Driving in Iceland vs. Italy: Safety Tips & Differences
When traversing the roads of Iceland and Italy, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. From speed limits to lane markings, these two nations present unique driving practices. Discover how Iceland's gravel roads contrast with Italy's bustling highways, ensuring you navigate safely and confidently in both beautiful countries.
Lanes
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
italy:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
italy:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
italy:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
italy:
Substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
italy:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
italy:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days