Driving in Iceland

Travel Conditions

The weather in Iceland can be unpredictable and change quickly so it’s important to check the weather forecast and road conditions regularly. This is especially important when traveling the highlands during summer or traveling the ring road during winter.

Road Limitations 2x4 Campers
2x4 Limitations
Live road map Live
road map
Road Limitations 4x4 Campers
4x4 Limitations
Road Limitations 2x4 campers

Our 2×4 campers are NOT allowed to drive on roads marked with RED, GRAY, a dotted GREEN line on the live Road Condition map.

Impassable / Closed
Unknown Condition / No Winter Service
Passable with mountain vehicles

Additionally, all F-roads are off limits to our 2x4 campers as well as the following roads:

Forbidden Road Driving Subject to Fine

Driving on forbidden roads or off road (paths, tracks, beaches or any other place that does not have a road name or a number) will result in a fine for per driven km.
NO insurance covers damages that occur on forbidden roads or off road.

Road Limitations 4x4 campers

Our 4×4 campers are NOT allowed to drive on roads marked with RED or GRAY on the live Road Condition map.

Impassable / Closed
Unknown Condition / No Winter Service

Additionally, the following roads are off-limits to our 4x4 campers:

Forbidden Road Driving Subject to Fine

Driving on forbidden roads or off road (paths, tracks, beaches or any other place that does not have a road name or a number) will result in a fine for per driven km.
NO insurance covers damages that occur on forbidden roads or off road.

Useful Info and Links

Obtaining information regarding road conditions, weather forecast and general warnings while traveling in Iceland is on the renter’s responsibility. Here below you can find all the necessary resources to stay up to date on travel conditions.

Get Alerts From SafeTravel.is

Stay informed and get alerts sent to your phone live from safetravel.is

On-Road Assistance

We offer customer support for on-road assistance every day from 9:00 to 18:00. You can reach out to us for guidance and assistance regarding any issues you encounter with your camper, included items or extras.

After hours calls are automatically redirected to 24 Road Assistance and only urgent matters are addressed.

The cost for on-spot assistance is on the renters responsibility, unless the incident has to due with a vehicle malfunction.

Please note that malfunctions with the camper, included items or extras must be reported as soon as they occur !

For added peace of mind while traveling, you can purchase our Roadside Assistance extra. It cover the cost of the most common incidents where on-spot assistance is needed.

See More

For Urgent On-Road Assistance Call +(354) 771 5131

Tolls and fees

Renters are responsible for following local regulations concerning tunnel tolls, parking fees and speeding fines. Staying informed can not only help you avoid extra charges but also ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Parking Fees

Most tourist attractions charge for parking, even if you drop by for only 10-15 minutes. It’s best to settle these fees at each location otherwise you’ll get a fine and we charge a service fee for each fine we need to process.

Most locations require you to pay either online or via an app, typically through Parka, although other service providers are used in some places. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to the specific payment method required at each site.

Get the parka app

Note: If you park the camper illegally in a city or a town the fine can be quite expensive so make sure you are parking where it is allowed.

Tunnel tolls

Tunnels like Vaðlaheiðargöng charge a toll that you’ll need to pay for online or through their app, otherwise you’ll get a fine and we charge a service fee for each fine we need to process.

For added peace of mind consider purchasing our tunnel pass extra for unlimited tunnel trips. Simply drive through and don’t worry about a thing.

Speeding Fines

Cameras are located in cities / towns, along the ring road and inside tunnels. If you drive over the speed limit, you may receive a fine. Be aware that Speeding fines are quite expensive in Iceland. These fines are handled by the Icelandic authorities.

Road Signs and Regulations

Driving in Iceland requires caution and attention to regulations, particularly due to Iceland's diverse landscapes and unpredictable weather and road conditions, making it essential for travelers to stay informed and adhere to local rules.

Icy Road

Danger of sudden icy conditions

Animals

Watch out for the possibility of animals on the roads!

Blind Crest

Please keep to the far right side of the road! Another car could be coming the other way

Single Lane Bridge

Slow down (50 km/h). Another car could be coming the other way.

Speeding camera

Make sure you are not driving more than the maximum speed

Difficult driving

4x4 vehicles only!

Single lane tunnel

Approach with caution! Slow down (50 km/h) in case another car is coming the other way

Closed road

The road ahead is closed due to road condition or other reasons

Gravel roads

Slow down! Gravel road ahead.

Difficult driving

4x4 vehicles only!

Pavement changes to gravel

Slow down! Gravel road ahead

Unabridged river

Unabridged river ahead. Only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. Note: crossing a river is always on your responsibitity

Roundabout

Roundabout ahead. Inner circle has priority

Maximum Speed

Populated Areas
Gravel Roads
Highways
Seatbelts are Mandatory for all passangers

All passengers are required to wear seatbelts at all times while driving

Violations are subject to heavy fines

Headlights On at All Times

While driving in Iceland, headlights are required to be on at all times, All Year Round.

“Auto” light setting might not be enough

Child Seat Regulation

Children under 135 cm are legally required to use a car seats appropriate for their height and weight.

Children under 150 cm are not permitted to sit in front of an active airbag.

Mobile Phones

Use of mobile phones is prohibited while driving.

Violations are subject to heavy fines

Photo Locations

It is dangerous to stop your vehicle in the middle or on the side of the road to take photos. choose your photo locations with safety in mind.

Caution: do not stop on the side of the road unless it is an emergency

Gravel Roads

Slow down when approaching gravel roads. Switching from a paved road to a gravel road can cause you to loose control of the car if you do not slow down.

Dangers on Icelandic Roads

Visibility on Icelandic Roads

2 MIN TEST

Are You Ready For the Icelandic Roads?

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the road changes to Red or Gray while I’m driving it?

If you drive into a road marked with Red or Gray on the road condition map on road.is you will get a fine for each driven km.

However, if the road changes into Red or Gray while you are driving on it you will not get fined, with the condition you exit the road as soon as possible.

Please note that the tracking device allows us to see when you entered the road and how far you drove and we have access to road updates, so we can see when a road turns Red or Gray.

What is the difference between F-road and Off road?

F-roads are mountain roads only accessible with 4×4 vehicles, these roads have a name and a number.

Off road is considered to be any place that does not have a road name or a number, such as but not limited to: tracks, paths, beaches, grass, moss or any other place with fragile vegetation where damage can be caused to nature which can take decades to heal. Violations are subject to high fines issued by the Icelandic authorities.

What should I do if there is a storm ?

Monitoring weather alerts on vedur.is is crucial for staying safe during a storm. The alerts are color coded depending on the severity of the storm:

Yellow: Be cautious while driving. If winds go over 20 m/s cancel your travel plans and stay put while the storm is passing.

Orange: Avoid area if possible or cancel your travel plans and find a safe place for you and your camper to stay while the storm is passing.

Red: Avoid area or cancel your travel plans and seek shelter while the storm is passing. Often humanitarian assistance centers are opened in areas hit with such severe storms and we encourage you to use those.

Stay informed and prioritize safety during severe weather conditions:
Safe Travel
Weather Alerts
Road Conditions

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