Those who travel Iceland by car must familiarize themselves with traffic rules and check the road conditions regularly.
To check the road conditions and closures, visit umferdin.is. Alternatively, you can also call the Icelandic Road Administration (phone: 1777) during weekdays.
About driving in Iceland
Traffic rules
Top 12 tips for driving in Iceland by safetravel.is
Road signs
Speed limits
Within populated areas: 50 km/h (30 mph)
In rural areas – gravel roads: 80 km/h (50 mph)
In rural areas – asphalt roads: 90 km/h (55 mph)
Drivers must pay attention when encountering:
Sheep on the road: If drivers encounter sheep on the road, they must slow down and honk the horn as this will make the sheep run to the side of the road. If they notice that a sheep is on one side of the road and a lamb on the other side, they should expect that the sheep or the lamb will run to the other side. If a driver hits a sheep, they must call 112. Drivers can be held liable for hitting sheep.
Single-lane bridges: Single-lane bridges must be approached slowly and with caution. The general rule is that the car closer to the bridge has the right of way.
Single-lane tunnels: In single-lane tunnels, there are passing places spread throughout the tunnel. In case of oncoming traffic, the car with the passing place on their side (on the right) is obligated to pull in and let the other car pass. It is important to drive slowly and carefully in single-lane tunnels.
Blind curves and hills: Before a blind curve and when approaching hills, drivers must reduce their speed and drive carefully.