Driving in Iceland vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a journey, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe experience. This comparison between Iceland and Latvia reveals significant contrasts: from overtaking rules to speed limits, and even the handling of emergencies. Grasping these distinctions enhances your confidence and ensures a secure ride in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
latvia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
latvia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Latvia |
| 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 | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
latvia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
latvia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days