Driving abroad can typically be somewhat daunting, significantly in case you’re travelling someplace for the primary time. Nevertheless it needn’t be… overcome that trepidation, and also you’ll quickly uncover that the independence that comes with renting a automotive (versus travelling on excursions or by public transport) greater than makes up for any preliminary fears you may need had.
And this couldn’t be extra true in a rustic comparable to Iceland the place we predict the power to self-drive is a wonderful selection. In case your journey plans contain the land of Fireplace and Ice, I’m positive you possibly can’t wait to discover the various glaciers, geysers and waterfalls, in addition to Iceland‘s many different pure wonders. However, earlier than you’re taking to the highway, it’s finest to be ready. Listed here are our prime suggestions for driving in Iceland.
Driving rules in Iceland
In Iceland, you drive on the proper and overtake on the left. Drivers and all passengers are required to put on seat belts by legislation. Infants and youthful youngsters should be seated in automotive security seats. For extra data on youngster security in Iceland, see this hyperlink.
Your automotive headlights ought to be switched on when driving, no matter whether or not it’s day or evening. And there may be zero tolerance for driving inebriated or medication. Don’t do it even when the principles in your individual nation could also be barely completely different. The minimal penalty for drink driving is a advantageous of 100,000 ISK and a 4 month ban. That’s round 700 USD at present trade charges.
Additionally, don’t use a cell phone when driving. Using cell phones when driving is towards the legislation. When you should, it’s obligatory to make use of hands-free tools while driving.
Ensure you protect Iceland’s distinctive ecosystem and untouched nature by staying on the roads! Off-road driving can be unlawful in Iceland and also can lead to massive fines, and even imprisonment.
Pace limits in Iceland
You’ll need to concentrate on velocity limits – to your personal security (and that of different highway customers) and to keep away from hefty fines. In populated areas, velocity limits are usually round 30-50 km/h. On gravel roads, the nationwide velocity restrict is 80km/h and on main paved roads it’s 90km/h, however all the time examine the indicators simply to make certain as some circumstances might command a unique restrict.
And don’t really feel that the boundaries are a goal – in case you really feel extra snug driving extra slowly due to the prevailing circumstances, then don’t hesitate to drive at a velocity the place you’re feeling extra in management. If there are different automobiles desirous to go you, the same old customized is to sign along with your proper indicator while you see that it’s secure for them to overhaul.
Iceland’s Ring Highway has various fastened velocity traps, in addition to patrolling police automobiles with cell detectors. However don’t fear… I’ve a prime tip so that you can keep away from getting caught! It would shock you however one of the best ways to keep away from being fined for dashing is to not break the velocity restrict within the first place. OK, so discuss stating the apparent, I do know… however a extra real tip is to make use of your cruise management (in case your automotive has it) to make sure you don’t unintentionally go over the restrict.
When you select to hurry, then be ready to face the results – at finest, a dashing advantageous; or worse nonetheless, a critical accident. You gained’t essentially learn about it immediately (the advantageous, I imply… however the identical may very well be true of an accident!), however you may be in for a nasty shock when your rental firm prices your bank card weeks later to your driving misdemeanour.
The roads in Iceland
The roads in and round Reykjavik are of normal and effectively maintained. Roads within the countryside, however, could be extra variable – probably rougher, narrower and extra hazardous than you is perhaps used to. With greater than 8,000 miles of highway in Iceland, and fewer than 3,000 of these being paved, there’s a excessive likelihood that you’ll come throughout an unsealed highway floor throughout your travels.
Even on the Ring Highway, which tends to be floor a lot of the method, pay attention to smaller bridges that are normally single lanes, usually with gravel surfaces, with velocity limitations. Decelerate as you strategy them, particularly if you end up approaching one on the similar as one other automotive. The final etiquette in these sitations is that the automotive closest to the bridge has proper of method, while the opposite automobile waits for them to cross.
On gravel roads, attempt to hold your velocity low sufficient so that you simply don’t throw free stones on to the aspect of your individual automotive. Equally, don’t drive too near automobiles in entrance of you and threat being caught by any free chippings that they throw up.
Solely enterprise on to Iceland’s F-roads in case you have a 4×4 and are assured with driving on mountain roads.
