Iceland vs Spain: Navigating Driving Differences
Iceland and Spain present unique driving landscapes, each with distinct regulations and practices that can impact travelers' safety. From overtaking rules to speed limits, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure journey. Explore how these two countries differ in lane usage, traffic signals, and penalties to ensure a smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
spain:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
iceland:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 120 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
spain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay