If you’re planning to drive in Iceland, you need to know which side of the road Icelandic drivers use. This fundamental rule affects everything from rental car selection to navigating roundabouts and passing other vehicles.
Understanding Iceland’s driving orientation helps you prepare for road trips, choose the correct vehicle configuration, and stay safe on unfamiliar highways and rural routes.
What Side of the Road Does Iceland Drive On?
Iceland drives on the right side of the road, with the driver’s seat positioned on the left side of the vehicle. This system matches the driving orientation used in the United States, Canada, most of Europe, and the majority of countries worldwide.
Why Iceland Uses Right-Side Driving
Iceland adopted right-side driving as part of its European alignment and geographic proximity to Scandinavian countries that follow the same pattern. Denmark, which had significant historical influence over Iceland until the country gained independence in 1944, drives on the right, as do Norway, Sweden, Finland, and continental European nations.
The country never experienced a transition from left to right like Sweden did in 1967. Iceland has consistently maintained right-side driving throughout its modern automotive history.
Vehicle Configuration in Iceland
All vehicles registered and operated in Iceland feature left-hand drive configuration, meaning the steering wheel sits on the left side of the cabin. This setup places the driver closest to the centerline of the road, providing better visibility for overtaking and making left turns at intersections.
Rental cars, commercial trucks, buses, motorcycles, and private vehicles all follow this standard. You will not encounter right-hand drive vehicles as regular traffic on Icelandic roads except in rare cases of imported specialty vehicles or classic cars.
Pedal and Control Layout
The pedal arrangement remains consistent regardless of driving side. In left-hand drive vehicles used in Iceland, the accelerator sits on the right, the brake pedal in the middle, and the clutch (if equipped with manual transmission) on the left.
Turn signal stalks typically mount on the left side of the steering column, while windshield wiper controls sit on the right. Gear shift levers in manual transmission vehicles position to the right of the driver, operated with the right hand.
Practical Implications for Visitors
Drivers from the United States, Canada, and right-side driving European countries will find Iceland immediately familiar. You can rent a vehicle and begin driving without adjusting to mirrored controls or reversed traffic flow.
Visitors from left-side driving countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, and South Africa need to adjust their driving habits before taking to Icelandic roads.
Key Adjustments for Left-Side Driving Country Visitors
- Stay in the right lane as your default position, moving left only to pass
- Turn into the right lane when making turns at intersections
- Navigate roundabouts counterclockwise, yielding to traffic from the left
- Position yourself on the right when parking parallel to the curb
- Check your right shoulder and mirror when merging onto highways
- Remember that the passenger seat sits closest to the edge of narrow roads
Roundabouts and Intersections
Iceland uses numerous roundabouts, particularly in Reykjavik and other populated areas. In right-side driving countries, traffic flows counterclockwise through roundabouts.
You enter from the right, yield to vehicles already circulating from your left, and exit to the right when you reach your desired road. Signal right before exiting the roundabout to indicate your intention to other drivers.
Right-of-Way Rules
At unmarked intersections without traffic signals or signs, vehicles approaching from the right generally have priority. This rule reinforces the right-side driving pattern.
Always check local signage, as posted signs override the general right-hand priority rule. Many rural intersections feature yield or stop signs that clearly indicate which approach must give way.
Highway and Rural Road Navigation
Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) and other major highways follow international standards for right-side driving. The right lane serves as the slower travel lane, while the left lane allows for passing when visibility and road markings permit.
On single-lane rural roads and mountain passes, drivers must pull to the right when meeting oncoming traffic in areas wide enough for two vehicles to pass safely. Many single-lane bridges require one direction to yield, indicated by road signs showing priority.
Visibility Considerations
The driver’s position on the left side of the vehicle provides better sightlines for assessing oncoming traffic before overtaking on two-lane roads. You sit closer to the centerline, making it easier to see around curves and hills.
This advantage disappears on gravel roads where dust from your own vehicle or passing traffic reduces visibility from either side. Reduce speed and use headlights even during daylight on gravel surfaces.
Rental Vehicle Selection
All rental cars in Iceland come with left-hand drive configuration as standard. You do not need to request or verify this specification when booking, as no rental company operates right-hand drive vehicles in regular service.
Focus instead on selecting appropriate tire type, four-wheel drive capability, ground clearance, and insurance coverage for the season and routes you plan to drive. Winter driving requires studded tires or chains, while highland F-roads demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles regardless of driving side.
Vehicle Inspection Before Driving
When picking up your rental vehicle, verify the location of critical controls from the driver’s seat:
- Headlight switch and high-beam control
- Windshield wiper speed and washer fluid activation
- Turn signal and hazard light switches
- Parking brake release (foot pedal, hand lever, or electronic button)
- Fuel door and hood release levers
- Four-wheel drive engagement method if applicable
Familiarize yourself with these controls in the rental lot before entering traffic. Control locations vary by manufacturer and model, regardless of which side the steering wheel occupies.
Motorcycle and Scooter Operation
Motorcycles and scooters in Iceland position the rider on the left side, with the throttle on the right handlebar and clutch lever on the left. Front brake controls typically mount on the right handlebar, while the rear brake operates via a foot pedal on the right side.
Riders keep to the right side of the lane and follow the same traffic flow as cars and trucks. Lane splitting between stopped or slow-moving traffic is not legal or culturally accepted in Iceland.
