Iceland Winter Driving Checklist: Vehicle, Equipment and Digital Prep

Before You Leave: The Essential Winter Driving Checklist

Every winter, Icelandic search and rescue teams respond to hundreds of calls from drivers — tourists and locals alike — who were unprepared for conditions that changed faster than expected. A clear morning in Reykjavík does not mean clear roads in Vík. A forecast of "light snow" can become a full blizzard at elevation. This checklist is based on what ICE-SAR teams actually recommend, not theoretical safety guidelines.

Vehicle Check (Before Every Drive)

• Winter tires fitted: Check for the M+S or 3PMSF marking. Studded tires (nagladekkja) provide the best grip on ice. Tread depth should be minimum 4mm — legal minimum is 1.6mm but that provides almost no winter grip.
• Headlights and taillights working: In 4 hours of daylight, your lights are your lifeline. Check all bulbs, including brake lights and fog lights.
• Windscreen washer fluid topped up: Use winter-rated fluid (-20°C or colder). Standard fluid freezes on the windscreen and creates an opaque ice layer.
• Fuel above half tank: Never set out with less than half a tank. Fuel stations in rural Iceland can be 150+ km apart, and road closures can add hours to any journey.
• Battery condition: Cold weather drains batteries faster. If the engine turns over slowly when starting, the battery may not survive a day in -10°C. Rental companies should provide vehicles with good batteries, but check.

In-Vehicle Emergency Kit

• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Blanket or sleeping bag rated to -15°C
• Warm hat, gloves, and waterproof outer layer (in the car, not in the suitcase in the boot)
• Snacks: chocolate, energy bars, nuts — high-calorie, non-perishable
• 1 litre of water per person
• Torch/headlamp with fresh batteries
• Phone charger (car adapter and power bank)
• First aid kit
• Warning triangle (legally required in Iceland)
• High-visibility vest (legally required)

Digital Preparation

• Download the 112 Iceland app: Allows you to send your GPS coordinates to emergency services
• Bookmark road.is: Check it every morning, and again before any significant drive
• Bookmark vedur.is: Weather forecasts and wind speed predictions
• Save your rental company's emergency number: In your phone contacts, not just on the paperwork
• Download offline maps: Google Maps allows offline map downloads. Download the Iceland map set before you leave your hotel Wi-Fi.

Driving Rules for Winter Conditions

• Reduce speed by at least 20 km/h below the posted limit in any winter conditions (snow, ice, wind, darkness).
• Increase following distance to at least 5 seconds (double the normal recommendation).
• Brake early and gently. ABS helps but does not create grip that is not there.
• If you feel the car sliding, steer gently into the slide — do not brake or jerk the wheel.
• On ice, use engine braking (lower gears) rather than the brake pedal.
• If visibility drops below 50 metres, pull over safely, turn on hazard lights, and wait for conditions to improve.