Also, there are no roundabouts in the whole of Iceland with more than two lanes. Figured it would be helpful for the other poor souls who get one. Fines for speeding are high, ranging from 30.000 ISK to 150.000 ISK. Yikes! While some tourists view it as very high, there are others who believe the fines are the same as every other country in Europe. Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your rental car, it does not mean you are in the clear. in an hour for speeding, if you were speeding 3 times (or more!) The speed limit on unpaved roadsis 80 km/hror 49 mph. If you are unsure then you should always stick to a slower speed. Thats the only one I know with several speeding cameras that close to each other. Seriously, insane! Most of these accidents are because of speeding. In both instances, your options are limited - see below. If still unpaid after 28 days, it goes up to 20.000ISK (154USD). Speed limits are very much present and driving under the influence is a strict no-go. Flugvellir 20 230 Keflavik. 2006-2023 All copyright reserved on photos and content, This website uses cookies to help you browse on the website/ web. Are you sure that these are not two radar camera tickets from the same route before the cruiser stopped you? If you wait until after this deadline, youll have to pay the full amount. Why is it important to obey Iceland speed limits? But do you have to? Speeding cameras are dotted around the country and speeding fines can range between ISK 5,000?70,000 (USD 45 to USD 575). If they cant providethat proof, you shouldnt have to pay. The following signs also indicate the right of way: To make your life easier, we've put together a summary of everything you need to know when it comes to Icelandic traffic laws. 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. And I WILL! The cost of a speeding ticket varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. I would be so freaked out being pulled over in a country where I didnt speak the language!! Oh no! The digital screen will display your speed, and if youre under the limit youll be rewarded with a smiley face. In Iceland, there are two types of parking violation charges: The #1 parking violation charge is a fine meant for vehicles that failed to park at the right designated parking areas or for drivers who stays longer than necessary at the parking area. Use the inside line if you plan to exit on the second, third, or fourth exist. . Do I have to have international driving license? A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. If you decided not to pay, the Icelandic police will probably not do much as contacting an international booking agency to force you to pay (when you must have returned to your home country) because of the high cost that might likely be involved in persecuting such an offense. You may have noticed as you drive around Iceland, especially outside of Reykjavik, there are not a lot of police. It has proven particularly difficult to collect fines from Russian and Chinese motorists. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It can be difficult to determine at times as to where you are allowed or not allowed to part but there always are traffic signs informing the driver of the rules and obligations surrounding parking. Slow down, and the bigger, the safer is the car! Just like there are speed cameras, there are also mobile cameras in cars. They can also go to the website of Blastasjur and see pictures of the car. People driving without license plates Understanding the speed limit is about as basic as knowing if to drive on the right side of the lane or the left. Speeding Fines Simplified for Tourists. Just about everything now is considered "reckless driving". 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. Also, both officers were confused and initially said they dont know what other option I have. 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. If you're wearing sunglasses then remove these before entering the tunnel. News from Iceland, What to do and see, local travel tips and expertise. Speeding fines in Iceland are very expensive. When you get your speeding ticket in the post, make sure to pay it quickly because youll pay 25% less than waiting. In March 2018, I went on a 7-day road trip around Icelands Ring Road where I drove a total of 967.7 miles. Below are common legal defences for speeding fines: How long will a speeding fine take to arrive? I am not sure if this post goes in the sad or absurd file. It always sucks getting tickets, especially when its international. 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. Just to clarify I was not speeding. Honestly, I was ready to pay if it was less than $200 but that much money in an almost empty highway was just too much. Emergency services with flashing lights always have right of way. There have been few incidents in the past where people have hired rental cars, travelled, returned home, and then weeks later received a letter to their home address with a request to pay fines in Iceland. A study done by the University of Iceland found that there is an average of, The floating crosswalk was thought up by town environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla. If the parking fee is still unpaid after 28 days, it goes up to 5000ISK (39USD). 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. It being a foreign country we had no idea what to do. The speed limit in Iceland can basically be divided into three general speed limits: Speed limit for paved/tarred roads away from towns & cities: 90km/h (55mph) Dirt or gravel road speed limit: 80 km/h (50mph) Speed limit in towns & cities: 50 km/h (30mph) Tunnels in Iceland are safe and the speed limit is sometimes lowered before driving through it. Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. The car rental companies provide us with peoples addresses and we send the fine to their home address. I am planning on going to Iceland next year, so this is a very important thing to note! 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. In most areas outside of city limits, the speed limit is anywhere from 60 to 80 km/h for unpaved roads. I guess we just can't win. If you were in a rental car, they will pass on your details to the authorities. heavy blizzard) then it's your responsibility to adjust your speed accordingly. Animals should be taken into consideration. I wish the fines were at least double what they are. Others seemed more understanding and admitted that Icelanders know where these fast-moving cameras are and slow down when they see them. But overall, most Icelanders agreed that it was only fair those who received these speeding tickets pay the fine. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. 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. a fine for speaking on mobile while driving is raised from 25.000 to 40.000 ISK (from about 250 USD to 400 USD). The more a driver is over the speed limit, the greater the number of day fines they will receive. But, on the same page from Trip Advisor about Icelandic fines, there is an ad explaining how to beat "speeding fines". Below you will find a rough guide to speed limits in Iceland. Police in Iceland manages to collect only 45% of speeding tickets given to foreign travelers. Iceland roads can be very dangerous all year long due to weather and the many twists and turns. It is important to note that the automatic speed surveillance cameras are not always correct; therefore, it would be wise to ask for proof before you pay your ticket. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Im sure they committed fraud as they charged him well above the speed table provided on the internet . Speed cameras are all over Iceland to catch drivers breaking the speed limit. 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). As a general guide, the limits are 50km/h in urban areas and 30km/h on residential roads. It's about being able to enjoy the view from your car, or being able to have a conversation with your passenger without shouting over the noise of the engine. Hopefully, it wasnt too difficult to figure out. The average height for these speed bumps is about 12 inches, but some are as high as 36 inches. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88003033', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Reykjavik and Borgarnes. I noticed that in certain parts of the country there are 'camera' signs indicating that speed cameras are in effect. Recently, a tourist from the Czech Republic who was fined for a speed violation complained that the fine was equivalent to his monthly salary also an Italian woman was noticed to be in tears when she was told how much she has to pay for violating the speed law. 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 the road you were caught speeding on was absent of signs notifying you of speed limits. The message here is DON'T SPEED! Have you had an experience related to the contents of this article? With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. In both instances, your options are limited - see below. On the sixth day, driving between Hvammstangi and Arnarstapi, I saw a van with flashing lights driving towards me. 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..). On the lookout Police in Iceland have trouble tracking down and fining foreign speeders. Icelandic police have card readers in their vans, so you can pay with either your Debit or Credit card. Sometimes, the speed limit can be even lowerwhen turning a sharp corner or driving along a steep mountain road. I thought that was very very high. Just wanted to share this and hopefully others will learn from this too. 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. Usually there is a discount if you pay quickly, but it should say that on the ticket. When police have the correct addresses it can still be difficult to actually collect the fines, as people simply fail to pay. The most common accidents happen when cars roll over and off the road. By going over the speed limit, of course. Thank you in advance There are a lot of rules on the road, most of them are obvious; such as, in Iceland you drive on the right, overtake on the left, seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers, headlights are also mandatory, dont drink and drive and dont go over the speed limit. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. 