Driving in Iceland vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explored
When exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Iceland and Turkey, travelers must navigate unique regulations and practices. Key differences include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the use of traffic signals. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe and responsible travel on foreign roads, enhancing your journey across these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is 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 sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
turkey:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |
| 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| 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 | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
turkey:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges