Does Iceland Drive on the Left or Right? Guide for UK, Australian & Japanese Drivers

Iceland drives on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. This is the same as mainland Europe, the US, and most of the world.

If you are coming from a country that drives on the left — the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, India — you will need to consciously adjust. The risks are highest in the first few hours of driving, at junctions, and after stops.

Countries that drive on the left (where Iceland is different)

If you hold a driving licence from one of these countries, pay extra attention during your first day behind the wheel in Iceland:

• United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
• Australia and New Zealand
• Japan
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
• South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe
• Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia
• Ireland
• Cyprus, Malta (EU but left-hand traffic)

The most common mistakes when switching sides

1. Drifting left when distracted

Your muscle memory pulls you to the left — the side you have driven on your whole life. This is most dangerous on empty rural roads where there is nothing forcing you to stay right. Keep conscious about your road position, especially after stops.

2. Turning left into oncoming traffic

When turning left at a junction, first-time right-hand-traffic drivers often pull across into the oncoming lane. Remember: after a left turn in Iceland, you end up on the right side of the new road, not the left.

3. Exiting a car park or petrol station on the wrong side

After navigating a car park (which has no clear lane markings), drivers instinctively pull onto the left side of the road. Pause, check, and consciously move right.

4. Roundabouts

In Iceland, roundabouts are clockwise (the same direction as in mainland Europe). Traffic inside the roundabout has priority. Yield to the left before entering. This is the opposite of the UK, where you yield to the right.

Iceland-specific road features to know

Single-lane bridges

Iceland has hundreds of single-lane bridges, especially outside Reykjavík. Both directions share one lane. The rule is: the car closest to the bridge has right of way. If it is roughly equal, yield and let the other car cross first. Always slow to a walking pace when approaching.

Road 1 — the Ring Road

The Ring Road (Route 1) is the main road circumnavigating Iceland. It is a two-lane paved road for most of its length — one lane in each direction. Speed limit is 90 km/h on open highway, 80 km/h on gravel sections.

Gravel roads

Many roads in Iceland are unpaved gravel (F-roads and some secondary roads). The same right-hand traffic rule applies. Reduce speed to 50–60 km/h on gravel and be ready for oncoming vehicles on narrow sections.

Practical tips for your first day

• Put a note on the dashboard saying "DRIVE RIGHT" — simple but effective for the first day.
• Let your passenger be your co-pilot. Ask them to call out "keep right" at every junction until it becomes habit.
• Start on a quiet road. If possible, avoid driving out of Keflavík Airport directly onto the busy Route 41 without first getting 10 minutes of low-traffic practice.
• Rent a left-hand-drive car. All rental cars in Iceland are left-hand-drive (driver on the left side of the car), which is what you want when driving on the right.
• Give yourself more time. On your first day, build extra travel time into your plan. Do not rush.

Speed limits in Iceland

These apply regardless of which side of the road you normally drive on:

• Urban areas: 50 km/h
• Rural paved roads: 90 km/h
• Gravel roads: 80 km/h
• Near schools, residential zones: 30 km/h (signed)

Summary

Iceland drives on the right. Roundabouts are clockwise, overtaking is on the left, and left turns require particular attention. The adjustment takes a few hours — most drivers from left-hand-traffic countries feel comfortable by their second day. Start slowly, stay conscious, and you will adapt quickly.