Driving in Iceland vs. Libya: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Iceland and Libya, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption rules, emphasizing the importance of understanding local driving norms to ensure a safe journey abroad. Discover how these two countries differ before hitting the road!
Lanes
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
libya:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
libya:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
libya:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Signals
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Libya |
| 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 | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
iceland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Not used in Libya
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
libya:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
libya:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
libya:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
libya:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
libya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Varies by area |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
libya:
Varies by area
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days