving Safety: Iceland vs. India - Key Differences Explained
Iceland and India present contrasting approaches to road usage and regulations, influencing vehicular safety and navigation. Key distinctions include driving sides—right versus left—and speed limits, which are generally higher in India. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring secure travel experiences in each nation's unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
india:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
iceland:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
india:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
iceland:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in India |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
india:
Not used in India
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
india:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
iceland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
iceland:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
india:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay