The Icelandic road system is unique and drivers must be aware of both on-road and off-road conditions. Well now I'm reading horror stories about the speed cameras in Iceland and the rental car companies charging people's card for a ton of money. Went to iceland back in august, got pulled over at 2:59am for speeding, Paid a 500$ish tickets by a police cruiser that picked me up on radar. Speed limits in Iceland vary according to the type of road you are on, and if its urban or rural, so it is important you check signs when driving and keep within speed limits. What do you do if you get a speeding ticket in Iceland? It is then important that people understand the risks they take when they drive there. How are speed limits controlled in Iceland? Mobile radar detects your speed and you are intercepted by the police in such cases, you are asked to pay immediately and might likely get a discount (25% discount if you pay it within two weeks) OR. In those cases cameras understandably cannot record the license plate number of a speeding car. Use the outside lane if you are exiting the roundabout on the first exit only. Wait to receive your ticket in the post and pay the fine with no discount. Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility for errors to occur, so if you get fined, remember to check all the details before paying. For parking tickets left on the windshield, you can simply walk into any bank, wait your turn, and pay your ticket. Do you take any authorization on my credit card? He never paid it and they tracked him down a year later. Proudly made in Reykjavk City. If still unpaid after 28 days, it goes up to 20.000ISK (154USD). To make your life easier, we have put together a summary of everything you need to know when it comes to Icelandic traffic laws. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close. Some rental car companies charge a handling fee for this. Police in Iceland manages to collect only 45% of speeding tickets given to foreign travelers. If you get pulled over by the police (like me), you have three options. ???? They can range anywhere from $200 to $700. Animals should be taken into consideration. There are two main ways you get a speeding ticket; you either get pulled over on the road and given a ticket, or you get a ticket delivered to you by mail. If a speed camera snaps a shot of you, the Icelandic police trace the car back to the proper rental car company. If it was, say, <$150, people would be more likely to pay out of conscience or concern for a return trip to the country. However, as in every country, you need to keep to the regulated speed limit and Iceland is no different. How to Avoid Speeding Tickets in Iceland and speed cameras passport control - to ensure - that the ticket has been paid has not really worked as yet. I was so nervous lol. So always keep your eyes open for a speed change. Impressive. However, most of the speeding cameras are located in the south part of Iceland which has fewer police patrols. If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. Fines for speeding are quite different from other offenses. Isafjordur, a fishing town in northwest Iceland, has experimented with a new method of traffic safety and speed control. This is because the country wants to increase safety and not have any accidents. While some tourists view it as very high, there are others who believe the fines are the same as every other country in Europe. Iceland is not a friendly place for a learner driver, especially if you are a visitor to the country. You'll fine the answers here! and according to driving laws and posted signs along your route. This new breed of crosswalk appears to be floating up and off the road, which. By law, the rental company must provide the police with your information. The car hire agency is required by law to send this information back to the police. A parking offence is when you park a car where its simply not allowed to park at any time like on a curb or streets where parking is never allowed. Each and every rental service demands you sign a contract where you agree to adhere to the traffic law. Just about everything now is considered "reckless driving". If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. (often drink driving as well) This has led to headline-grabbing . If an accident occurs farmers in Iceland do appreciate if the local law enforcement are informed so they will be able to attend the wounded animal. Fines for everything will be raised a lot. Vehicles pulling a trailer that is over 750kg (1,650 lb) and without brakes are not allowed to drive any faster than 90km/h (56 mph). On may 1st 2018 the regulation of traffic enforcement, including traffic fines, will be updated. The Icelandic road system is unique and drivers must be aware of both on-road and off-road conditions. Also, if you receive your ticket by mail, you might notice a new charge by your rental car company around 5000 ISK ($39 USD). As of February, foreign tourists owed over ISK 27 million ($255 000/216 000) in fines. Considering it was 11pm, it may have been one of the most frightening experiences of my life, especially when it started to rain near the top. These fines make Iceland's at about $800 actually look cheap. So do not assume that the countryside is not well covered with speed cameras. Ripped off? I also thought it was kind of them to warn me about the speed camera because I actually had no idea Iceland had any! I was going g 117kmh. If the parking fee is still unpaid after 28 days, it goes up to 5000ISK (39USD). I just returned from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Thanks for the blog.. Too bad I saw it 2 days too late i was caught in almost a similar fashion travelling at 128km per hour in a 90 km zone..by a police car coming in the opposite direction armed with a mobile speed detector..which I sid not see at all. Knowing the driving rules in Iceland will help to keep you safe from harm and from expensive fines! This is sooo important to have an understanding of! The police officer came up to my window and asked me to get out of the car. The average height for these speed bumps is about 12 inches, but some are as high as 36 inches. Don't forget, Iceland is an island and if you ever want to leave, pay your fine and the next time obey the law. I hope everyone is keeping safe with the current happenings in our world. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8225084', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland! The cost of a speeding ticket varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. Below you will find a rough guide to speed limits in Iceland. On the lookout Police in Iceland have trouble tracking down and fining foreign speeders. I did not pay, and will never go back. According to online statistics, road accidents by foreigners with rental cars is about 157 fatalities from 2007-2017. How to Avoid Speeding Tickets in Iceland - Iceland Car Rental Speed cameras in Iceland look like gray rectangles, with lenses on them. Re: Iceland Speeding Ticket fines 4 years ago Save Relative to the subject: On may 1st 2018 the regulation of traffic enforcement, including traffic fines, will be updated. Thx to the rental company for not giving us a heads up on a rediculous fee system. You will be heavily fined for spending a night at private parking lots or other areas outside of the campsites. Of course Iceland does not have autobahn or ultra modern freeways. Parking works differently in Akureyri. These are not the only offenses under this violation for more information on offenses under parking violation charges you can refer to Article 108, Traffic laws no. Frankly, single car road accidents are very common in Iceland, and are really frowned upon, as they are almost always the driver's fault. We are quite sure you likely have a few questions that need answered. Funny, I asked well why dont you just give me a ticket now and tell me how to pay online? Here is a short list of of speeding fines in Iceland and how they increase with the offence: 1. Let the holiday travels commence! Would have never expected a full blown article on speeding ticket but this sure is helpful. The floating crosswalk was thought up by town environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla. Iceland has some of the lowest speed limits in the world. Our major roads are getting filled with little signs the authorities are putting up at the spot of fatalities, I recently counted 19 of these signs, all within ten minutes of my home. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. I have this thing though where Im scared to do anything at all wrong in another country of this irrational fear theyll just kick me out haha which obviously wont happen If I did get a ticket Id for sure pay right away. I noticed that in certain parts of the country there are 'camera' signs indicating that speed cameras are in effect. From speeding 20 miles over the limit, to passing a stopped school bus, to failure to yield right of way, to having faulty brakes etc. Also, there are no roundabouts in the whole of Iceland with more than two lanes. more. Speeding Fines - Trippy The Finns run a "day fine" system that is calculated on the basis of an offender's daily disposable income - generally their daily salary divided by two. The fines for speeding are absolutely ludicrous. There are two main ways you get a speeding ticket; you either get pulled over on the road and given a ticket, or you get a ticket delivered to you by mail. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punished with hefty fines, starting at 70.000 ISK; Speed limits and fines. Paid a 500$ish tickets by a police cruiser that picked me up on radar. Alternatively, you may use. It is indeed a good idea to first understand the traffic law of any country you are visiting if you intend to drive around. Based on my research, it seems that if you dont ever plan on driving in Iceland again, you dont have to pay. And thats after a 25% discount for paying the cop in his (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Oh no! Step by Step Guide to Renting A Car In Iceland, For a Guide to Campervan Travel in Iceland click here. Police have trouble read Cyrillic and non-Latin alphabets All of these rules are in place for the safety of citizens and tourists. By Use our "Jump to Chapter" if you want to get to some of the info quickly. There is a VERY strong financial disincentive to pay this ticket. A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits. Emergency services with flashing lights always have right of way. a fine for speaking on mobile while driving is raised from 25.000 to 40.000 ISK (from about 250 USD to 400 USD). WTF is this bs, two more speeding fines from the one that i received. All Rights Reserved. I know it's harsh but that's the way it works in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As a driver, before you jumped behind any vehicle to drive, its your responsibility to know the traffic laws of the country you are driving in. Driving in Iceland can indeed be an exhilarating experience. 