Toll roads in Iceland? How to buy a vignette in Iceland? Fines in Iceland? Parking in Iceland? Autostrada in Iceland? Toll tunnels in Iceland? Toll bridges in Iceland? Ferries in Iceland? We have collected answers to all these questions for you in this article.
The length of Iceland’s public highway network is 12,890 km. Of them, 4,782 km are paved.
Toll roads in Iceland
In Iceland, there is no toll for the use of highways. Only the passage through the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel is subject to payment.
Lands with special payment in Iceland
Tariffs for passing through the Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel
The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel connects Eyjafjörður with Fjöskádalur. The length of the tunnel is 7,400 m. The tunnel has two traffic lanes, one in each direction. The highest point of the tunnel is 500 m above sea level. The maximum speed in the tunnel is limited to 70 km/h.
The Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel was opened to traffic on 21 December 2018, 2 years behind schedule. It replaces a 21-kilometer section of Route 1 that includes the Vikurskard Pass road. The tunnel shortens the distance between Akureyri and Husavik by 16 km.
Tariffs for 2024:
| Class | Vehicle | Tariff (ISK) |
|---|---|---|
| Cars up to 3.5 tons | 1,650 (€ 11) | |
| Cars from 3.5 to 7.5 tons | 2,600 (€ 17) | |
| Cars over 7.5 tons | 5,500 (€36) |
To pay the fare, you need to register the car at www.veggjald.is.
If you pass through the tunnel without registering, you have 3:00 to do so. After 3 hours, the fare will be ISK 2,500 (€19) for cars, ISK 2,900 (€19) for trucks, and ISK 6,000 (€40) for vans.
Hvalfjörður tunnel fares
From September 28, 2018, travel through the Hvalfjörður tunnel became free!
The Hvalfjörður tunnel connects Reykjavík with Akranes. The length of the tunnel is 5770 m, of which 3750 m pass under the seabed. The lowest point of the tunnel is 165 m below sea level. The maximum speed in the tunnel is limited to 70 km/h.
The Hvalfjörður tunnel was opened to traffic on July 11, 1998, 8 months ahead of schedule. The throughput capacity of the tunnel was calculated based on 1,500 cars per day. But by 2007, 5,500 cars were passing through it a day.
Features of Iceland’s highways
There are a lot of gravel roads in Iceland. Accidents most often occur in places where the asphalt road crosses the gravel road. The main reason is that drivers do not reduce their speed when entering gravel and therefore lose control.
When driving on gravel roads, which are often quite narrow, it is important to exercise caution when approaching another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, moving as far to the right as possible.
You should be careful when approaching “blind hills”, where the oncoming traffic lanes are not separated and you cannot see what is happening behind the hill.
Bridges with one lane are also common. The basic rule of thumb is that the closer the vehicle is to the bridge, the greater the right of way. However, it is better to stop and try to understand what the other driver is planning to do.
Mountain roads in Iceland
Roads that are higher than 300 m above sea level are classified as high mountain in Iceland. Very often they can be covered with snow even in the summer months.
High mountain roads are closed in winter or in bad weather. It is impossible to determine the exact dates of the opening of such roads. The file presents statistics for the last 5 years.
Road map of Iceland
The main traffic laws of Iceland
Speed limits in Iceland
Standard speed limits in Iceland (unless otherwise indicated on signs). Cars and motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement (gravel) – 80 km/h
- outside the settlement (asphalt) – 90 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement (gravel) – 80 km/h
- outside the settlement (asphalt) – 80 km/h
Please note: special warning signs in Iceland indicate danger ahead (eg sharp bends), but there is usually no separate speed limit sign.
Alcohol
The maximum permissible blood alcohol level in Iceland 0.5 ‰ .Penalties for excess blood alcohol:
| Alcohol level (‰) | Fine (ISK) | Deprivation of VU |
|---|---|---|
| from 0.5 to 0.6 | 70,000 (€ 463) | 2 months |
| from 0.61 to 0.75 | 70,000 (€ 463) | 4 months |
| from 0.76 to 0.9 | 90,000 (€ 596) | 6 months |
| from 0.91 to 1.1 | 100,000 (€662) | 8 months |
| from 1.11 to 1.2 | 110,000 (€728) | 10 months |
| from 1.21 to 1.5 | 140,000 (€ 926) | 1 year |
| from 1.51 to 2.0 | 160,000 (€ 1,059) | 1.5 years |
| from 2.01 and above | 160,000 (€ 1,059) | 2 years |
A repeat offense will result in a fine of ISK 180,000 (€1,191) and a 24-month suspension of your driver’s license.
Driving under the influence of narcotics or psychotropic substances will result in a fine of ISK 70,000 to 140,000 (€ 463 – 926) and the suspension of your driver’s license for 4 months to 1 year.
