Driving abroad
Driving in Iceland means driving on the right, with a drink drive limit of 0.02 percent and motorway speeds of no motorways. 90 km/h on paved rural roads. Everything below is the practical version, the things that actually cost visitors money or time.
Driving off marked roads is illegal and heavily fined. F roads need a proper four wheel drive and are closed most of the year.
Once the paperwork is sorted, this is what you came for. Ring Road, East Fjords, Snaefellsnes Peninsula Road, Golden Circle Road are among the highest scoring roads we hold in Iceland, and all of them are open to any road legal car.
Motorway limit
No motorways. 90 km/h on paved rural roads
Outside towns
80 km/h on gravel
Built up areas
50 km/h
Drink drive limit
0.02 percent
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. A planning summary, not legal advice. Check the national road authority before you travel. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 14 April 2026
The detail
The Vadlaheidi tunnel near Akureyri is tolled and paid online.
Winter tyres are required from 1 November to 14 April.
None.
UK and EU licences are accepted.
Nothing unusual, but check road.is every morning
112
Now the good part
Austurland
Fjord after fjord with the Vatnajokull glacier at your shoulder and no traffic at all.
Vesturland
Iceland in miniature, lava fields, black beaches and a glacier capped volcano.
Sudurland
Rift valley, geysers and a waterfall you hear long before you see it.
Common questions
Motorways no motorways. 90 km/h on paved rural roads, main roads outside towns 80 km/h on gravel, and built up areas 50 km/h. Lower limits are posted and always take priority.
The Vadlaheidi tunnel near Akureyri is tolled and paid online.
0.02 percent. Roadside testing is routine and the safest approach on a driving tour is nothing at all before you drive.
Winter tyres are required from 1 November to 14 April.
Nothing unusual, but check road.is every morning. Emergency number is 112.
UK and EU licences are accepted.