Country requirements · Iceland

Do you need an International Driving Permit to drive in Iceland?

Short answer

Iceland doesn't legally require it, but a certified IDP translation — carried with your original licence — is what rental desks and traffic police actually look for when your licence isn't in the Roman alphabet, so most travellers get one anyway. An IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences when renting in Iceland. It is prepared in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format that Iceland recognises. At rental desks operated by Hertz, Enterprise, Alamo, Budget, Avis and Sixt, a valid IDP is a standard counter requirement for foreign licences; arriving without one can mean a refused booking or a lost deposit. Iceland drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 17+, with a young-driver surcharge usually applied under 25.

Get my permit for Iceland See all countries

Written by Daniel Mercer

Reviewed by Sofia LindqvistUpdated July 2026

Sourced from the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna Conventions and rental-network policies

Iceland at a glance

IDPRecommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna

Minimum age to rent17+ (surcharge under 25)

Drive on theRight-hand side

Carry alongsideYour national licence + passport

CurrencyISK

Top speed limit90 km/h paved rural roads

Emergency number112

Driving in Iceland

What the rules require

When do you need an IDP in Iceland?

An IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences when renting in Iceland.

Does renting a car in Iceland require an IDP?

F-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance. Having your permit ready avoids losing your reservation at the counter.

Driving rules in Iceland you should know

Headlights on 24/7 by law.
Off-road driving is illegal and heavily fined.
0.05% alcohol limit.
Gravel and single-lane bridges common on Route 1.

How long is an IDP valid in Iceland?

Iceland honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. If you travel regularly, the validity clock starts on the issue date, not on first use — so order close to your departure to maximise usable time.

Documents checklist for driving in Iceland

Your original national driving licence — the IDP is a translation and is never valid on its own.
Your International Driving Permit, in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format Iceland uses.
Your passport or accepted national ID for police checks and rental pick-up.
For rentals: the credit card used for the booking and your rental agreement (it covers the registration and insurance papers).
Local currency or a card for road costs — Iceland uses the ISK.

Driving in Iceland: the practical detail

Sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that actually catch foreign drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

A valid foreign licence with a photo and Roman/Latin lettering is accepted for tourist driving; an IDP is recommended if the licence is not in Latin script. Rental firms generally require holders to have held a licence for at least one year.

Tolls & road charges

The only toll is the Vadlaheidi tunnel near Akureyri (the older Hvalfjordur tunnel is now free); pay online within hours of passing via tunnel.is or the app. A nationwide distance-based road usage charge began phasing in from 2026.

Parking in the cities

Reykjavik uses paid zones P1 to P4 (P1 the central, priciest zone), payable by meter or the Parka/EasyPark app; the compact centre relies on strictly enforced paid street parking rather than congestion charging, and overstays are ticketed promptly.

Winter & seasonal rules

Winter tyres are effectively required Nov 1 to Apr 14 (minimum 3 mm tread), and studded tyres are only permitted in that window, with fines around ISK 20,000 per wheel for using studs outside it. Rentals are fitted accordingly in winter.

Fuel & filling up

Stations sell 95 octane petrol and Diesel and are overwhelmingly self-service, requiring a chip-and-PIN card with a PIN (many fully unattended); rural stations can be 80 to 100 km apart so keep the tank above half. Fuel is expensive, often around ISK 300+ per litre.

If you have an accident

Call the single emergency number 112 for police, ambulance and fire; report injuries or significant damage. Do not move vehicles if anyone is hurt, photograph the scene, and complete the accident form provided with the rental, as the rental contract dictates damage reporting (gravel, sand and door-wind damage are common Icelandic claims).

Driving in the capital

Reykjavik's tight one-way central streets and zoned paid parking (P1 to P4) trip up visitors; there is no congestion charge but enforcement of the central P1 zone is aggressive and many roads beyond the city quickly turn to gravel.

Fines & enforcement

Speeding cameras are widespread and fines are steep, starting around ISK 15,000 and rising fast; handheld phone use, no seatbelt and any off-road/off-track driving carry large fines. Police can fine on the spot and rental firms pass on camera and damage charges automatically from the card on file.

A drive worth taking

The Golden Circle (Thingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss) and the full Ring Road (Route 1) around the island are the iconic Icelandic drives; highland F-roads require a 4x4 and open only in summer.

Sources: thrifty.is · camperrentaliceland.com · hertz.is · guidetoiceland.is

Iceland · common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive in Iceland?

An International Driving Permit is recommended but not strictly mandatory for driving in Iceland on a foreign licence, and it is most useful when your national licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet. An IDP is recommended for non-Latin-script licences when renting in Iceland. Your IDP is prepared in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format that Iceland recognises. Rental companies at major agencies frequently request one, so having it eliminates uncertainty at the counter and smooths roadside checks.

Which IDP format does Iceland accept, and how long is it valid?

Iceland honours both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention formats. A 1949-format IDP is valid for up to 1 year; a 1968-format IDP can be valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires. The format matters because some countries are signatories to only one convention, meaning an IDP in the wrong format may not be recognized. International Driver Licence prepares your permit in the exact booklet format that Iceland requires, eliminating any ambiguity at rental desks or police checks. Remember that the validity period begins on the issue date, not when you first arrive in the country — this is critical for trip planning, especially if you're traveling across multiple countries over several weeks. Plan your order timing carefully to ensure your permit remains valid throughout your intended driving period in Iceland.

Do I need an IDP to rent a car in Iceland?

Yes, an IDP is highly recommended when renting a car in Iceland. F-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance. Most major rental chains — including Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, Sixt and Alamo — list a valid International Driving Permit as a standard counter requirement for foreign licences, especially those not printed in English. The minimum rental age in Iceland is typically 17+, and most agencies apply a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25. Arriving without your IDP can result in a refused booking, a held security deposit, or being forced to pay inflated rates for a last-minute local driver upgrade. Always bring your IDP, your original national licence, your passport and the credit card used for the booking — having all documents ready significantly reduces friction at pick-up.

Which side of the road does Iceland drive on?

Iceland drives on the right-hand side of the road. Headlights on 24/7 by law. This is one of the most crucial adjustments for international drivers — muscle memory from your home country can lead to serious errors if you're suddenly on the opposite side. Pay special attention when turning left or right, overtaking, and using roundabouts, as these manoeuvres feel unintuitive when reversed. Rental companies often include brief driving-side orientation tips in their contract, but it's worth spending the first 10–15 minutes on quiet roads to acclimatize. Many foreign drivers who cause accidents in Iceland do so within the first few hours due to this disorientation, so allow extra time and heightened alertness until the adjustment becomes automatic.

What is the drink-driving limit in Iceland?

0.05% alcohol limit. Penalties for exceeding the limit as a foreign driver in Iceland are severe and enforced rigorously. On-the-spot fines commonly reach several hundred euros or the local equivalent, and vehicle impoundment can occur immediately — your rental insurance is often invalidated if you test positive, leaving you personally liable for tow and storage costs. Some countries impose driving bans that extend into subsequent years, complicating future visits. Police in Iceland conduct random breath tests at checkpoints and after minor incidents, so even a single drink significantly raises your risk. The safest rule is simple: do not drive after consuming any alcohol. Use taxis, ride-shares, or designated-driver services instead; the cost is trivial compared to fines, insurance claims and legal troubles.

What is the speed limit in Iceland?

The maximum for cars on the fastest road class in Iceland is 90 km/h paved rural roads. However, limits drop significantly in built-up areas, residential zones and on secondary roads — always observe posted signs as they take absolute precedence over general limits. Speed enforcement in Iceland relies on fixed cameras, mobile radar units and plainclothes patrols that target foreign drivers, and fines are often steep. Critically, fines charged to foreign drivers typically arrive weeks later through your rental company as an administrative fee, sometimes inflated with handling charges, so you may not realize you were caught speeding until after your trip ends. Modern rental cars often display speed limits automatically on the dashboard — reference this feature continuously. Exceeding the limit by just 10–20 km/h can trigger automatic fines, so maintain consistent compliance and allow extra time for your journey.

What is the emergency number in Iceland?

Dial 112 in Iceland for police, fire or medical emergencies. From any GSM mobile phone, 112 also connects to local emergency services in most countries even without a local SIM card or active service plan. After an accident, remain at the scene and secure it immediately — place your warning triangle at least 50 metres behind your vehicle (30 metres on motorways). Turn on hazard lights and move yourself and passengers to a safe location away from traffic. Notify your rental company without delay before attempting any repairs; most rental agreements require this, and proceeding otherwise may void insurance coverage. Exchange contact and insurance details with other parties involved, take photos of the damage, and request a police report if injuries occurred or if the accident is disputed. Do not admit liability or sign documents you don't understand; let your rental company's local legal team handle communications.

What documents should I carry while driving in Iceland?

Always carry your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format, and your passport or national ID card (police may request ID during routine checks). For rental vehicles, bring the rental agreement itself, as it functions as proof of insurance and authorization — keep it easily accessible. Iceland uses the ISK, so carry local currency or a credit card; many rural petrol stations and toll booths still accept cash only. Some drivers also carry a second colour photocopy of their licence and IDP, stored separately from the originals in case of loss. Do not be tempted to drive without these documents — police in Iceland conduct random document checks, especially at borders and motorway rest areas, and fines for missing documentation can be substantial. Present your original licence together with the IDP — showing only the IDP will result in a citation. Keep all documents in a small travel organizer within arm's reach, not in the boot.

Is an IDP the same as a driver's licence in Iceland?

No — an IDP is fundamentally different from a driver's licence. It is a certified multilingual translation of your existing national licence prepared in the United Nations convention format (either 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna). An IDP does not grant any driving privileges by itself and holds no legal validity unless presented together with your original, valid national licence. Think of it as a document that helps local authorities, police, and rental staff understand your credentials when your home licence is difficult to verify. Some countries, including the United States, issue official government IDPs only through authorized bodies such as AAA and AATA. International Driver Licence is a reputable certified service provider, but its translation is not a substitute for a government-issued IDP where one is legally required in your home country. If you're unsure whether a government IDP is mandatory before departure, check your national motor authority's website before ordering a translation service IDP.

How long does it take to get an IDP for Iceland?

With International Driver Licence, you receive your digital IDP by email in as fast as 8 minutes after your application is approved — this makes it possible to order even while you're at the airport or at the rental counter. Your permit arrives as a printable 16-page convention-format PDF booklet in the exact format that Iceland recognizes, plus a wallet-sized card that includes a QR code for instant online verification by authorities or rental staff. This digital-first approach eliminates the delays of traditional postal mail and gives you instant access to your documents on your smartphone, making it practical for last-minute trips or as a backup if you misplace a printed copy. Print the PDF on standard white paper — no special materials are required. The entire permit package fits standard wallets, and having a digital backup on your phone ensures you're never caught without proof of your credentials, even if your documents are lost or damaged during travel.

Rental requirements in Iceland

Hertz Enterprise Alamo Budget National Thrifty Sixt

Driving in Iceland on a foreign licence

With a US licence With a UK licence With a Canada licence With a Australia licence With a Ireland licence With a NZ licence With a India licence With a South Africa licence With a Germany licence With a France licence

100% money-back guarantee

Full refund if your permit is ever declined.

Unlimited replacements

Lost or damaged? Re-download or reprint, free.

24/7 support

Help before and during your trip, any hour.