Driving is right-hand sided: you drive on the right side of the road and the driver's seat is on the left side of the vehicle. This is similar to many countries in Europe and North America, but different from places like the UK, Australia, Singapore, or India where driving is left-hand sided.
If you're used to driving on the left-hand side, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the vehicle and the road rules before setting off. Pay particular attention to roundabouts, as the traffic flows in a counter-clockwise direction. Also, remember that the passing lane on highways will be on the left.
Be aware that overtaking is only permitted on long straight stretches of road with clear visibility or in designated areas marked with broken white lines. Do not overtake if a solid white line is present.
Seatbelts are a must: Icelandic law mandates that everyone, regardless of their seating position in the car, must wear a seatbelt. Children under 135 cm are legally required to use the correct car seats for their age (which Beast provides free of charge!).
Never stop in the middle or on the side of the road for photos. Always find a safe spot to stop. Many accidents have occurred when foreign tourists stop at an unsafe spot to admire the view or take pictures.
Choose your speed according to conditions; weather & road. The speed limit applies to the best conditions. In winter, conditions are rarely so good that you can drive according to the speed limit.
Travel: https://safetravel.is/
Weather: https://en.vedur.is/
Road: https://umferdin.is/en
Understanding road conditions: https://www.road.is/travel-info/road-conditions-and-weather/definitions/
Quickview of speed limits:
In populated areas, it's typically 50 km/h;
on thruways, it's often 60 km/h;
residential areas usually have a limit of 30 km/h;
and paved roads allow for speeds of up to 90 km/h
b. Always pay attention to signs indicating if other speed limits apply.
Slow down when approaching gravel roads. The tires will lose grip when crossing from paved roads to gravel, which can cause you to lose control of the car. Be particularly careful on unpaved roads.
Respect road closures for your own safety. “Lokað” means closed. Roads are not closed without good reason.
Roads are often narrow and it can be easy to lose control of the car. Always adjust your speed to the road conditions, even if it's below the speed limit.
Off-road driving is strictly forbidden.
F-roads are unpaved gravel tracks that only open during the summer months and are only accessible in a 4×4 SUV vehicle. Most F-roads criss-cross the mountainous central region of Iceland called the highlands – the ‘F' comes from fjall which means mountain in Icelandic.
While F-roads and gravel roads themselves are not considered off-road driving, they are considered off-road when you drive off them.
If you're not driving a 4x4 jeep, you're not allowed to drive on mountain roads either. Always check road signs and maps.
Check weather & road conditions before you start your day, and even a few times during the day. This is especially important in winter because weather changes very quickly. Recommended site for updates is https://umferdin.is/en.
While Google Maps and other maps can be helpful in navigating, it's important to remember that they may not always accurately reflect closed or impassable roads. Use caution and do not rely solely on these tools.
Stop for oncoming traffic at single lane bridges. The speed limit is 50km/h and the car that arrives first has the right of way. Slow down when getting close to single lane bridges.
The lights on the car are required to be ON at all times – all year round. “Auto” setting on the lights is not enough.
Do not use your phone or tablet when driving. It is illegal to use your phone or tablet while driving in Iceland. Be smart, be safe, pay attention to the driving. Using mobile devices while driving may result in heavy fines.
Do not drive when tired. Switch drivers, stop for 15 minutes, and avoid scheduling long days.
Respect the environment: Stick to marked roads at all times.
Common reasons for fines in Iceland include speeding, not paying for parking or tolls, off-road driving, illegal parking, and staying overnight outside of campsites in a vehicle.
Fines can only be paid directly to the police for a 25% discount, via mail at full price, at a local bank, or by writing to Beast.
See more information https://safetravel.is/driving/