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. I did not pay, and will never go back. For example if you drive between 110-121 km you pay 80.000 isk and 60.000 isk with the 25% discount. Should people pay the speeding ticket fine no matter the cost? I was mostly concerned with the cameras. Sure it sucked, but I didnt speed the rest of my trip. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8639308', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland does a good job of maintaining its roads. Verified Expert. For a 70kph limit fines begin at 76kph - try it! It is indeed a good idea to first understand the traffic law of any country you are visiting if you intend to drive around. You shouldnt have to pay your fine if they do not have any substantial, visible proof. Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Sweden has a plan to end all traffic accident deaths, Technology could make traffic jams a thing of the past. There are a couple of reasons for this low number. Parking and camping outside of designated camping zones in Iceland are illegal. Although it is unlikely, errors can occur, so if you get fined, remember to check all the details before paying. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I live inCentral Florida and with 47 million visitors a year, speeding and reckless driving is a major problem. In fact, you might be tempted to toss a parking ticket into your glove compartment and forget about it but if you give in to such temptation, you might face some consequences for giving in to such thought. The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. Fines for everything will be raised a lot. Iceland is a country with many natural wonders, but the best way to explore Icelands natural beauty is by car. So always keep your eyes open for a speed change. Overall, not a terrible experience. There is a VERY strong financial disincentive to pay this ticket. Even in remote, rural parts of Iceland, you will find speed cameras. Traffic on roads that are shown the "Yellow Diamond" sign has the right of way. The Icelandic road system is unique and drivers must be aware of both on-road and off-road conditions. Driving 36km/h or faster over allowed top speed. The minimum depth of tires needs to be 3mm. There seems to be no evidence that unpaid speeding tickets are visible to immigration officials in any country. The general speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h or less in urban/residential areas; 80 km/h on gravel roads (we recommend slower speeds) Gurn also tells RV that the Police has noticed an increasing number of cars driving without license plates on the front. Im going to Iceland in November 2019, so will be extremely careful driving there. One individual who allegedly called theIcelandic police department spoke to a woman who saidnothing would happensince they are not a citizen of Iceland. You may get a ticket in the mail; often it will be perhaps the week after the alleged crime. They can be found all along the ring road and they often wander, carelessly, onto the road, right in front of oncoming traffic. Are these used in Iceland? Based on my research, it seems that if you dont ever plan on driving in Iceland again, you dont have to pay. He never paid it and they tracked him down a year later. Somebody would have to do the math of a higher compliance rate/lower fine structure vs. a higher fine rate/lower compliance, but I bet they'd get more payments at a lower cost. They also got my address from the driver license. The approach to pursuing fines incurred by foreigners varies by country. If you are planning to rent a car in Iceland and go on a self-drive tour, but are not too sure of the signs, here are some frequently asked questions on speeding fines in Iceland in case you got on the wrong side of the traffic law: If you are caught violating the speed limit Either: 1. I would love to travel to ???????? Thanks for sharing your experience!! in an hour. Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed . 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. Like nearly $500 for 11 km/h (6.7 mph) over on a road like that. Thats definitely the risk of not paying immediately. Speeding tickets issued by speeding cameras along the highway have proven especially hard to collect, as the cameras record the license plate number of offending motorists. I trekked up the volcano there in October. Iceland has some of the lowest speed limits in the world. 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. There are Iceland police everywhere keeping watch of car speed in the cities and not to forget the speed cameras on the roads. 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. We will be in touch. Its definitely nerve-racking getting in trouble with the law, even if its something like a speeding ticket or up-to-date inspections haha. Ripped off? Learn more about the fines and penalties . Gurn says. Isafjordur, a fishing town in northwest Iceland, has experimented with a new method of traffic safety and speed control. Pedestrians crossing a zebra crossing, that has no lights, always have the right of way. Take your time and enjoy the ride! This is because the country wants to increase safety and not have any accidents. 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. You can find several tunnels throughout Iceland. The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. A man from the Czech Republic whom Erlingsson caught on Sunday complained that the fine was equivalent to his monthly salary and an Italian woman started to cry when she was told how much she had to pay. So, if you do get tickets, then as most Icelandic guides will humorously tell you: "Smile and Pay Up" (well, you really dont have to complain much for your negligence) you violated the traffic law, you got caught so your speed fine is your punishment. This was back in august, Today (December 7th). Perfect to reiterate to my boyfriend with a heavy foot lol If you are unable to avoid getting a fine, then it may be possible for you to dispute it. Say I was doing 95? Boy was I royaly ripped off! Then there are the horrible "washboard" roads. If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. Do you want to know more about this subject? I got a ticket in Iceland for for 16 km/h above the speed limit (90). And thats after a 25% discount for paying the cop in his (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I received in the mail 4 speeding tickets from Holland totaling about $450 when I was there May 2019 (some tickets were for just going over 5 kms over!). However, as in every country, you need to keep to the regulated speed limit and Iceland is no different. If unpaid after 14 days, the fine goes up to 15.000ISK (115USD). As an aside, a guide at the Tourist information in Hofn suggested i take the OXI road to Egilstaddir to shave 60km off my trip. The first thing drivers should know is that Iceland speed limits, On open roads the speed limit varies too; on, These Iceland speed limits are the legal maximum, but depending on driving conditions, you may wish to. Here is a short list of of speeding fines in Iceland and how they increase with the offence: 1. It is rumored that some of these also work as speed cameras. Ask those many tourists who are, or have been in a hospital, after a traffic accident. Iceland has strict driving laws and huge fines. We got a ticket for wrong parking (duh) in Spain. 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. The largest selection of Car Rentals in Iceland. And Im SO glad they let you off with a warning! That fine is 10.000ISK (77USD) but goes down to 8900ISK (68USD) if paid imediately. However, driving in Iceland requires some more precautions compared to driving in other countries. In Finland, speeding fines are linked to salary. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8234223', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. 2023 by Reykjavk Cars Booking Office. All rights reserved. That way you will probably get a 2-week period where the fine lowers by 30% or so. No matter the speed limit, there are plenty of signs that keep you updated. Wait to receive your ticket in the post and pay the fine with no discount. a fine for speaking on mobile while driving is raised from 25.000 to 40.000 ISK (from about 250 USD to 400 USD). This sign means there is a one-way tunnel system ahead. Some are known to just tear up the citation as soon as the officer is out of sight. Is it an automatic ticket? To read or not to read. The same applies to parking tickets sent by the police to the car owner. I can so relate to it. The main reason for high fines in Iceland is that us locals can be driving fiends, and often pay little attention to road conditions. The driver has then a chance to pay the fine but if that is not done, Go Iceland Car Rental pays the fine and withdraws that sum from the drivers credit plus a 5000ISK handling fee as stipulated in the rental contract (see above). These are bridges where only one car will fit at a time. Went to iceland back in august, got pulled over at 2:59am for speeding. Go Icelands office will then withdraw a handling fee of 5000ISK (39USD) as stipulated in the car rental agreement. If you get your ticket in the mail from a speed camera, you have two options. One of the things that you need to be extremely careful with is Iceland's population of over 800,000 wandering sheep. 3. Wow this is really informative ! Whether its because of the weather, gravel flying up off the road, or animals in your path; choose the right speed for the condition and take your time. 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. This from todays Daily News from Iceland: In the last two days, police in the vicinity of Blndus in Northern Iceland have fined 15 drivers for speeding, 13 of whom were foreign tourists. On the same trip, I saw the northern lights. Always give way to indicating buses leaving a bus stop. This is not true, however, as there is a 10,000 ISK fine (75 USD/68 EUR) for driving with only one license plate. I got in touch with the dutch police via their facebook page and decided to pay it before late fees started to accrue. Funny, I just got pulled over today a bit after Vik. There are many speed bumps in Iceland. Plus, there are signs that alert you when theres an upcoming speed camera (see photo). Fines. However, some tourist says they pay more in speeding fines in countries like Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
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