Driving in Iceland vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, driving regulations in Iceland and Russia present intriguing contrasts. From speed limits to traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Notably, Iceland enforces stricter alcohol limits, while Russia permits right turns on red. Explore the nuances to drive with confidence in both nations.
Lanes
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
russia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Russia |
| 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 | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
russia:
Not used in Russia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
russia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
russia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
russia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Alcohol
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially in cities |
| 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%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay