Apply for International driving permit Iceland

For you to drive as a tourist on your Iceland road trip, having an International Driving Permit is not required. But, because most car rental companies will require you for an International Driving License for Iceland, it's highly suggested that you apply for one.

Suppose you plan to go to Iceland within the next two years. In that case, you may apply for an International Driving Permit for Iceland online today. The International Driver's Association offers a three-year validity on your IDP, and we also provide a digital copy in cases of lost permits. You can also use your IDP in car rental agencies worldwide as this document is recognized in over 150 countries.

Before looking for car rental agencies, you should be aware of the different requirements that you may need. These aren't only for car rental purposes but also for a smooth driving experience in Iceland. It is to ensure that their rules and regulations will be understood and followed rigorously.

We have listed some of the primary conditions that every car rental agency needs:

1. Your valid national driver's license that's been held for at least a year.
2. An International driver's license for Iceland.
3. Your passport.
4. A valid credit card for the payment.
5. Evidence of any driving endorsements for people that possess a UK license (Except for Northern Ireland).
   
   

You may also register for an International Driving License for Iceland in their government offices, although we can not guarantee that the process would be quick. It might take you longer than usual and make your vacation shorter.

Iceland, the island of fire and ice, became one of the world's top travel destinations because of its thrill-seeking adventures and beautiful natural landscapes. Here, you'll find active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, glaciers, and many more. If you want to drive to some of Iceland's beautiful tourist spots, make sure that you have an International Driving Permit for Iceland.

To know more about the country, we have listed some of the destinations that would best describe the country's beautiful sceneries.

Jökulsárlón (yu-kuls-aur-lon) was formed around 1935 because of its rising temperatures at the start of the twentieth century. Today, the expansion of Jökulsárlón is accelerating, and it is expected that the lagoon will continue to grow until it becomes a vast deep fjord.

Iceland's most famous glacier lagoon is approximately 60 kilometers east of Skaftafell, where giant icebergs float in peace. The beautiful blue glacier lagoon is where seals swim around the countless mountains of ice that regularly break off the Breiðamerkurjökull (brei-the-mersh-ker-yu-kull) glacier ice cap.

• Drive to Suðurgata to Hringbraut/Route 49.
• Then take a turn to Þjóðvegur to Austurland.
• Your destination should be at the end of the road.

The Skaftafell is a national reserve in southeast Iceland that embodies unusual landscapes beyond compare to anywhere in the world. It covers over 4800 square kilometers that are composed of rivers that cut through a great black desert. It is an oasis of the nation's various landscapes and features. It was once a national park in its own right.

• Take Suðurgata to Hringbraut/Route 49.
• Then turn to Þjóðvegur 1, Route 1 and Þjóðvegur to Skaftafellsvegur in Austurland
• Continue on Skaftafellsvegur.
• Then take a left to Hæðavegur.

The Golden Circle offers spectacular sights and a glimpse into Iceland's history and culture. It is the most popular tourist place in Iceland, where the Haukadalur, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir are the main attractions.

• Drive to Suðurgata to Hringbraut/Route 49.
• Follow Route 49 and Vesturlandsvegur/Þjóðvegur 1 to Þingvallavegur in Suðurland
• From there, you will see the destination on the left side of the road.

• Head northeast on Þingvallavegur.
• Continue straight into Gjabakkavegur/Gjábakkavegur/Route 365.
• At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Laugarvatnsvegur/Route 37 and continue onto Route 35.
• Slight left onto Haukadalsvegur.
• At the left turn, you would be able to see the public parking space for Haukadalur.

• Head south on Haukadalsvegur toward Route 35.
• Sharp left onto Route 35.
• Turn right onto Gullfoss Parking.
• From there, you would see the remarkable site of Gullfoss.

Tourists driving in Iceland may go to each destination in the Golden Circle. If you like taking each scenery at your own pace, a self-guided is the perfect way to go; you can start early in the morning and finish later for quieter sightseeing.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula is in West Iceland and is often referred to as "Iceland in miniature," because of the different varieties of geological phenomena it contains. If you had the chance to have a day tour of the Peninsula, you'd get to see and experience many of Iceland's most sought-out natural wonders.

• Drive to Suðurgata to Hringbraut/Route 49.
• Take Þjóðvegur 1 to get to Þjóðvegur
• Continue on Snæfellsnesvegur to get to 571 Ölkelduvegur in Vesturland
• Turn left and continue to Lindarbrekka.
• At the end of the road, you will see parking spaces for your vehicle.