Low beam use in Iceland
The use of dipped beam in Iceland is mandatory 24 hours a day. The fine for non-compliance is ISK 5,000 (€33).
Transportation of children in Iceland
Children under the age of 6 should only travel when using appropriate child restraints appropriate for their weight. Children up to 150 cm tall must travel only in the rear seats.
It is the driver’s legal responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 15 use child seats, booster seats or seat belts correctly.
The fine is ISK 15,000 (€99).
Safety belts
Use of safety belts in Iceland is mandatory for front and rear passengers.
The fine is ISK 10,000 (€66).
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet – a fine of ISK 5,000 (€33).
Talking on the phone while driving in Iceland
It is forbidden to use a telephone device that is not equipped with a technical device that allows for hands-free conversations while the vehicle is in motion.
The fine is ISK 5,000 (€33).
Fines in Iceland
Police officers have the right to collect fines on the spot for traffic violations. In some cases, payment can be made at a police station or a police officer must provide details of the official bank account to which the transfer is to be made.
For drivers of motor vehicles with a trailer, the amount of the fine is 20% higher.
| Violations in Iceland | Fines (ISK) |
|---|---|
| Traffic on the sidewalk or bike path | 5,000 (€33) |
| Driving a vehicle by a driver who does not have driving license documents with him (for the first time) | 10,000 (€66) |
| Failure to comply with the requirement to give way to a bus leaving the stop | 10,000 (€66) |
| Reversing or turning in a way that creates a danger for other road users | 10,000 (€66) |
| Leaving the intersection, creating an obstacle for the movement of vehicles in the transverse direction | 10,000 (€66) |
| Failure to comply with the requirements to give way at the intersection of the ТЗ, which uses the right-of-way | 10,000 (€66) |
| Stop at the pedestrian crossing | 10,000 (€66) |
| Failure to comply with the requirement to give way to pedestrians | 10,000 (€66) |
| Violation of overtaking rules | 10,000 (€66) |
| Failure to keep the distance to the TM ahead | 15,000 (€ 99) |
| Driving through a red light | 15,000 (€ 99) |
Table of speeding fines in Iceland (ISK):
| Speeding | Speed limit (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| from 6 to 10 km/h | 5,000 (€33) | 10,000 (€66) | ||
| from 11 to 15 km/h | 10,000 (€66) | 30,000 (€ 199) | ||
| from 16 to 20 km/h | 15,000 (€ 99) | 50,000 (€ 331) | ||
| from 21 to 25 km/h | 20,000 (€ 132) | 30,000 (€ 199) | 50,000 (€ 331) | |
| from 26 to 30 km/h | 25,000 (€ 165) | 40,000 (€ 265) | 50,000 (€ 331) | |
| from 31 to 35 km/h | 45,000 (€ 298) | 30,000 (€ 199) | 50,000 (€ 331) | 70,000 (€ 463) |
| from 36 to 40 km/h | 55,000 (€364) | 40,000 (€ 265) | 50,000 (€ 331) | 70,000 (€ 463) |
| from 41 to 45 km/h | 70,000 (€ 463) | 50,000 (€ 331) | 60,000 (€ 397) | 90,000 (€ 596) |
| from 46 to 50 km/h | court | 60,000 (€ 397) | 60,000 (€ 397) | 90,000 (€ 596) |
| from 51 km/h | court | from 90,000 (€ 596) | from 80,000 (€ 529) | from 130,000 (€ 860) |
In cases where drivers are traveling at a speed that significantly exceeds the speed limit (over 30 km/h in the area of the 30 km/h sign, and over 50 km/h in other cases), their driving license may be temporarily suspended.
Useful Information
Fuel prices in Iceland
Unleaded 95 petrol and diesel are available in Iceland. There are no gas stations (LPG).
Average prices for all types of fuel in Reykjavik as of 04.12.2023 :
- Oct 95 – ISK 294.42 (€1,951)
- Diesel – ISK 305.34 (€ 2,023)
Emergency numbers in Iceland
- The European emergency number is 112
- The road situation is 1777
Mandatory equipment in the car in Iceland
Equipment that must be in the car:
- Emergency stop sign
Requirements for the equipment that must be in the car in different European countries.
Winter equipment
Winter tires
Winter and summer tires are allowed all year round in Iceland. Requirements for tires in winter or summer differ in tread depth. In winter, the tread depth should be at least 3 mm.
Therefore, the use of winter tires (with a tread depth of at least 3 mm) is mandatory in Iceland from November 1 to April 14 (dates may vary depending on the season).
Studded tires
Studded tires are allowed to be used in Iceland from November 1 to April 14. Local authorities may extend this period.
Anti-slip chains
Skid chains are permitted in Iceland when weather conditions dictate.
Recommended equipment and other rules
It is recommended to equip your cars with a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a set of spare light bulbs.
It is forbidden to drive outside the marked roads in order to protect the flora and fauna.