A Guide to Iceland’s Road Signs
Driving in a different country can feel daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. One thing you can do before you set foot in Iceland is to do a little homework about road signs so that you familiarise yourself with the signage you’re likely to see. To help, we’ve put together a brief guide that shows you some of the most common, what they mean, and why they’re important.
Speed limit signs
It’s important for safety reasons that visiting drivers are aware of and stick to the speed limit. As with anywhere, the speed limits vary according to the type of road; look for a number on a circular yellow sign with a red border. Never allow yourself to be tempted to exceed the limit, even if others are doing so. Speed cameras and police patrols are common; the fines levied vary according to the difference between the permitted and your actual speed, but expect them to be steep.
Typically, average speed limits in Iceland are:
30 kph in residential areas
50 kph in other built-up areas
80 kph on gravel roads
90 kph for paved roads
City signs
Stop ahead
Likewise, you’ll need to be familiar with a few city signs to avoid inadvertently parking where you shouldn’t or finding yourself in a problematic situation. First up, if you see the word “Stans” it means stop – and that of course means anywhere, not only in built-up areas.
Prohibited entry
You’ll need to make a detour and try a different direction if you find yourself facing a red circle with a yellow bar through it (entry prohibited). If you’re faced with a circular yellow sign with a red edge, then you can’t access it in a vehicle at all.
Parking Prohibited
Parking spaces are sometimes flagged using a white letter P on a blue background; if you see a blue circle containing a red diagonal line, then parking is not permitted. If it contains two crossed, diagonal red lines on that blue background then you can’t even stop.
Places of interest
Iceland uses brown signs to indicate tourism areas but also has a black on white icon depicting places of interest. For instance, it might indicate the presence of a historic church, turf farm, landmark waterfall or especially scenic beach. The variety of places of interest is quite something, so you may wish to pull over safely and consult the map to see if it’s the kind of attraction you’d like to investigate. Out in the countryside, turn-offs to such places of interest can be indicated by a white sign edged in red, where the icon is placed at the end like so:
Rural signs
This one will make you smile – with so much to read, how could you possibly take in all that information without pulling over? In practice, many of the names on blue signs such as this refer to isolated farms or homes, so you won’t need to worry about them unless perhaps it refers to a guesthouse or cabin that’s your overnight stop, or maybe a horse riding stables that you need for an excursion. There may also be a stray place of interest that has crept in; if so, find a safe place to pull off the road and walk back to have a closer look if necessary.
Animals present
If you’re traveling around Iceland, then one of the most common hazards you’ll need to be aware of in the countryside is the presence of animals. This could be a couple of lambs trailing a ewe – they have zero road sense and have a tendency to run out in front of you if their mother has already crossed – or if you’re driving through East Iceland in winter, even a herd of reindeer. Slow down if you see animals close to the side of the road and proceed slowly as you pass them.
Single carriageway bridge
Rivers and streams abound across Iceland and due to the country’s relatively sparse population, sometimes the bridges that span them are built as a single carriageway both for economic and aesthetic reasons. A few have heavier use than average, such as that approaching Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from the west. Always give way to oncoming traffic and never start to drive across a single-carriageway bridge that already has a vehicle coming towards you.
Tunnel ahead
Tunnels are exceptionally useful in some parts of Iceland as they can shave a significant amount off journey times. It’s useful to know that they are coming, not least because you’ll need to adjust your speed. Be especially cautious if you see this sign with the words “Einbreið Göng “ written underneath.
This means that it’s a single-carriageway tunnel – there will be passing places along its length for you to pull in and give way to oncoming traffic. For instance, you will pass through the 3.4km long Ólafsfjarðargöng if you follow Route 82 to Siglufjörður in North Iceland.
Blind hill
As you might expect from a country known for its topography, you’ll encounter some hills as you tour Iceland. Often, you can see for a long way, but sometimes you’ll come across a blind hill. This warning sign reminds drivers to be cautious and that they should prepare for unexpected oncoming traffic. Where you see the sign writer as Blindhæðir, the Icelandic plural form, this means that there are two or more blind summits in a row.
Road surface becomes gravel
Iceland’s ring road is tarmacked all the way but there are places where if you turn off it, the surface becomes gravel very soon. This means you’ll need to adjust your driving, not only reducing your speed but also ensuring that you increase your stopping distances as your tyres will have less traction on the more slippery surface. Though you should be able to see the surface change approaching, it doesn’t hurt to understand this reminder.
Road suitable for 4x4
Some of Iceland’s roads, notably its F-roads, are unsuitable for 2WD vehicles due to factors such as potholes, river crossings and steep gradients. If you plan to drive into the Icelandic Highlands or venture off the beaten track, it’s a good idea to discuss your route with counter staff when you pick up the vehicle. This road sign is a helpful tool if you’re being spontaneous; you should only continue if you are in a 4x4 otherwise you might get into difficulty, with invalidated insurance as an extra complication.
Mountain road
Similarly, if you see a road sign indicating mountain roads it might not even be a good idea to proceed in a regular 4x4. Torleiði translates as rough terrain. If you see this sign you really need to make sure you are in a vehicle that’s capable of tackling what’s to come. Never underestimate how treacherous Icelandic F-roads can become; if in doubt, turn back.
As a general rule, anything triangular is a warning, while circular signs indicate that an action is mandatory or even prohibited. Rectangular signs give you information, such as distances and more. Remember, as your road trip gets underway, you’ll soon become familiar with these signs.