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Parking in Iceland
Reykjavik is split into parking zones, marked P1, P2, P3 and P4, with P1 (the pink zone) being closest to the centre and likewise the most costly. Fee could be made simply utilizing the PARKA app, or you possibly can pay utilizing ticket dispensers in pay-and-display zones. If you’re outdoors these zones, then parking is free. Avenue parking in Reykjavik can be free outdoors of the hours of 9am-6pm, in addition to on Sundays. Completely different guidelines might apply for multi-storey automotive parks inside the metropolis.
I like to recommend utilizing the PARKA app for different places in Iceland the place you’ll want to pay for parking, however you may additionally like to put in the EasyPark app instead. (EasyPark acquired Leggia in 2017.)
Fuel stations in Iceland
A superb rule of thumb is to replenish if the chance arises even when your tank is half full as you by no means know when the following alternative may come.
Nearly all fuel stations in Iceland are self-serve, with cost made earlier than you replenish. You’ll simply want your debit or bank card and the related pin quantity. When you’re filling for the primary time and aren’t positive which aspect of the automotive your petrol cap is on, then you definitely may discover a small arrow displayed subsequent to your petrol gauge, pointing to the left or proper. That is an indicator of which aspect the gas goes in.
Fuel stations are normally open 24/7, which means you possibly can replenish at any time of day, however the kiosk the place you may get help or buy different objects will normally shut round 8pm or somewhat later.
It’s all the time a good suggestion to examine forward on the place the closest fuel station is – your GPS or Google Maps will help you with this, however don’t let your gas ranges get gradual that you simply turn into reliant upon this data.
Driving hazards in Iceland
The climate in Iceland could be very variable and adjustments can occur at brief discover. Be ready for regardless of the circumstances might throw at you. Use the SafeTravel app for up-to-date data on the roads and driving circumstances.
Iceland is a surprising nation with mesmerising landscapes and it’s very simple to get distracted by all of it. Regardless of how stunning the surroundings, don’t let it distract you out of your driving. It goes with out staying, however it’s much better to tug over in a secure place and take in the vistas than lose focus while behind the wheel.
While nearly all of drivers are courteous and accountable, there are some (in each nation!) who’re impatient and drive irresponsibly, be it by way of dashing, tailgating or another malpractice. Don’t be intimidated by their behaviour; simply hold to the driving rules and luxuriate in your journey, reasonably than allow them to affect your individual secure driving.
Beware animals! Scale back velocity while you encounter livestock or different animals on the highway. Sheep, horses, birds and different animals aren’t unusual.
On our journey, we encountered some sheep that have been standing in the course of the highway and bringing site visitors to an entire standstill. They appeared to be eager to lick the automotive tyres for some motive (perhaps it was the salt, I don’t know) and we might solely get previous by coming to an entire standstill, earlier than crawling ever so barely ahead, when it was secure to take action, to renew our journey.
We additionally encountered various horses that have been being excercised or re-located, I’m undecided which. A handful have been being ridden, however the overwhelming majority have been riderless. There should have been round 50 horses in whole and all we might actually do was come to an entire cease and sit tight till they’d all handed. It didn’t take lengthy, and was attention-grabbing to see, so we have been in no hurry.
Within the occasion of an accident
Within the occasion of an accident, the emergency quantity to name in Iceland is 112. Relying on the character of the accident, we advise you contact the emergency companies, the police and your rental supplier. For added peace of thoughts when driving in distant places, we additionally advocate putting in the 112 app. This can be utilized to supply common notifications of your present location, which could be useful to first responders within the occasion of an emergency.
Don’t spend all of your time within the automotive
While it’s comprehensible that you simply need to see and do as a lot as you possibly can while in Iceland, you additionally should be lifelike as to what’s achievable within the time that you’ve. In principle, it’s doable to drive across the total Iceland ring highway (1,339 kilometres) in 17 hours… however would you need to? Undoubtedly not! Permit your self loads of time to take sufficient stops and luxuriate in this stunning nation, and be lifelike on how a lot you possibly can cowl inside the time that you’ve, with out compromising the enjoyment of your journey.
For extra tips about driving in Iceland, check out the Driving with Elfis collection of movies.
So, there you’ve gotten it – a abstract of my prime suggestions for driving in Iceland. I hope you discover this convenient, however it must also be burdened that we have been driving duing the Summer season months and I’ve not gone into any element about Winter driving. This may in all probability warrant a submit all of its personal. In case you have any questions, or suggestions of your individual, be at liberty so as to add them within the feedback beneath.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You possibly can watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here:
