China licence Iceland

Driving in Iceland with a China license

Short answer: to drive in Iceland with a China license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your China license.

Bring an IDP

Yes — to drive in Iceland on an China licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your China licence. Iceland accepts foreign licences, but an IDP is needed because China licences are not in the local alphabet.

Convention basisIceland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

At the rental deskF-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance.

CarryCarry BOTH your China national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.

Minimum age17+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)

FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits

Last verified June 2026Source: Geneva 1949 / Vienna 1968

Get my IDP for Iceland Full Iceland guide

Mainland China is not party to the IDP conventions, so Chinese drivers typically obtain a temporary local licence in the destination country. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.

Driving rules in Iceland

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.

Common questions

Can I drive in Iceland with a China license?

to drive in Iceland with a China license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your China license. Iceland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

Is my China driver's license valid in Iceland?

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Iceland?

Can I rent a car in Iceland with a China license?

F-road (highland) driving requires a 4x4 and specific insurance.

What IDP format does Iceland accept?

Iceland uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.

How do I get an International Driving Permit for Iceland?

An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing China license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna format Iceland uses — carried alongside your China license.

Do I still carry my China license?

Carry BOTH your China national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.