Driving in Iceland vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Iceland and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journey. From differing speed limits and lane usage to unique signage and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience behind the wheel. Explore these driving contrasts to ensure peace of mind on your travels.
Lanes
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
iceland:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
iceland:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
iceland:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
united kingdom:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
iceland:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
iceland:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
iceland:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
united kingdom:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
united kingdom:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
iceland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
iceland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
iceland:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay