Iceland vs. Slovakia: Driving Differences Uncovered
When traveling abroad, understanding nuances in road regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Iceland and Slovakia reveals notable distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. From variable speed signs to the strictness of seat belt laws, discover how these two countries prioritize driver awareness and road safety.
Lanes
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
slovakia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 130 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. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
slovakia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
slovakia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
slovakia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay