Driving in Iceland vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
Exploring the roads of Iceland and New Zealand reveals fascinating contrasts in driving regulations and safety practices. With Iceland driving on the right and New Zealand on the left, motorists must adapt to unique lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals. Understanding these key distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
new zealand:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in New Zealand |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
iceland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay