Driving in Iceland vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
Exploring the unique road regulations in Iceland and Liechtenstein reveals intriguing contrasts that every traveler should know. From speed limits to lane markings, these variations can significantly impact your driving experience. Notably, while Iceland emphasizes bus lanes and lower alcohol limits, Liechtenstein enforces stricter speed regulations and requires reflective vests. Stay informed for a safer journey!
Lanes
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| 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 typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
liechtenstein:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80 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 | 120 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| 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 | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required annually |
| 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay