Driving in Iceland vs. Qatar: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in roadway regulations between Iceland and Qatar, where unique driving customs shape safety on the streets. While Iceland emphasizes strict alcohol limits and distinct lane usage, Qatar boasts variable speed limits and specific overtaking rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| 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 authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
qatar:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 100-120 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 | 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Qatar |
| 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 and 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
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
qatar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
qatar:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
qatar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
qatar:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
qatar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
qatar:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties