Some signs are digital and will measure your speed as you pass by. Emergency services with flashing lights always have right of way. As a general guide the fine is usually between $195- $460 USD, however, if you are driving very fast, such as 41+km/h faster than legal top speed in 80-90km zones, then you may get fined $615-$690. I can so relate to it. Luckily, there are plenty of traffic signs around to remind you at which speed you should be driving. Hi. That fine is 10.000ISK (77USD) but goes down to 8900ISK (68USD) if paid imediately. Sometimes, the speed limit can be even lowerwhen turning a sharp corner or driving along a steep mountain road. the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Where were you driving? We drove the ring road in 5 days, perhaps a bit too ambitiously. The only concern the officer had was for me to pay the stupidly high 80,000. In other cases travelers have put down their hotel as an address, and tracking down the correct home address can be extremely time consuming. Anyone caught driving at the speed of 111-120 km/h (68-75 mph) can expect a fine of ISK 50,000 (USD 816) and those caught driving at the speed of 141-150 km/h (88-94 mph) will have to pay ISK 130,000 (USD 2,121). It is then important that people understand the risks they take when they drive there. The police, however, have in many cases had found it difficult to track down the correct addresses of the travelers in question. Also, please remember that the speed limit is only an indicator of the maximum speed and so if road conditions change (i.e. When the plate belongs to a car rental the police must rely on information the traveler has given to the car rental in order to send the ticket to the offender. I thought that was very very high. How do I pay my speeding fine in Iceland? Some are known to just tear up the citation as soon as the officer is out of sight. Totally freaked me out, girl! Icelandic Traffic Laws: Everything You Need to Know. Oh no! However, some tourist says they pay more in speeding fines in countries like Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. Thanks for the blog.. Too bad I saw it 2 days too late i was caught in almost a similar fashion travelling at 128km per hour in a 90 km zone..by a police car coming in the opposite direction armed with a mobile speed detector..which I sid not see at all. If an accident occurs farmers in Iceland do appreciate if the local law enforcement are informed so they will be able to attend the wounded animal. Speed limits in Iceland vary according to the type of road you are on, and if its urban or rural, so it is important you check signs when driving and keep within speed limits. The most common accidents happen when cars roll over and off the road. And also as a social contribution to a country which has offered so much of its natural beauty which I enjoyed practically for free ( no entrance fees..). The general speed limit is 30-50 km/hour in populated areas, 80 km/hour on gravel roads in rural areas and 90 km/hour on paved roads. In Finland, speeding fines are linked to salary. They are on average 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long with the longest stretching over 9 kilometers (5.5 miles). The general speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h or less in urban/residential areas; 80 km/h on gravel roads (we recommend slower speeds) Let us know! If you mustdrive in Iceland, you need to acquaint yourself with the right information about their driving laws else, you might be forced to cough out more fines than you ever expected. The floating crosswalk is not the usual method of tackling speeding in Iceland, but its definitely the most inventive! Painful lesson learned as I was not aware the speeding fine was so eye wateringly steep in Iceland. Speed bumps are used to slow down cars. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8224951', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland. The fees changed the last months. a fine for speaking on mobile while driving is raised from 25.000 to 40.000 ISK (from about 250 USD to 400 USD). Also, both officers were confused and initially said they dont know what other option I have. At no point was I doing in the 111-120, is there any degree of leniency? well written blog btw, Im enjoying reading what you have to say and thoroughly enjoyed this particular post. No matter the speed limit, there are plenty of signs that keep you updated. If I paid then and there, they would give me a 25% discount. Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Sweden has a plan to end all traffic accident deaths, Technology could make traffic jams a thing of the past. If you ever got a parking ticket stuck under your windshield wiper, you know how annoying and frustrating that could be, especially when you thought you have your car parked at the right place. You'll fine the answers here! Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Photo from the Reykjavk Police Instagram Account. The fines for speeding are absolutely ludicrous. They also hope to reduce air pollution and be more ecologically aware. Learn more about the fines and penalties . But saying you already received a fine isn't a valid ground for appeal. It actually ruined my entire day but its all okay now (8 months later haha). Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your rental car, it does not mean you are in the clear. If you want to, you can choose not to pay the fine! They said I had to pay. All of these rules are in place for the safety of citizens and tourists. caravan) are allowed to drive no faster than 90 km/h (56 mph). passport control - to ensure - that the ticket has been paid has not really worked as yet. Just remember that speed limits are there for your protection. Say I was doing 95? Understanding the speed limit is about as basic as knowing if to drive on the right side of the lane or the left. Then the same procedure takes over as with parking offences in Reykjavik. Definitely not gonna pay one in another countrylol, Iceland is wonderful for mountain lovers. Speed cameras are all over Iceland to catch drivers breaking the speed limit. Ask those many tourists who are, or have been in a hospital, after a traffic accident. Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. If you were speeding consistently that is possible since the times line up. On may 1st 2018 the regulation of traffic enforcement, including traffic fines, will be updated. Honestly, I was ready to pay if it was less than $200 but that much money in an almost empty highway was just too much. If unpaid after 14 days, the fine goes up to 15.000ISK (115USD). Whether its because of the weather, gravel flying up off the road, or animals in your path; choose the right speed for the condition and take your time. Whichever car first arrives at a one-lane bridge has the right of way to cross. Below you will find a rough guide to speed limits in Iceland. This article will prove helpful if you want to avoid getting speeding tickets on your visit to Iceland. Wait to receive your ticket in the post and pay the fine with no discount. A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. Are these used in Iceland? Earlier this year penalties for speeding were stiffened. F.e. I noticed that in certain parts of the country there are 'camera' signs indicating that speed cameras are in effect. If you are unable to avoid getting a fine, then it may be possible for you to dispute it. Couple questions and concerns. This new breed of crosswalk appears to be floating up and off the road, which encourages drivers to slow down and notice what's around them. Am I to expect a trillion Krona fine in the not too distant future? World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. And dont forget, the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? So if you planto return to Iceland one day and hope to drive, you definitely should pay the fine. Thats definitely the risk of not paying immediately. The cost of a speeding ticket varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. The answer to these speeding fines is only one!, Dont speed! The Finns run a "day fine" system that is calculated on the basis of an offender's daily disposable income - generally their daily salary divided by two. They talked to someone and said well right down your email and phone and will be in touch. I dont know why we arent broke already haha. All speeding fines are also updated and raised significantly. And not knowing the posted speedlimit isn't either Im guessing this was on the road between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I lived in Iceland for a while and got one for $500 :/ made sure to not speed again after that one!! The car rental companies provide us with peoples addresses and we send the fine to their home address. The most common rental car in Iceland is Toyota yaris and Suzuki jimmy, both small vehicles with short wheelbase, and provide very little protection in an accident. We simply dont have the necessary number of people Gurn tells RV. Im Angie, an American photographer, travel blogger, and adventure seeker. Iceland is a country with many natural wonders, but the best way to explore Icelands natural beauty is by car. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8639308', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland does a good job of maintaining its roads. Of course Iceland does not have autobahn or ultra modern freeways. You will be heavily fined for spending a night at private parking lots or other areas outside of the campsites. Oh no! There are Iceland police everywhere keeping watch of car speed in the cities and not to forget the speed cameras on the roads. I just got back from Iceland and got pulled over between auristly and borgarnes. Basically, when encountering another car, whoever has the parking space on their right needs to use it to let the other pass. Car rental companies are required by law to give the authorities your details if you receive a speeding ticket whilst driving their cars. Gurn Hauksdttir a police officer with the Police in Stykkishlmur in Western Iceland, where data from roadside cameras is processed, told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RV that one reason is that travelers frequently write their addresses in hand in their own alphabet, which can be difficult to decipher for police officers. I really don't feel sorry for the Czech man or the Italian lady. So good to know about speed cameras and such. What are my options and does this sound right? Both icelandicguide and FrozebBaz have posted here concerning tourists and driving in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Be especially aware at night, as to the sheep, your car is just a wandering flicker of light and the road is just part of their terrain. Re: Iceland Speeding Ticket fines 4 years ago Save Relative to the subject: On may 1st 2018 the regulation of traffic enforcement, including traffic fines, will be updated. Other speeding limits that are important to note: If you rent a car in Iceland then you won't have to worry about tires, as your rental company should have you covered with what you need. Here is a short list of of speeding fines in Iceland and how they increase with the offence: 1. Observing all traffic laws will save you lots of embarrassment from the Iceland authorities and also save you your hard earned dollars if you dont over-speed or parked at the wrong place. The average height for these speed bumps is about 12 inches, but some are as high as 36 inches. There are two main ways you get a speeding ticket; you either get pulled over on the road and given a ticket, or you get a ticket delivered to you by mail. That way you will probably get a 2-week period where the fine lowers by 30% or so. Most are just camera's and sometimes there's an officer doing the job with a lasergun. For parking tickets left on the windshield, you can simply walk into any bank, wait your turn, and pay your ticket. could easily be sourced from the fine - so it could be easier for the Iceland government to continue to provide excellent service to its people and visitors when such fines are paid. The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. Wow this is really informative ! ???? Just to clarify I was not speeding. 