🇮🇸 What Locals Want Tourists to Know

The Hard Truth About Driving in Iceland

Iceland isn't like driving at home. Our weather changes in minutes, our roads can be challenging, and help can be hours away. Locals respect these conditions - tourists often don't, and that's when accidents happen.

This guide gives you the same advice we give our own family members.

🚦 Basic Traffic Rules (Don't Assume)

🚗 Fundamental Rules

  • Drive on the right side of the road
  • Headlights on 24/7 - year-round legal requirement
  • Seatbelts mandatory for all passengers
  • Mobile phones: Prohibited while driving - must pull over to use
  • Blood alcohol limit: 0.02% (very strict - effectively zero tolerance)

⚡ Speed Limits

Urban areas: 50 km/h Rural paved: 90 km/h
Gravel roads: 80 km/h School zones: 30 km/h

Local Reality: Speed cameras are everywhere, and fines are expensive (20,000-70,000 ISK / $150-500). Locals drive at or below speed limits.

🔑 Car Rental - What You Actually Need

🚙 2WD vs 4WD Decision

2WD is Fine For:

  • Ring Road only (Route 1) in summer
  • Golden Circle and main tourist routes
  • May-September travel with good weather
  • Budget-conscious travelers sticking to paved roads

4WD is Required For:

  • F-roads (Highland roads) - legally required
  • Winter driving (Oct-Apr) - you'll thank yourself
  • Westfjords in winter
  • Any unpaved mountain roads
  • Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk access

💰 Rental Reality Check

Hidden Costs Locals Know About

  • Insurance is expensive but essential - Iceland's roads are harsh
  • Sand/ash damage protection - worth it near active volcanoes
  • Winter tires - included Oct-Apr, but check
  • GPS rental - your phone works fine with offline maps
  • Additional driver fees - can add up

Local Rental Tips:

  • Pick up/drop off at Keflavík: Often cheapest
  • Fuel policy: Full-to-full is standard
  • Document existing damage: Take photos/video
  • Check tire tread: Demand replacement if worn

🏔️ F-Roads: The Highland Challenge

⚠️ F-Roads Are Not Normal Roads

F-roads (mountain roads) are marked with "F" and numbers. They require 4WD vehicles by law and special driving skills. Many are closed Oct-June due to snow.

🚫 F-Road Legal Requirements

  • 4WD vehicle required by law - not just recommended
  • Insurance may not cover 2WD on F-roads
  • River crossings common - know how to ford rivers
  • No cell phone coverage in many areas
  • Emergency equipment recommended: GPS, extra food, warm clothes

🗓️ F-Road Opening Dates

Early June-late July: F-roads gradually open (exact dates vary by road & weather - check road.is)
July-August: Peak highland season
September-May: Most F-roads closed

Check current status: road.is before any F-road attempt

❄️ Winter Driving Survival

🧊 Winter Reality in Iceland

Winter driving in Iceland is extreme. Black ice, blizzards, and winds up to 40+ m/s during storms are possible. Many locals switch to studded tires and some barely drive in winter.

❄️ Winter Equipment

Essential Winter Gear:

  • Winter tires: Required by law Nov 1 - Apr 14 (minimum 4mm tread depth)
  • Studded tires: Recommended (Nov-Apr), better than winter tires
  • Ice scraper and brush
  • Emergency kit: Food, water, warm clothes, blanket
  • Tow rope
  • Shovel (some rentals include)

Winter Driving Techniques:

  • Drive slower: Even locals drive 50-60 km/h in winter
  • Increase following distance: 3-4 times normal
  • Gentle inputs: Smooth steering, gradual braking
  • If you skid: Steer into the skid, don't brake hard

🌨️ Winter Weather Hazards

  • Black ice: Invisible, often on bridges and shaded areas
  • Whiteout conditions: Can't see 5 meters ahead
  • Crosswinds: Can blow cars off road, especially on bridges
  • Sudden weather changes: Clear to blizzard in minutes

⛽ Fuel Strategy (Critical for Safety)

⛽ Fuel Station Reality

🕐 Station Hours That Can Strand You

  • Urban areas: Usually 24/7 or until 23:30
  • Rural areas: Often close at 18:00-20:00
  • Remote areas: May only have unmanned pumps
  • Sundays: Many close early or all day

Local Rule: Fill up when tank hits 1/2, not 1/4 like at home.

