Driving in Iceland vs. Jordan: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Iceland and Jordan, travelers must navigate distinct rules and practices that affect their journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency vehicles. Understanding these variances not only enhances your driving experience but also ensures greater safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
jordan:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not typically used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| 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 | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
jordan:
Not typically used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
jordan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
iceland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
jordan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
jordan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
jordan:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
jordan:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
jordan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay