Route and direction signs
Supplementary signs
Distance to
danger or
to place covered by
prohibition or
instruction
Distance to and length
of danger or
prohibition zone
Directions to which
prohibition or instruction applies
Extent of prohibition
area to the left
Extent of prohibition
area to the right
Parking places
parallel to road
Parking places at
right-angles to road
Extent of prohibition
area, both directions
Duration of prohibition
Duration of permission
Route direction
Turnoff (b)
outside capital area
Turnoff (a)
in capital area
Route direction
without road number
Turnoff to place of interest,
airport, harbour,
public building or other
place of service
Exit lane marking (a)
in capital area
Exit lane marking (b)
outside capital area
Many rural roads in Iceland are
gravel roads not suited to fast
driving. Please drive carefully and
show other road-users consideration
at all times. When you meet another
car, slow down, and pull out to the
side of the road.
Always pay attention to road signs,
especially when travelling
on unfamiliar roads.
The general speed limit is 50 km/h
in urban areas, 80 km/h on gravel
roads in rural areas and 90 km/h
on hard-surfaced roads.
Please note: special warning signs
indicate danger ahead, such as
sharp bends, but there is generally
no separate sign to reduce speed.
Many rivers in the highlands are
unbridged. Therefore, it is important
that you make sure that the conditions
are safe before you attempt to cross
- especially when a vehicle is travelling
unaccompanied, i.e. not in a convoy.
Distance to danger or area
covered by prohibition or
instruction
Parking for
disabled people
Primary traffic routes
Direction to left
Direction forward
and to right
Direction
straight ahead
Direction forward
and to left
Destinations ahead (a)
with distances in
capital area
Caution - blind
people
..so please drive carefully!
Destinations ahead (b)
with distances outside
capital area
Caution - deaf
people
Course of main road at intersections
Be extra careful when
driving on Icelandic roads
because pets and
domestic animals
often roam onto the road.
Please be aware that you
might be liable for
compensation for animals
involved in accidents.
Total permitted
weight limit
Offending vehicles
will be removed
Difficult road. Negotiable
only by jeeps, i.e.
vehicles which are higher
than ordinary private
cars and have 4-wheel
drive.
Newly-laid
road surface
Very rough track. Used
to mark tracks which are
only negotiable by
specially-equipped off-road
vehicles.
Blind rise
Unbridged
river
Road for slow driving only.
Displayed at the beginning
of a road which is negotiable
by good private cars but calls
for slow speeds.
Blind rises
Destinations ahead
and map (a)
in capital area
Place direction
Accident risk area
Lane direction sign
Sreet or road name
Road number
Destinations ahead with
route numbers (b)
outside capital area
Place name
Single-width
surface
Stop sign ahead
End of tarred road
Destinations ahead with
route numbers (a)
in capital area
Destinations ahead
and map (b)
outside capital area
Single-width bridge
Road number
(approach)
House numbers
Unnumbered road
Orgarnized
street running
Abandoned farm
County or municipal boundary sign
(small)
Lane markings
Lane markings inform the driver of the layout of lanes on the road, how
they come to an end and which lane to choose when approaching an intersection.
County or municipal
boundary sign (large))
Icelandic highland roads are not
meant for ordinary cars, and
that includes hire cars.
Their insurance does not cover
them for driving on highland roads.
Destinations ahead (a)
with distances in capital area
Destinations ahead (b)
with distances outside
capital area
Information on cycle path
Driving off marked roads is prohibited.
It results in irreparable damage to the
land and the plant cover which may
remain visible for centuries.
Drivers who cause damage to the land
and the vegetation may be liable to
claims for compensation.
There are many blind hills on our
roads, some of them without any
markings at all. Many of them
however, are marked with the
warning sign "OTHER DANGER"
above the word "BLINDHÆ‹"
(BLIND RISE).
Information on cycle path
Lane markings showing where a lane ends
Approach lane merges with right-hand lane
Information sign
PEOPLE WHO RESPECT TRAFFIC SIGNS CAUSE FEWER ACCIDENTS
..so please drive carefully!
Lane on far right is for
traffic joining the road
Many bridges are too narrow to allow
more than one car to cross at a time.
Lane markings showing the
arrangement of lanes at an intersection
Lane markings showing the number of
lanes on the road, their direction, type and position
Lane markings above road, indicating choice of lanes
Sign showing number of
lanes on road to be entered
..so please drive carefully!
