Don’t drive tired

Iceland driving can be different than you are used to in your home country. When driving a rent a car in Iceland it is important for you to familiarize with the road conditions, the weather and the different nature. Road signs and traffic laws can also be different from your home country.

Gravel roads are not suited for fast driving. They can be icy during winter as well. We ask you to drive carefully as driving on icy surfaces can be quite different than driving on dry surfaces.

Drive at a speed you feel comfortable and let other drivers pass you rather than trying to keep up with the speed of other drivers. Slow down and pull out to the right side when a car comes from the opposite direction to reduce the risk of flying stones that can cause costly damage to the windshield and paint of the car.

1. Landscape – In flat areas chances of ice are greater than in areas with an incline. Chances of ice are also higher when you go higher up because temperatures are lower.
2. Weather – When skies and clear in twilight and during night chances of ice are higher. Nights are usually colder when the air is dry and dew and damp can cause ice on the road surface.
3. Proximity to water or sea – Roads that lie close to waters, rivers or sea have more chances of ice due to more dampness in the air.
4. Shelter – Roads that are sheltered by forests, cliffs etc. have higher chances of ice. Night-frost is more common in still weather than in wind.
5. The thermometer in the car – Please do not depend too much on the thermometer in the car as the temperature by the road can be different than the meter shows. When the meter shows 4-5°C in still weather please be alert and keep in mind that ice can be formed on the roads.