Westman Island or Vestmannaeyjar in Icelandic is a group of 15 islands and over 30 massive cliffs, rocks, and skerries that are 70 kilometers off Iceland's southern coast.

• To get to the island, you must first understand that even though you have the opportunity to drive, you must leave your car at the ferry dock and book a ticket to ride the ferryboat.
• Take the Suðurgata road to Hringbraut/Route 49.
• Then drive to Þjóðvegur 1, Route 1 and Þjóðvegur.
• Continue to go to Landeyjahafnarvegur in Suðurland.
• Turn right onto Landeyjahafnarvegur.
• Once you get to the Landeyjarhöfn, take a Vestmannaeyjar ferry to get to the island.

It is of utmost importance to know some of the important rules in Iceland, like their speed limits. Are car rental companies strict? Do take the time to read some of Iceland's essential driving rules because Icelanders take their regulations seriously. Take note that knowing some of these rules are crucial, and if not followed, you could get fined or, worse, get yourself in a bad accident.

Before opting for a rental car, note that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Iceland. Iceland has a very slippery road, and one slip up could cost you your life. If you are caught under the influence, the minimum punishment for first offenders is a fine of at least 100,000 ISK (Icelandic Krona) and loss of driving privileges for four months.

Weather conditions should always be monitored because it can quickly change. Most people (tourists and locals) tend to ignore the country's wind and weather warnings, making it dangerous for their safety. Suppose you want to check for any information about the weather; in that case, the Icelandic meteorological society (government in Iceland) is responsible for all the advisory if it is safe to drive or not.

Because of the ice and snow on the roads, the general speed limit in populated areas is 30-50 km/hour, on gravel roads in rural areas is 80 km/hour and on paved roads is 90 km/hr. If you ever see a blue rectangular shape sign with white letters, it is to advise you that the road has lower speed limits. The signs for speed limits are essentially used in troubled spots on rural highways, like a sharp corner or a single-lane bridge.

We know that Iceland is a beautiful place, and you may want to have a quick picture of the scenery, but don't ever stop in the middle of the road. Many people have died from doing this because they either want to see the beautiful landscape or need to grab something at the back of the seat. There are many pull-out or small side roads in Iceland; you simply need to drive to one.

Because Iceland has some crazy weather, wearing a seatbelt is one of their rules when driving in Iceland. Also, if you have a child under 12 years old, they must ride in the backseat. If you drive without a seatbelt, you will get stopped and fined by the police. Although there are no penalties for this rule, they strictly advise you to follow it to avoid any major road accidents.

Another safety law is to always keep your headlights on, day and night. If someone flashes their headlights at you, that is because yours are turned off. Turning on headlights will indicate your approach when there is a sharp corner ahead and prevent a potential collision.

Driving while holding your phone is strictly illegal; you will need to use a hands-free device. Especially when you're driving during winter, you must be using a hands-free device because you may easily get in an accident.

In Iceland, you might see some weird signs on the road while driving. These signs were made specifically for the country because most travelers and some locals tend to get absurd accidents like falling off a riverbank. Also, most streets are heavily populated with animals, and they tend to wander the roads. To know about these road signs in Iceland before driving is better than going around the country blindly, and for you to know them, we have listed some of the unusual signs that you might encounter.

• Heavy Crosswinds in the Area warning sign is a triangle-shaped sign with a black and white striped flag and should be taken seriously by anyone who plans to drive in the country. A road with this road sign should highly consider taking other routes (if there's any) because of the dangerous winds ahead.
• Warning signs for animals are very common on residential streets and roads in the middle of the forest. The sign has a drawing of either a sheep, reindeer, or cow. When you see road signs like these while driving in Iceland, it is best to slow down and be alert about your surroundings.
• No entry allowed is a weird warning sign because it's a blank circle with a red lining. There's no drawing or letters indicated in the sign, and if you see this while driving, it is mostly because the street is part of private property.

Before driving you should know the minimum and maximum age limit of driving license holders in the country first. If you are driving in Iceland, the minimum license age requirement must be at least 17 years old for locals but, if you're a tourist and needs to rent a car, you must be at least 20 years old (age may vary by car category), and drivers under the age of 25 may have to pay for a young driver fee. Generally, there is no maximum age limit when driving in Iceland.

If you're wondering which side of the road Iceland drives on (left or the right). Well, if you're from a country that operates on the left, you wouldn't have a hard time in Iceland because they also drive on the left side of the car.