Please ask for information about the
various roads and tracks in the highlands, e.g. at the office of Vegager›in
(The Public Roads Administration).
Tel.: 1777. Highland roads are often
impassable far into summer. Please
remember that driving off the
established roads and tracks is
forbidden in the highlands as well as
everywhere else.
Please be prepared for farm animals
grazing by the roadside and straying
into or crossing the road. Drivers who
cause injury or death to such animals
may be liable to claims for
compensation.
No-one may drive a motor vehicle
in Iceland after drinking
alcoholic beverages.
All travellers are obliged to use
safety belts where
they are available.
Beware of getting too tired at the
wheel. Iceland may look small on a
map of the world, but distances that
seem short on the map may take a
long time to cover by car. So please
take long journeys in easy stages
and enjoy them to the full.
Drivers are obliged to
drive with headlights on
at all times.
Umfer›arrá›, Borgartúni 33, 150 Reykjavík • Sími: 562 2000 • Fax : 562 7500 • http://www.umferd.is • 05.2001-30.000-AUR-SP-(3020)
Direction to right
Keep this booklet in your car for reference
Notice of
destination ahead
Parking places
at angle to road
Warning signs
Police hand signals
Instruction signs
Provisional signs
Traffic signals
Prohibition signs
Information signs
Other signs
Service signs
Road markings
Supplementary signs
Lane markings
Route and direction signs
P E O P L E W H O R E S P E C T TR A F F I C S I G N S C A U S E F E W E R A C C I D E N T S
The Icelandic Traffic Council wishes you pleasant and accident-free travelling and a safe journey home.
Published by The Icelandic Traffic Council,
Borgartúni 33, 150 Reykjavík, Iceland.
Tel.:+354 562 2000 Fax:+354 562 7500
www.umferd.is
In co-operation with
The Puplic Roads Administration
Instruction signs
Warning Signs
Road markings
Other signs
Central lines separating traffic in different
directions
Dangerous bend
to right
Dangerous bend
to left
Dangerous bend
first to right
Dangerous bend
first to left
Dangerous
intersection
Give Way
Total weight limit
of combination
Direction of traffic
Axle weight
limit
Stop and
Give Way
Stop Checkpoint
Roadside
markers
left – right
from side roads
from the left
from the right
from the right
from the left
Dangerous intersection where traffic on secondary road must give way
Cyclists and
pedestrians
only
Separate lanes for
pedestrians and cyclists
Path for
riders
No stopping
Limits of no-parking
zone
Signs indicating traffic lane(s)
Give Way to
oncoming
traffic
Overtaking prohibited
Overtaking prohibited across lines
Half-broken centre line.
Overtaking dangerous, only allowed with
extreme care
Half-broken centre line
with unbroken central line
Broken centre line.
Overtaking dangerous, only
allowed with care
Overtaking permitted for
traffic within broken lane line
No parking
Maximum speed limit
in kilometres/hour
Roadside
markers
in snow area
left – right
Warning marks at side
of road
Warning marks
in tunnels
Warning marks
on bridges
Warning marks where
road branches
End of maximum
speed limit
Warning
post
..so please drive carefully!
Direction
arrow
Direction arrows at end
of road
Warning
marks
- roadworks
Horizontal barriers roadworks
Many rural roads in Iceland are gravel roads not suited
to fast driving. Please drive carefully and show other
Children
Roundabout
road-users consideration at all times.
Pedestrian
crossing ahead
Loose stones
Traffic
signals
Low-flying
aircraft
Roundabout
traffic
Cycles only
No right turn
Beginning and end of
special speed restriction
Pedestrian path
No left turn
No U-turn
Central lines separating traffic in same
direction
Service signs
No overtaking
Unbroken dividing line
(restriction line)
Sidelines marking edge of road
Traffic signals
Tunnel
Two-way
traffic
Slippery road
High road
surface edge
Soft road
shoulder
No overtaking
by lorries
Gusts of
wind
End of prohibition
on overtaking
Transport of
water-polluting
substances
prohibited
End of prohibition
on overtaking.
Overtaking by
lorries permitted.
Cyclists
Road narrows
on both sides
Road narrows
from right-hand
side
Steep hill
downwards
Steep hill
upwards
Uneven road
Speed reduction
bump
Travellers bringing their own motor vehicles
to Iceland by car-ferries must be prepared having
them inspected upon arrival.
Risk of falling
rocks or
avalanche from right
Covered
parking
Parking
Quayside
Cattle
Sheep
and rear to stop
with same meaning
as amber light
Provisional signs
Provisional signs are intended to
warn drivers of temporary changes
in the road system.
They contain information applying to
the area in question.
No tractors,
off-road vehicles
on wheels or
motor-propelled
machinery
No
pedestrians
Driving off marked roads is prohibited. It results in
Priority
road
End of priority
road
Place for turning
on left
No entry
No motor
vehicles
No motor vehicles
except solo motorcycles,
scooters or mopeds
No lorries
Thunderbox
toilet
Waste tank
discharge
Town centre Industrial area
Viewpoint
Viewpoint with
information dial
Rubbish
bin
Rubbish
container
Priority over
approaching traffic
Restaurant
Place for allowing
oncoming traffic
to pass parking
prohibition
Fire
extinguisher
Tourist
information
Information
office
Place
of interest
Starting
point for
walks
Lay-by
Car repair
garage
Tyre repairs
Car hire
Unbroken sideline
Broken sideline
Markings across the road
Radio
Petrol station
Stop line
Pedestrian
crossing
“Give-Way“ line
Prohibition
area
Refreshments
in private
home
Hotel
Sleeping-bag Youth hostel
Holiday
cottage for hire
accommodation
Refuge hut
Camping site
Lane indicator
Direction arrows
One-way
traffic
No
motorcycles
No track-driven
cross-country vehicles
(snow scooters)
No mopeds
No bicycles
or mopeds
Busstop
Width limit
Length limit
Height limit
Cooking
facilities
Horse hire
Angling
permits
End of traffic
integration zone
Shower
Hot-pot
Washing
machine
Meeting
facilities
Ski-lift
Chair ski-lift
Swimming
pool
Sports
centre
Sports field
Various other symbols or letterings are also marked on the road to draw
attention to traffic signs or give other information concerning traffic
Exit from area
Bus terminal
Access for
disabled people
Built-up area
Pedestrian
underpass
to right
Pedestrian
underpass
to left
Pedestrian
overpass
to right
Sea angling Whale-watching
Cross-country Snowcat trips
skiing area
Golf course
End of
built-up area
No horse
riding
Traffic
integration zone
Smallest interval
between motor vehicles
Caravan
park
Stop sign ahead
Special vehicles
only
Advance warning
of “Give-Way“
No parking
No stopping
Parking places
Snowscooters
for hire
Waterscooters
for hire
Bicycles
for hire
Boats
for hire
Water skiing
River rafting
Church
Graveyard
Bank
Automatic
teller machine
Post office
Tourist shop
Supermarket
Bakery
Sales kiosk
Handicrafts
Greenhouse
Art gallery
Library
Aquarium
Domestic
animal park
Dog hotel
Veterinary
surgeon
Car ferry
Boat trips
Airport
Airstrip
Pedestrian
overpass
to left
Total
weight limit
Toll road
PEOPLE WHO RESPECT TRAFFIC SIGNS CAUSE FEWER ACCIDENTS
Entrance to area
No buses
or coaches
irreparable damage to the land and the plant cover which
may remain visible for centuries.
Parking place for
goods vehicles
Signs indicating where large
vehicles may be turned around, e.g.
in tunnels. Further information is provided
on an additional sign below.
Taxi rank
Warning -
Public
lavatory
Cafeteria
Pedestrian
crossing
No through
road
Traffic from front
Public
telephone
Emergency
telephone
or radio
Other danger
No vehicles
..so please drive carefully!
Parking place
for coaches
Flashing blue light
- accident or fire
Place for turning
on right
- traffic allowed
from side
Reserved
parking place for
disabled person’s Reserved parking place for
disabled person’s
vehicle
vehicle with number
Prohibition signs
Police hand signals
Emergency
shelter
Arrows indicating traffic lanes
Flashing amber light
- roadworks
Flashing red light - stop
due to temporary danger
Place for putting
snow-chains
on tyres
Risk of falling
rocks or
avalanche from left
Pharmacy
Road narrows
from left-hand
side
Traffic signals
for buses
Roadworks
Police
Lines indicating appropriate lanes
Traffic signals
for pedestrians
..so please drive carefully!
Clinic
Broken sideline across side-road
Information signs
Horses
crossing
First-Aid post
Vehicles carrying
dangerous
goods prohibited
Traffic signals with
direction arrows
Traffic signals with
direction arrows
Traffic signals
Pedestrian
crossing ahead
Broken dividing line
Maximum speeds
..so please drive carefully!