Give wayIceland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Iceland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


5. Give way

A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed before entering, crossing or joining a road. Drivers must reduce speed, observe approaching traffic and stop when necessary.

Unlike a stop sign, a give-way sign does not always require a complete stop. The driver may continue without stopping only when the route is clearly safe and no road user with priority is forced to change speed or direction.

Give way
A give way sign at a crossroad with traffic lights. (Akureyri, Iceland)
Wikimedia.org • CC0
What does giving way mean in Iceland?

Reduce speed in good time or stop to make clear that you will give way. Proceed only without danger or inconvenience to priority traffic, taking account of its position, distance and speed. At a signed give-way or stop junction, the duty includes vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists on the road you enter or cross.

🔗 reglugerd.is • Regulation 250/2024 articles 10-11, sign 202; Act 77/2019 section 26

Must you always stop when giving way in Iceland?

No. A give-way control requires stopping when necessary to yield or obtain a safe view. A stop sign requires a complete stop even if the road appears empty.

🔗 reglugerd.is • Regulation 250/2024 articles 10-11, sign 202; Act 77/2019 section 26

Give way. Give way.

English • Traffic sign 202 • Give way. Drivers must give priority to traffic on the road they are entering or crossing. With plate 802.1 ‘Distance’, warns of give way ahead. With plate 824 ‘Stop ahead’, warns of a compulsory stop ahead.

Íslenska • Umferðarmerki 202 • Biðskylda. Merki þetta gefur til kynna að ökumanni beri að veita umferð á vegi sem ekið er inn á eða yfir forgang. Þar sem merkið stendur með undirmerki 802.1 Fjarlægð er varað við biðskyldu fram undan. Þar sem merkið stendur með undirmerki 824 Stöðvunarskylda fram undan er varað við stöðvunarskyldu fram undan.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Reglugerd.is • Reglugerð nr. 250/2024 • 11. gr.

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Umferðastrofa • Public domain • Original revision 2012-12-31. Wikimedia original unmodified.

What should you check before proceeding after giving way in Iceland?

Wait until the manoeuvre is safe. Check the priority traffic, the view in both directions and enough space to complete the entry. Giving way to one vehicle does not remove duties towards another driver, a cyclist or a pedestrian.

🔗 reglugerd.is • Regulation 250/2024 articles 10-11, sign 202; Act 77/2019 section 26

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