Driving in Iceland vs. Montenegro: A Safety Comparison
When navigating the roads of Iceland and Montenegro, drivers will encounter distinct regulations that can significantly impact their experience. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking rules, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Understanding these driving nuances is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| 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 with road signs and pavement markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
montenegro:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Montenegro |
| 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 | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
montenegro:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
montenegro:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections 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
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Alcohol
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| 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%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
montenegro:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
montenegro:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
montenegro:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Available from several organizations; check locally |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
montenegro:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, amount varies |
| 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 | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days