2. It actually ruined my entire day but its all okay now (8 months later haha). If you have an experience receiving a speeding ticket in Iceland or any foreign country, let me know how you handledthe situation in the comments below. Option 1: Pay the fine. Painful lesson learned as I was not aware the speeding fine was so eye wateringly steep in Iceland. Overall, not a terrible experience. As they were reviewing my license and the rental cars registration, they gave me the option to pay on the spot or receive the ticket later in the mail. The first thing drivers should know is that Iceland speed limits are much lower than they are in other countries. S o no stopping in the middle of the road for pictures! Don't worry, it might sound more stressful than it really is. If you are unsure then you should always stick to a slower speed. There are a few roundabouts found around the country, many of them are when entering Reykjavik or other larger towns, like Akureyri. heavy blizzard) then it's your responsibility to adjust your speed accordingly. Wow this is really informative ! I would definitely pay the fine! Please check the following requirements: Between November 1st - April 14th: Studded tires are allowed but not compulsory. in an hour. Then the same procedure takes over as with parking offences in Reykjavik. There are new traffic signs to learn, different driving styles, avarietyof different road types and situations, speed limits and different laws. They can range anywhere from $200 to $700. The good thing is that, on almost all the roads in Iceland, there are ample signs with the speed limits. I'm not sure what it is like in the states but in Europe in general it is very common to have speedtraps all over the place. Discounted to ISK 86000 if I pay on the spot which of course I did. There are a couple of reasons for this low number. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-95594839', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland a rip off for speeding fines! So if you planto return to Iceland one day and hope to drive, you definitely should pay the fine. In both instances, your options are limited - see below. However, it's crucial that you understand some of the basic Icelandic driving rules in Iceland in order to keep you safe and cause as little disruption to the traffic as possible. Gurn also tells RV that the Police has noticed an increasing number of cars driving without license plates on the front. Other speeding limits that are important to note: If you rent a car in Iceland then you won't have to worry about tires, as your rental company should have you covered with what you need. A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. If you are pulled over, you could be issued with a ticket immediately but if you are caught on a speed camera then the fine will come in the mail - this could take a number of weeks. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. You do not indicate when you enter the roundabout, instead, you need to indicate when you are leaving it. I wish the fines were at least double what they are. You can read about that here An Epic 7-Day Iceland Road Trip In March. The speed limit on unpaved roadsis 80 km/hror 49 mph. Some are known to just tear up the citation as soon as the officer is out of sight. Driving In The Westfjords Of Iceland - Full Guide, Driving 26km/h faster over allowed top speed (30-35 km zones), Driving 36km/h faster over allowed top speed (50-60 km zones), Driving 41km/h faster over allowed top speed (70 km zones), Driving 41km/h faster over allowed top speed (80-90 km zones), If the citation is paid in full immediately, if fine is unpaid within 14 days - after date of citation, Fine unpaid after 28 days - after date of citation, A bus is driving faster over the legal limits, A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits. The state of Virginia, faced with a similar situation has taken drastic measures, as of July 1, 2007, in an attempt to control the problem. Icelandic police have card readers in their vans, so you can pay with either your Debit or Credit card. Just to clarify I was not speeding. It goes up to 30.000ISK (230USD) after 14 days and after 28 days to 40.000ISK (307USD), Blastasjur who takes care of the parking system in Reykjavik sends an E-mail to the main office of Go Iceland Car Rental with all the detail of the offence.The staff finds out who was renting the car and sends information to the driver of the car. Speed bumps are used to slow down cars. Please send us a line at icelandmag@365.is. Simple. Therefore, its impossible to track down every individual who decides not to pay the fines. If its unpaid after 14 days, the fee goes up to 3750ISK (29USD). ???? The fine in Iceland is a minimum of ISK 100,000 and penalties can even include time in prison. That fine is 10.000ISK (77USD) but goes down to 8900ISK (68USD) if paid imediately. Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your car, it does not mean you are in the clear. Be especially aware at night, as to the sheep, your car is just a wandering flicker of light and the road is just part of their terrain. Uk credits cards not working in Iceland ? I'm so glad they are finally raising the fines. Here are some other reasons why you need to pay your speed fine: The cost of speeding damage on roads, traffic delays caused by accidents, medical costs or the SAR helicopters for rescue missions, etc. If you want to, you can choose not to pay the fine! Answer 1 of 38: Hello, I am just curious as to what the speeding penalties are for a British tourist in Iceland? Some of the basic rules for Iceland include: Traffic coming from the right always has the right of way, unless a sign, traffic warden, or lights state otherwise. Samuel Hogarth Many get high fines, long after they have left the country, collected with the aid of the authorities in their country. For many years Hvalfjrur Tunnel was subject to a fee, however, as of 2018, this tunnel is now toll-free. Keflavik office Should I dispute it when the credit card bill comes. That fee is 2500ISK (20USD). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88001538', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland and most of Europe. If you are unable to avoid getting a fine, then it may be possible for you to dispute it. On the lookout Police in Iceland have trouble tracking down and fining foreign speeders. Tunnels in Iceland are safe and the speed limit is sometimes lowered before driving through it. Koreas new innovation strategy: Digital Platform Government, Here's why the world must collaborate on tech governance, Why fighting corruption is key to addressing the world's most pressing problems, This is why its crucial to track and preserve Ukraines cultural heritage, is affecting economies, industries and global issues, with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale. Fines for everything will be raised a lot. Apparently, its most difficult to collect fines from Russians or Chinesemotorists. Many people went to Trip Advisor and forums like Reddit for advice on whether or not they needed to pay their fines, which range anywhere between $100 USD and $1700 USD. You *can* get caught 3 times (or more!) Subsequent cars should cross the bridge in a similar order as they arrived. 70km/h zone. Your main question might be "do I need to pay the fine?". 50-60km/h zones. Say I was doing 95? Speeding cameras have been installed along the highways all over the country. We will be in touch. Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Thank you in advance They believe that if you dont pay the fine, then dont return. A bus is driving faster over the legal limits 2. All of these rules are in place for the safety of citizens and tourists. We are quite sure you likely have a few. Fines for off-road driving are significant, a group of four French tourists was given an ISK 400,000 fine for off-road driving. If you get pulled over by the police, you have two options: Pay the fine upfront and receive a 25% discount off the fine. Usually there is a discount if you pay quickly, but it should say that on the ticket. Observing all traffic laws will save you lots of embarrassment from the Iceland authorities and also save you your hard earned dollars if you dont over-speed or parked at the wrong place. Funny, I just got pulled over today a bit after Vik. The biggest challenge with tunnels is quickly adapting to the darkness when entering the tunnel and with the brightness when leaving. Some have the speed stickers posted on the dashboard while some have a big sign in their main office with the speed limit boldly written on it. Off-roading in Iceland is strictly forbidden. News from Iceland, What to do and see, local travel tips and expertise. The first one is the ordinary parking fine when a driver has not paid for the full time or not paid at all to park on an ordinary parking space. Is it an automatic ticket? Figured it would be helpful for the other poor souls who get one. I understand that you get a speeding fine but do you get points on your licence? Around the country, you will find many one-lane bridges. With insufficient numbers of officers, Police relies on peoplesconscience The best way to avoid getting a speeding ticket in Iceland is always to drive safely and according to driving laws and posted signs along your route. You MUST bring the following to the class: Driver's license. This is the ultimate goal for me to get to Iceland. And also as a social contribution to a country which has offered so much of its natural beauty which I enjoyed practically for free ( no entrance fees..). Option 1: Pay the fine then and there, and receive a 25% discount off your ticket. Gurn Hauksdttir, a police officer in Western Iceland, said that one reason is that travelers frequently write their addresses in hand in their own alphabet. If the road you sped on was absent of signs notifying you of speed limits. Their advice should be taken seriously when driving there, as you can read below. In March 2018, I went on a 7-day road trip around Icelands Ring Road where I drove a total of 967.7 miles. Traffic Ticket Fines & Penalties in Arizona | DMV.ORG What to Know About the Speed Limit in Iceland What would a Marshall Plan for Ukraine look like? USD 12.30) whereas larger transport vehicles and trucks are subject to an ISK 6,000 toll fee. The speed limit on the Highway 1 ring road is usually 90 km/h (56 mph). We got a ticket for wrong parking (duh) in Spain. We drove the ring road in 5 days, perhaps a bit too ambitiously. If you were speeding consistently that is possible since the times line up. Speeding in Iceland is controlled through two main measures; speed cameras and speed bumps. They said I had to pay. The speed cameras in Iceland are pole mounted at the side of the road. book flight now or wait until Efling Strike is over? The same applies to parking tickets sent by the police to the car owner. Iceland has strict driving laws and huge fines. I am planning on going to Iceland next year, so this is a very important thing to note! If you get pulled over by the police, you have two options: Pay the fine upfront and receive a 25% discount off the fine. Your car is captured by a speeding camera - In this case, the Icelandic police will trace the speeding car to the car rental company and subsequently send a mail requesting information on the offending car. Perfect to reiterate to my boyfriend with a heavy foot lol http://www.sjova.is/files/2007_8_1_messageFromThePolice.jpg. Driving in Iceland gives you immense freedom and can be great fun. Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. However, police officers most likely have visibility to outstanding fines previously incurred in their country, and definitely will in their specific state/region. Take your time and enjoy the ride! There are many speed bumps in Iceland. The crosswalk isnt really floating, of course, its just a painted optical illusion. Iceland roads can be very dangerous all year long due to weather and the many twists and turns. 3. If unpaid after 14 days, the fine goes up to 15.000ISK (115USD). Also, both officers were confused and initially said they dont know what other option I have. They can also go to the website of Blastasjur and see pictures of the car. If you ever got a parking ticket stuck under your windshield wiper, you know how annoying and frustrating that could be, especially when you thought you have your car parked at the right place. According topolice in Iceland, they manage to collect only 45% of those speeding tickets. Slow down, and the bigger, the safer is the car! Its definitely nerve-racking getting in trouble with the law, even if its something like a speeding ticket or up-to-date inspections haha. In most areas outside of city limits, the speed limit is anywhere from 60 to 80 km/h for unpaved roads. Although somecar hiring services could be blamed for not doing enough to spreading the word - That said, many car rental companies in Reykjavik go out of their way to make speed limits and road limitations known to their clients. As a general guide the fine is usually between $195- $460 USD, however, if you are driving very fast, such as 41+km/h above the legal top speed (in 80-90km zones), then you may get fined $615-$690. We simply dont have the necessary number of people Gurn tells RV. OK, so now I'm freaked. Driving in Iceland | Visit Reykjavik ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8227180', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental cars), have had 738 road accidents, and 150 serious injurys this year, from Jan 1. The different speed limits in towns and out on the countryside are always well marked and needs to be followed. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. F.e. I believe that most would agree with me that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? But do you have to? The approach to pursuing fines incurred by foreigners varies by country. Iceland Speeding Ticket fines - Iceland Forum - Tripadvisor The police, however, have in many cases had found it difficult to track down the correct addresses of the travelers in question. Parking in Reykjavik is the same as parking in any other European capital. As of 2019, drivers passing through Valaheiargng tunnel in North Iceland will need to pay a toll of between ISK 700 to 6,000 depending on the vehicle. The World Bank: How the development bank confronts today's crises. Apparently, all of Iceland has a max speed of 90kph - I had no idea. From Iceland Two Speeding Tickets In Twenty Minutes Fines are automatically processed and delivered to the owner of the offending vehicle. BTW I have always found local drivers in Iceland both private and professional to be extremely courteous. Scandinavian Travel Services ehf. Each time you break the law you risk getting caught breaking the law and having to pay the price. Enroll immediately online or by calling toll free 1-888-334-5565: Defensive Driving Schools Information for Arizona (Online Registration) Complete the class at least seven business days prior to the court date written above your signature on the complaint. Some tourists get especially confused about roundabouts in Iceland. Keeping to the right speed limit is very important as spontaneous dangers can present themselves on Iceland roads. Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your rental car, it does not mean you are in the clear. The Iceland speed limit varies depending on the road type; in built-up areas, the speed limit is 50km/h. Gurn Hauksdttir a police officer with the Police in Stykkishlmur in Western Iceland, where data from roadside cameras is processed, told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RV that one reason is that travelers frequently write their addresses in hand in their own alphabet, which can be difficult to decipher for police officers.