Speed limitIceland
Traffic rules
Iceland
3. Speed limit
A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.
A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.
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Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Iceland?
The general maxima are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on gravel roads outside them and 90 km/h on paved roads outside them, unless otherwise signed. The Act permits higher signed limits, up to 110 km/h, on roads with separated directions under specified conditions; this does not make that speed the ordinary rural limit. Slow further whenever conditions require it.
Does Iceland use the same rural limit on paved and gravel roads?
No. Outside built-up areas, the general maximum is 90 km/h on paved roads and 80 km/h on gravel roads, unless otherwise signed. Reduce speed before a change to gravel; loose material and reduced grip can require much less than the maximum.
Is Iceland’s Ring Road automatically a high-speed motorway?
No. A route name or number does not create a motorway speed limit. Apply the signed limit and the general rule for the actual paved or gravel road, and drive more slowly for weather, bends and restricted visibility.
