Driving Differences: Iceland vs. Madagascar Explained
Navigating the roads of Iceland and Madagascar presents unique challenges and regulations. This comparison highlights critical distinctions in lanes, speed limits, and road etiquette, shedding light on how driving practices vary between these two diverse nations. Whether it's the bus lanes of Reykjavik or the bustling streets of Antananarivo, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
madagascar:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
iceland:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
iceland:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
iceland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
iceland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
iceland:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority