Iceland Driving Theory Test (ÖR-próf) cheat sheet

Umferðarlög (Road Traffic Act) is the framework statute; detailed rules on signs, markings, equipment and licensing are set in regulations issued under it, so both statute and regulation text apply.

The driver is responsible for the vehicle's roadworthiness and for every act of driving; a licence holder may not lend a vehicle to someone who lacks the correct class of licence for it.

A driver must stop and identify themselves after any accident involving injury or significant property damage, and must notify police where persons are injured.

Seat belt use is mandatory for the driver and all passengers where belts are fitted; the driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 15 are correctly restrained.

Driving while impaired by alcohol, narcotics or medication that reduces fitness is prohibited regardless of measured level; police may require a breath, blood or other sample.

Documents to carry or produce: valid driving licence for the vehicle class; vehicle registration and proof of mandatory insurance and roadworthiness inspection must be current.

Traffic offences carry fines, penalty points (points accumulate on the licence) and, for serious cases, disqualification from driving; police may suspend driving on the spot in defined cases.

Instructions from police officers and temporary signals override permanent signs and markings; a driver must obey a uniformed officer directing traffic.

Sign shapes carry meaning: circles give orders (red ring = prohibition, blue = mandatory instruction), triangles warn of hazards, rectangles give information or services.

Priority signs: a yellow diamond with white border marks a priority road; the inverted triangle with a red border means give way; the octagon STOP requires a full stop at the line.

Speed limit signs are circular with a red ring and black number; a grey diagonal band or a matching end-of-limit sign cancels the limit and the general limit applies again.

Prohibition signs (no overtaking, no entry, weight/length limits) end at the next junction unless a separate end sign or an area sign states otherwise.

Road markings: a continuous centre line may not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when safe; double continuous lines forbid crossing from either side.

Traffic lights: steady red means stop before the stop line; amber means stop unless stopping is unsafe; green means proceed if the way is clear and does not confer right-of-way.

Flashing amber at a light means the signals are out of order or caution is required; normal sign and right-of-way rules then govern the junction.

Direction signs and place names are typically white on blue for routes and white on brown for tourist destinations; temporary yellow signs mark roadworks and take precedence.

At an unmarked junction with no signs or signals, the general rule is to give way to traffic approaching from the right.

A give-way or stop sign removes the right-hand rule: you must yield to traffic on the priority road in both directions before entering or crossing.

Turning across oncoming traffic: a driver turning left must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right.

Entering a road from a private driveway, car park, petrol station or field gives no priority; yield to all traffic already on the road.

Roundabouts: traffic already circulating has priority; entering drivers yield at the give-way line, signal to leave, and must not change lane across a solid line inside the roundabout.

Pedestrians on or about to enter a zebra crossing have priority; drivers must stop before the crossing and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at one.

Emergency vehicles with blue lights and sirens have priority; other drivers must give way, but the emergency driver must still proceed safely.

At junctions, do not enter the box if traffic ahead would force you to stop on the crossing area or block the junction.

General limits in Iceland: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads in rural areas, and 90 km/h on paved rural roads, unless signs state otherwise.

Lower signed limits (e.g. 30, 60, 70) apply from the sign to the next junction or end-of-limit sign; temporary roadworks limits are binding.

A safe following distance on dry road is at least the distance covered in three seconds; double it in rain, on gravel or with poor visibility, and increase further on ice.

Stopping distance = reaction distance (speed x reaction time) + braking distance; braking distance rises with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples it.

Overtaking is prohibited where visibility is limited (crests, bends), at crossings, and where a continuous line or no-overtaking sign applies; return to the right lane only when the manoeuvre is safely completed.

Headlights (dipped beam) must be used day and night; use main beam only where it will not dazzle oncoming or preceding traffic.

When a bus indicates it is leaving a stop in a built-up area, give it room to pull out; keep clear of crossings, junctions and bus stops when queuing.

Adapt speed so you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear, especially at night, in fog or on blind crests.

Tyre tread depth must be at least 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; winter tyres are expected in winter conditions and studded tyres are subject to seasonal rules.

Tyre pressure and condition (cuts, bulges, uneven wear) must be checked regularly; incorrect pressure affects grip, fuel use and braking.

Brakes must be tested: pedal should not feel spongy, the handbrake must hold the car on a slope, and the brake fluid level must be between the marks.

Lights to verify: dipped beam, main beam, indicators, brake lights, reversing lights, rear fog light, side lights and the registration plate light.

Fluids and warning lamps: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid must be at the correct level; a red warning lamp means stop safely and investigate.

Mandatory equipment includes a warning triangle, a reflective vest and, in winter conditions, equipment suited to the vehicle and route; spare wheel or repair kit must be serviceable.

A vehicle must pass periodic roadworthiness inspection (skoðun) at the prescribed intervals; an expired inspection makes driving unlawful.

Loads must be secured and must not obscure lights, plates or the driver's view; overhanging loads must be marked as regulations require.

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers where fitted; the driver is responsible for ensuring children are correctly restrained.

Children shorter than 135 cm must use an approved child restraint or booster suited to their height and weight; a rear-facing restraint must not be used in front of an active airbag.

A rear-facing child seat should be fitted in the rear where possible; the airbag on the passenger side must be deactivated if a rear-facing seat is used there.

Motorcycle and moped riders and passengers must wear an approved helmet; a helmet must be correctly fastened and undamaged.

A reflective vest and warning triangle must be carried; put on the vest before leaving the vehicle on a road at night or in poor visibility.

Head restraints should be adjusted so the top is level with the top of the head to reduce whiplash injury in a rear impact.

Do not carry a child on your lap or in an adult belt alone; an adult belt on a small child concentrates impact forces on the abdomen and neck.

Helmets and child restraints that have been in a crash must be replaced, even if damage is not visible.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 % (20 mg per 100 ml of blood), effectively a zero-tolerance threshold; any alcohol before driving is unsafe.

Impairment by narcotics or by medication that reduces alertness is an offence even when alcohol is below the limit; check the label and ask a pharmacist.

Fatigue signs: heavy eyelids, drifting, missed signs, yawning and difficulty keeping lane position; the only reliable remedy is to stop and rest, not to open a window or turn up music.

After long drives take a break at least every two hours; on Icelandic routes plan fuel, food and rest stops because distances between services can be long.

Illness, injury and severe stress reduce fitness to drive; a driver who feels unwell should not drive or should stop as soon as it is safe.

Medicines for allergies, pain, anxiety and sleep can cause drowsiness; combining them with alcohol increases impairment.

A driver must not drive if their vision does not meet the required standard; corrective lenses required by the licence must be worn.

Alcohol is eliminated slowly by the liver; coffee, cold air and food do not speed it up, so a morning-after drive can still be over the limit.

Scan far ahead and check mirrors regularly; identify hazards early (pedestrians near the kerb, parked cars, animals, farm vehicles) and plan an escape route.

Keep a space cushion around the car; avoid travelling beside other vehicles and leave room to brake or swerve if a hazard develops.

In built-up areas watch for children, cyclists and doors opening from parked cars; reduce speed and be ready to stop.

On blind crests, bends and narrow sections, slow before the hazard so you can stop within the visible distance.

In Iceland, sheep and horses may be loose on or near roads, especially in rural areas; slow down and be prepared for animals to move unpredictably.

Single-lane bridges require yielding as signed; slow down, check the far end and do not enter if an oncoming vehicle is already on it.

When meeting oncoming traffic on a narrow road, the vehicle with the obstacle on its side yields; use passing places and reverse if necessary.

Avoid sudden braking or steering on gravel, ice or loose surfaces; brake gently and steer smoothly to keep grip.

Winter driving: fit winter tyres, carry a scraper, brush, warm clothing, food and a charged phone; clear all windows, lights and plates of snow and ice before driving.

Ice and snow reduce grip; drive at lower speed, brake earlier and more gently, and avoid cruise control on slippery surfaces.

Mountain roads (fjallvegir) may be closed in winter; check road conditions (e.g. road.is) and weather before setting out, and never pass a closed-road barrier.

Gravel roads: reduce speed, keep more distance to avoid windscreen damage from flying stones, and beware of loose gravel at the edges and washboard surfaces.

River crossings (vað) are only for suitable vehicles; check depth and current on foot first, cross slowly in low gear, and never cross fast-flowing or deep water.

Weather changes fast: fog, heavy rain and sudden wind gusts (especially on bridges and open stretches) require lower speed and a firm, smooth grip on the wheel.

Use dipped headlights in all conditions; in dense fog use the rear fog light only when visibility is seriously reduced and switch it off afterwards.

If stranded in a storm, stay with the vehicle, keep the engine running intermittently for warmth with a window cracked, and call the emergency number 112.

At an accident: stop, switch on hazard lights, put on a reflective vest, place the warning triangle behind the scene and call 112 for injuries or danger.

Check the scene for further danger (traffic, fire, fuel leaks) before helping; do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger.

Assess the casualty: check response and breathing; if not breathing normally, start CPR and send for an ambulance and defibrillator.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure; keep the casualty warm and still, and do not give food or drink.

Report the accident to police where anyone is injured; exchange names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance details with the other party.

Do not leave the scene of an accident you were involved in until it is lawful to do so; failure to stop is a serious offence.

The European emergency number 112 works in Iceland for police, ambulance and fire; give location, number of casualties and hazards clearly.

Icelandic mountain rescue (björgunarsveit) can be called through 112; if lost or stuck, stay put, keep warm and make your position visible.