Road signs in Iceland, explained

Give way

Biðskylda

Give way to traffic on the road you are joining.

What to do: Slow down and stop if needed. Ignoring it costs ISK 30,000.

Stop

Stöðvunarskylda

Stop completely and give way to traffic on the road you are joining.

What to do: Stop at the line even if the road looks clear. Ignoring it costs ISK 30,000.

No entry

No entry for vehicles from your direction.

What to do: Do not drive in.

Side road junction ahead, you have priority

A side road joins ahead. You are on the main road and have priority.

What to do: Carry on with care and watch for vehicles pulling out.

Automatic police camera

Löggæslumyndavél

An automatic police camera ahead may photograph traffic offences such as speeding.

What to do: Check your speed and keep to the limit.

Average speed check

Meðalhraðaeftirlit

Your average speed is measured over the section of road that starts here.

What to do: Keep to the limit for the whole section. Slowing down only at the cameras does not help.

Speed limit

Hámarkshraði

The maximum speed in km/h.

What to do: Keep to it. Without a sign, the limit is 90 km/h on paved roads, 80 km/h on gravel and 50 km/h in towns.

Recommended speed

The recommended speed for a bend, hill or other hazard ahead. It is always lower than the speed limit.

What to do: Slow to this speed. It marks a real hazard.

End of special speed limit

Sérstök takmörkun hámarkshraða afnumin

The special limit ends, and the general limit for the area applies again.

What to do: Return to the general limit: 90 km/h on paved roads, 80 km/h on gravel or 50 km/h in towns.

Tunnel ahead

Jarðgöng

A tunnel ahead.

What to do: Do not stop in the tunnel. Some tunnels have a single lane for traffic in both directions.

Single-lane bridge

Einbreið brú

The bridge ahead is only one lane wide and carries traffic in both directions.

What to do: Slow down. The car closer to the bridge goes first. If a car is on the bridge or will reach it before you, stop and wait.

Blind hill

Blindhæð

The road crosses a hill that hides oncoming traffic. Often the two directions are not separated.

What to do: Slow down, keep right, and do not overtake or stop near the crest.

Paved road ends

Malbik endar

The paved surface ends and a gravel road begins.

What to do: Slow down before the change. The limit on gravel is 80 km/h, and loose stones can crack windscreens.

Animals

Dýr

Animals, often sheep, may be on or beside the road.

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop. Sheep may run across the road to rejoin their group.

Strong gusts

Sviptivindur

Strong gusts of wind are frequent on this stretch.

What to do: Slow down and keep both hands on the wheel. Hold the door firmly when you open it.

Parking

Bílastæði

Parking is allowed here.

What to do: Check any plate below for time limits and whether you must pay.

No parking

You may stop briefly, but you may not park.

What to do: Do not leave the car. Parking where it is banned in Reykjavík costs ISK 10,000.

No stopping

Stopping and parking are both banned.

What to do: Do not stop here, even briefly.

No vehicles

No vehicles may enter, from any direction.

What to do: Do not drive in. A sign with the words 'Óheimilt að aka' (driving prohibited) at a track also means you may not drive on it.

Mountain road (F-road)

Fjallvegur

A highland road for four-wheel-drive vehicles only. It may have rivers without bridges.

What to do: Do not enter in a two-wheel-drive car. Check that the road is open on umferdin.is first.

Passing place

Útskot

A widened spot on a narrow road where vehicles can pass each other.

What to do: Pull in to let oncoming traffic pass. On a narrow stretch, the vehicle that arrives first has priority.