Parking Orientation
Parallel parking places your vehicle with the right side against the curb. When pulling into angled or perpendicular parking spaces, position the vehicle so the driver’s door opens away from traffic when possible.
Many Icelandic parking areas use pay-and-display machines or mobile payment apps. These systems work independently of which side you drive on, but you’ll exit on the left side of your vehicle, so park with adequate clearance from obstacles and adjacent cars on that side.
Commercial and Specialty Vehicles
Buses, delivery trucks, emergency vehicles, and construction equipment all follow left-hand drive configuration in Iceland. Emergency vehicles approaching from behind will pass on your left, so move to the right and reduce speed when you see flashing lights or hear sirens.
Large trucks and buses require wider turning radius at intersections. Give these vehicles extra space and expect them to swing wide, particularly when turning right from a stop.
Winter Driving Considerations
Snow, ice, and limited daylight do not change which side of the road you drive on, but they dramatically affect vehicle control and visibility. Icelandic winter conditions demand reduced speed, increased following distance, and heightened attention to road surface and weather.
Black ice forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded sections first. Approach these areas with steady throttle and no sudden steering inputs, keeping your vehicle in the right lane unless actively passing.
Emergency Procedures
If you need to pull over for an emergency, mechanical issue, or to check directions, move as far right as safely possible and activate hazard lights. On highways without shoulders, continue to the nearest parking area or wide spot rather than stopping in the travel lane.
Iceland’s emergency services number is 112. Keep this number accessible and provide your location using road numbers, kilometer markers, or GPS coordinates when calling for assistance.
License and Legal Requirements
Visitors may drive in Iceland using a valid license from their home country if it uses the Latin alphabet, or with an International Driving Permit if the home license uses a different script. Minimum age for car rental typically ranges from 20 to 25 depending on vehicle category and rental company policy.
All occupants must wear seat belts, headlights must remain on at all times regardless of daylight conditions, and mobile phone use requires hands-free equipment. These requirements apply uniformly regardless of driving side and remain in effect throughout Iceland.
Blood Alcohol Limit
Iceland enforces a 0.05% blood alcohol limit for drivers, lower than the 0.08% standard in some countries. Police conduct random breath testing checkpoints, and penalties for impaired driving include substantial fines, license suspension, and potential jail time.
The safest approach is zero alcohol consumption before or during driving. Designate a sober driver, use taxis, or arrange accommodation within walking distance if you plan to drink.
Road Signs and Markings
Iceland uses international standard road signs recognizable to drivers from most countries. Directional signs, warning signs, and regulatory signs follow European conventions with text in Icelandic and sometimes English.
Speed limits appear in kilometers per hour, with typical limits of 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads, and 90 km/h on paved rural highways. Road markings including center lines, edge lines, and no-passing zones follow right-side driving patterns.
Comparison with Neighboring Countries
All of Iceland’s nearest neighbors drive on the right side. Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and continental European countries maintain the same orientation, creating consistency for drivers traveling between Iceland and these destinations.
Only the United Kingdom and Ireland among North Atlantic countries use left-side driving. Drivers accustomed to British or Irish roads face the most significant adjustment when driving in Iceland.
Preparing for Your First Drive in Iceland
Before leaving the rental facility or accommodation, take a few minutes to orient yourself in the vehicle while stationary. Adjust mirrors, seat position, and steering wheel to optimize visibility and comfort from the left-side driving position.
Start with low-traffic roads or parking areas to practice basic maneuvers including turns, lane changes, and reversing. Pay particular attention to your vehicle’s right edge, as this side sits farthest from your sight line and closest to curbs, ditches, and road edges on narrow routes.
First-Day Route Planning
Schedule easier driving for your first few hours behind the wheel if you’re adjusting from left-side driving. Choose well-maintained highways during daylight hours and avoid challenging conditions like gravel roads, mountain passes, or urban rush hour traffic until you feel confident.
Many travelers find the adjustment takes only a few hours of active driving, particularly with an alert passenger who can provide reminders and navigation assistance. Fatigue increases the likelihood of reverting to home-country habits, so take regular breaks and stop driving if you feel tired or disoriented.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Drivers from left-side countries sometimes instinctively drift toward the left after turns, during lane selection on multi-lane roads, or when fatigued. Maintain conscious awareness of your position, use road markings as guides, and follow other traffic to reinforce correct lane discipline.
Another frequent error involves activating wipers instead of turn signals or vice versa, as these controls swap sides compared to right-hand drive vehicles. This mistake causes no safety hazard but can distract you during critical maneuvers.
Resources for Route Planning
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration operates road.is, providing real-time road conditions, closures, and weather affecting driving throughout the country. Check this resource before and during your trip to verify that planned routes remain passable.
SafeTravel.is offers safety guidelines, emergency contact information, and trip registration for travelers exploring Iceland by vehicle. GPS navigation apps work reliably in populated areas but may lack coverage in remote highlands where road conditions change rapidly.
Iceland’s right-side driving system creates an accessible environment for most international visitors and aligns with the majority of worldwide traffic patterns. Understanding this orientation, preparing for specific Icelandic road conditions, and adjusting gradually if you’re accustomed to left-side driving will help you navigate safely and confidently throughout the country.