Residential areaIceland
Traffic rules
Iceland
1. Residential area
A residential area is a street or group of streets where housing and access to local properties are the main functions. Drivers should expect pedestrians, cyclists, children, parked vehicles and vehicles entering or leaving driveways.
Some countries identify particular residential areas with traffic signs and apply special low-speed and residential-area rules. The speed limit, pedestrian rights, parking rules and permitted road users therefore depend on local signs and regulations.
How do people refer to a residential area in Iceland?
The Icelandic term for the specially signposted residential-area category is vistgata. It is distinct from an ordinary street in a built-up area.
🔗 althingi.is • Iceland: Road Traffic Act section 9; Regulation 250/2024 signs 540-542
🔗 reglugerd.is • Iceland: Traffic Signs Regulation 250/2024
Start of a residential area.
English • Traffic sign 540 • Residential area. Marks entry to an area governed by the Traffic Act's residential-area provisions.
Íslenska • Umferðarmerki 540 • Vistgata. Merki þetta gefur til kynna að komið sé inn á svæði þar sem ákvæði umferðarlaga um vistgötur gilda.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Reglugerd.is • Reglugerð nr. 250/2024 • 19. gr.
SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Umferðastrofa • Public domain • Original revision 2012-12-31. Wikimedia original unmodified.
End of the residential area.
English • Traffic sign 542 • End of residential area. Marks exit from the area governed by the Traffic Act's residential-area provisions.
Íslenska • Umferðarmerki 542 • Vistgata endar. Merki þetta gefur til kynna að farið sé út af svæði þar sem ákvæði umferðarlaga um vistgötur gilda.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Reglugerd.is • Reglugerð nr. 250/2024 • 19. gr.
SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Umferðastrofa • Public domain • Original revision 2013-03-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.
What speed limit applies in a residential area in Iceland?
Vehicles in this category must be driven slowly and must not exceed 15 km/h. Do not confuse this with the different rules for a pedestrian street.
🔗 althingi.is • Iceland: Road Traffic Act section 9; Regulation 250/2024 signs 540-542
What rights do pedestrians have in a signposted residential area in Iceland?
People may spend time and play in the area. Drivers must show particular consideration and give way to pedestrians.
🔗 althingi.is • Iceland: Road Traffic Act section 9; Regulation 250/2024 signs 540-542
Where may I park in a residential area in Iceland?
Vehicles subject to registration may park in this signed category only in marked parking spaces. Follow the entrance and parking signs.
🔗 althingi.is • Iceland: Road Traffic Act section 9; Regulation 250/2024 signs 540-542