50-60km/h zones. (30-35 km zones), Driving 36km/h or faster over allowed top speed. As a general guide the fine is usually between $195- $460 USD, however, if you are driving very fast, such as 41+km/h faster than legal top speed in 80-90km zones, then you may get fined $615-$690. A lot of car rental companies also charge a handling fee if you get a speeding ticket. 70km/h zone. Some have the speed stickers posted on the dashboard while some have a big sign in their main office with the speed limit boldly written on it. Don't speed in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It can be difficult to determine at times as to where you are allowed or not allowed to part but there always are traffic signs informing the driver of the rules and obligations surrounding parking. On the sixth day, driving between Hvammstangi and Arnarstapi, I saw a van with flashing lights driving towards me. How are speed limits controlled in Iceland? Others seemed more understanding and admitted that Icelanders know where these fast-moving cameras are and slow down when they see them. But overall, most Icelanders agreed that it was only fair those who received these speeding tickets pay the fine. Funny, I asked well why dont you just give me a ticket now and tell me how to pay online? BTW I have always found local drivers in Iceland both private and professional to be extremely courteous. Our major roads are getting filled with little signs the authorities are putting up at the spot of fatalities, I recently counted 19 of these signs, all within ten minutes of my home. This sign means there is a one-way tunnel system ahead. Pedestrians crossing a zebra crossing, that has no lights, always have the right of way. They can also go to the website of Blastasjur and see pictures of the car. The police officer came up to my window and asked me to get out of the car. This is totally your choice to make. $720 AUD are you kidding me?! Traffic on roads that are shown the "Yellow Diamond" sign has the right of way. Speeding fines in Iceland are very expensive. The low speed limit is not just about safety, it's about quality of life. If they cant providethat proof, you shouldnt have to pay. I'm not sure what you're asking. Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15% or higher) First Offense: No less than $2,500. 50/1987Here are the fees associated with these offenses: You will have different options depending on the type of ticket. In fact, this is the reason they give you a 25% discount to encourage you to pay the fine. Apparently, all of Iceland has a max speed of 90kph - I had no idea. The good thing is that, on almost all the roads in Iceland, there are ample signs with the speed limits. Option 2: Wait to receive your ticket in the mail and pay the fine with no discount. Gurn Hauksdttir, a police officer in Western Iceland, said that one reason is that travelers frequently write their addresses in hand in their own alphabet. It always sucks getting tickets, especially when its international. However, if you refuse to pay your fine, you should also never think of returning to Iceland because if you do and the police stop you the next time you visit, you will go to jail. Fines for everything will be raised a lot. Plus, there are signs that alert you when theres an upcoming speed camera (see photo). I did not pay, and will never go back. The biggest concern for those who receive tickets and dont want to pay is if they return to Iceland in the future, would they be turned away, arrested, or stopped at customs and forced to pay a steep fine? 3. Thats the only one I know with several speeding cameras that close to each other. The digital screen will display your speed, and if youre under the limit youll be rewarded with a smiley face. Keep your eyes peel at all times. I would love to hear your story! Parking violation fines are imposed on vehicles when a parking offense like parking where there is a marked "No Parking Zone" or where the driver parked on the curb or too close to the walkway. One woman lost $3,000 to a scammer who used the names of real police officers to rip her . But do you have to? Sure it sucked, but I didnt speed the rest of my trip. I live inCentral Florida and with 47 million visitors a year, speeding and reckless driving is a major problem. Do you want to know more about this subject? The officer was very polite and professional. Keeping to the right speed limit is very important as spontaneous dangers can present themselves on Iceland roads. Parking is free but you need to get a parking clock at a gas station, tourist information and there are shops that carries them too. They said ummm not sure how. This new breed of crosswalk appears to be floating up and off the road, which. F.e. And it was 60000kr. You *can* get caught 3 times (or more!) (BTW - I understand that the sixth traffic fatality this year happened a few days ago in Iceland). However, there are many speed cameras around Reykjavik, tunnel areas, and the Ring Road. Copy of the complaint. You can pay with credit card, on the spot. If you have an experience receiving a speeding ticket in Iceland or any foreign country, let me know how you handledthe situation in the comments below. On the lookout Police in Iceland have trouble tracking down and fining foreign speeders. Its really up to you, but if you do, Im not even sure your credit card will take your side. Hopefully, it wasnt too difficult to figure out. Oh and thank you for this blog. If significant details of the speeding alleged offence are incorrect, (ie your name, nature, time and location) you may be able to dispute the ticket, The driver who allegedly committed the speeding offence wasnt driving at the time, If the speed measuring instrument was incorrectly used or misused. A study done by the University of Iceland found that there is an average of one speed bump every 20 meters in the country. As a general guide, the limits are 50km/h in urban areas and 30km/h on residential roads. Its also an easy way to access remote areas of the country that are inaccessible by public transportation. Hi there! I cant believe they tracked him down! Please note that there have been some recent changes to the payable tolls for tunnels. The Icelandic police will trace the speeding car and if the car belongs to Go Iceland Car Rental, the main office gets an E-mail with the all the information of the offending car. As a general guide the fine is usually between $195- $460 USD, however, if you are driving very fast, such as 41+km/h above the legal top speed (in 80-90km zones), then you may get fined $615-$690. Gurn also tells RV that the Police has noticed an increasing number of cars driving without license plates on the front. Yikes! A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. We just got a fine and my husband paid . The standard toll for normal passenger vehicles is ISK 1,500, (approx. As a driver, before you jumped behind any vehicle to drive, its your responsibility to know the traffic laws of the country you are driving in. Instead of paying 30,000 ISK ($247 USD), the fine would be 22,500 ISK ($185 USD). One of the things that you need to be extremely careful with is Iceland's population of over 800,000 wandering sheep. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8234223', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Image:REUTERS/Anton Vaganov. Is the collection made after the ticket is issued, or is the offender given time to send in the money? I did get stopped here in NZ because my car wasnt up to date with these specific inspections Luckily I got a warning and just had to get the inspection done and passed then send it to the police. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close. Below are common legal defences for speeding fines: How long will a speeding fine take to arrive? When you approach a roundabout, make sure you already know which exit you will be taking. I know of an speeding violation that resulted in a $900 USD ticket that arrived 6 months after the fact. If it was, say, <$150, people would be more likely to pay out of conscience or concern for a return trip to the country. You do not indicate when you enter the roundabout, instead, you need to indicate when you are leaving it. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8641007', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car rentals have the credit card informations of those who were in a rental. (70km zone), Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. Some rental car companies charge a handling fee for this. The more a driver is over the speed limit, the greater the number of fines they receive. One individual who allegedly called theIcelandic police department spoke to a woman who saidnothing would happensince they are not a citizen of Iceland. Gurn says. Of those whose addresses we find, only about 45% pay.. Foreigners (tourists in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? that's a first, (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? In most areas outside of city limits, the speed limit is anywhere from 60 to 80 km/h for unpaved roads. 2006-2023 All copyright reserved on photos and content, This website uses cookies to help you browse on the website/ web. Speeding in Iceland is controlled through two main measures; speed cameras and speed bumps. Don't break the law and you won't have to pay fines. Speed limits are very much present and driving under the influence is a strict no-go. They can range anywhere from $200 to $700. Funny, I just got pulled over today a bit after Vik. So do not assume that the countryside is not well covered with speed cameras. Iceland is totally a dream and should be at the top of everyones bucket list like yours! Yes, you should pay because you broke the law and it is the right things to do. The first thing drivers should know is that Iceland speed limits, On open roads the speed limit varies too; on, These Iceland speed limits are the legal maximum, but depending on driving conditions, you may wish to. Ill keep it short and simple. We got a ticket for wrong parking (duh) in Spain. Pl us, a lthough the roads might seem empty at times, common sense applies. Most likely when you receive your ticket in the mail from an Iceland speed camera,they offer a 25% discount if you pay within a certain amount of time. SSN: 680513-1550 / VAT: 114128 Speeding Fines Simplified for Tourists. One-lane bridges are indicated with a bright orange sign and a label of a car with a narrow bridge. Anyone caught driving at the speed of 111-120 km/h (68-75 mph) can expect a fine of ISK 50,000 (USD 816) and those caught driving at the speed of 141-150 km/h (88-94 mph) will have to pay ISK 130,000 (USD 2,121). Therefore, its impossible to track down every individual who decides not to pay the fines.