💳 Payment Methods

  • Credit cards with PIN: Essential for unmanned stations
  • Prepaid fuel cards: Available at staffed stations
  • Cash not accepted at most modern pumps
  • Foreign cards: Usually work but test early in trip

📍 Critical Fuel Stops

Don't Miss These Stations:

  • Selfoss: Last major station before south coast
  • Kirkjubæjarklaustur: Essential for east/southeast
  • Höfn: Critical before heading north
  • Egilsstaðir: Main station in east Iceland
  • Akureyri: Major northern fuel hub

🌤️ Weather and Road Conditions

📱 Essential Apps and Websites

  • road.is: Official road conditions (check daily)
  • vedur.is: Icelandic weather service
  • SafeTravel app: Emergency features, weather alerts
  • 112 Iceland app: Emergency location sharing
  • Windy.com: Detailed wind forecasts

🚨 When NOT to Drive

Red Alert Conditions (Stay Put):

  • Orange/Red weather warnings from vedur.is
  • Wind speeds 20+ m/s (especially with high vehicle)
  • Blizzard conditions with near-zero visibility
  • Ice storms - roads become skating rinks
  • Road closures on road.is

Local Truth: It's better to lose a day than lose your life. Weather passes quickly in Iceland.

⚠️ Road Hazards Tourists Don't Expect

🐑 Animals on Roads

  • Sheep: Everywhere, often in roads, especially summer
  • Horses: Sometimes loose, spook easily
  • Arctic foxes: Rare but can dart across roads
  • Birds: Puffins and other seabirds fly low

Driving Tip: Slow down in rural areas, especially dawn/dusk.

🌪️ Wind Hazards

🌬️ Iceland's Wind is Dangerous

Wind speeds of 25+ m/s can blow cars off roads. High-sided vehicles (campers, buses) are especially vulnerable.

  • Bridge crossings: Worst wind exposure
  • Coastal roads: Constant crosswinds
  • Mountain passes: Sudden wind gusts
  • When opening doors: Wind can rip them off hinges

🪨 Road Surface Hazards

  • Gravel roads: Loose stones can crack windshields
  • Single-lane bridges: Yield to oncoming traffic
  • Potholes: Can damage tires/wheels
  • Loose gravel on paved roads: Reduces traction
  • Sharp curves: Often poorly marked

🚨 Emergency Situations

🆘 If Something Goes Wrong

Breakdown/Accident Protocol:

  • Call 112 immediately - works everywhere in Iceland
  • Share your location - use 112 Iceland app if possible
  • Stay with your vehicle unless in immediate danger
  • Make yourself visible: Hazard lights, reflective clothing
  • Call your rental company after emergency services

Bad Weather Protocol:

  • Don't continue in dangerous conditions
  • Find nearest accommodation and wait it out
  • Keep emergency supplies in car always
  • Tell someone your route and expected arrival

🅿️ Parking and Urban Driving

🏙️ Reykjavík Parking

  • Paid zones: P1 (150 ISK/hour), P2 (125 ISK/hour), P3 (100 ISK/hour)
  • Pay by: Parka app, SMS, or parking meters
  • Free parking: Sundays and after 18:00 weekdays
  • Max stay: Usually 2-4 hours in city center
  • Fines: 8,000 ISK (~$60) for violations

🏞️ Tourist Site Parking

  • Most attractions: Free parking
  • Popular sites: Can fill up quickly in summer
  • Geysir, Gullfoss: Large parking areas
  • Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss: Can get crowded
  • Blue Lagoon: Paid parking included in entrance

📋 Legal Requirements and Insurance

🆔 Driver Requirements

  • Minimum age: 20 for cars, 23 for larger vehicles
  • License: Valid license from home country + International Driving Permit
  • License validity: Must be valid for at least 1 year
  • Age restrictions: Some rental companies require 25+ for certain vehicles

🛡️ Insurance Reality

Why Locals Always Take Full Insurance

Iceland's roads are harsh. Gravel chips windshields, wind tears off doors, and ash storms sandblast paint. The repair costs are massive.

  • CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): Basic coverage, high deductible
  • SCDW (Super CDW): Reduces deductible significantly
  • Gravel protection: Essential for gravel roads
  • Sand/ash protection: Needed near active volcanoes
  • Theft protection: Less critical in Iceland