60+ signs with Icelandic names, meanings, legal consequences, and driving tips for Iceland's unique roads.
Blind Summit / Hidden Dip
Blindhæð
The road crests a hill where oncoming traffic is not visible. You cannot see cars approaching from the other side. This is one of the most dangerous signs in Iceland.
Single-Lane Bridge Ahead
Einbreiður brú
A bridge ahead that is only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. The vehicle closest to the bridge has right of way. The other must stop and wait.
End of Pavement / Gravel Road Ahead
Malbikslok
The paved road ends and transitions to a gravel or dirt surface. Reduced traction and loose stones ahead.
Speed Bump
Hraðatafla
A raised bump across the road to force vehicles to slow down. Common near schools, pedestrian areas, and small towns.
Snow / Ice on Road
Snjór/Ís á vegi
Snow or ice is present on the road surface. Severely reduced grip and braking distance.
Sheep on Road
Sauðfé á vegi
Free-roaming sheep are likely on or near the road. Sheep in Iceland are allowed to roam freely in summer (June-September) and are completely unpredictable.
Horses on Road
Hross á vegi
Icelandic horses may be on or crossing the road. Common in rural areas, especially near farms.
Fog
Þoka
Dense fog reducing visibility ahead. Particularly dangerous on mountain passes and coastal roads.
Pedestrian Crossing Ahead
Gangstétt
A pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing) is coming up. Pedestrians have absolute right of way on marked crossings.
Cyclists
Hjólreiðar
Cyclists are likely on or crossing the road. Give at least 1.5m clearance when passing.
Road Works
Virk mannvirkjagerð
Active road construction or maintenance ahead. Workers and machinery may be present on the road.
Sandstorm
Sandstormur
Sandstorm conditions in this area, particularly in the South Iceland black sand deserts (Skeiðarársandur). Extremely abrasive volcanic sand can strip paint and shatter windshields.
Rough Road / Uneven Surface
Óheppilegar brautarhlið
Road surface is uneven, potholed, or damaged. Risk of losing control at speed.
General Danger
Hætta
A general warning sign indicating danger ahead. Often paired with a supplementary sign explaining the specific hazard.
Wild Reindeer Crossing
Hreindýr á vegi
Wild reindeer may cross the road. Found exclusively in East Iceland (Austurland). A herd can suddenly cross at any time.
Bridge with Uneven Surface
Brú/Þrep
Bridge ahead with a raised edge or uneven transition that can cause vehicles to bounce or lose control.
Speed Limit 30 km/h
Hraðatakmörk 30
Maximum speed 30 km/h. Common in school zones, narrow residential streets, and near pedestrian areas.
Speed Limit 50 km/h
Hraðatakmörk 50
Maximum speed 50 km/h. Standard urban speed limit across all Icelandic towns and cities.
Speed Limit 70 km/h
Hraðatakmörk 70
Maximum speed 70 km/h. Used in transition zones between urban and rural roads, and some gravel roads.
Speed Limit 80 km/h
Hraðatakmörk 80
Maximum speed 80 km/h. Standard limit on rural GRAVEL roads. Note: gravel roads have a lower limit than paved roads (90 km/h).
Speed Limit 90 km/h
Hraðatakmörk 90
Maximum speed 90 km/h. The highest speed limit in Iceland, applied only to paved rural roads like the Ring Road.
No Entry
Akstur bannaður
Vehicles may not enter this road. Often used for one-way streets (entering from wrong direction), closed roads, or pedestrian-only zones.
No Overtaking
Umferðarrein bönnuð
Overtaking (passing) other vehicles is prohibited. Typically placed near blind summits, narrow sections, or dangerous curves.
No Stopping
Stöðvunarkeyrður
You may not stop your vehicle on this section of road for any reason, even briefly.
No Parking
Bílastæðaleyfi
Parking is prohibited. You may briefly stop to let passengers in/out but cannot leave the vehicle unattended.
No Left Turn
Bannað að beygja til vinstri
Left turns are prohibited at this intersection. Make a U-turn or find an alternative route.
No Right Turn
Bannað að beygja til hægri
Right turns are prohibited at this intersection.
No U-Turn
U-beygja bönnuð
U-turns are prohibited. Common on narrow roads, near intersections, and on the Ring Road.
No Horn Use
Bannað að hljóðgefa
Use of vehicle horn is prohibited in this area. Common in residential zones and near hospitals.
Weight Limit
Þyngdartakmark
Vehicles over the specified weight (in tonnes) may not use this road. Common on bridges and rural roads.
Width Limit
Breiddartak
Vehicles wider than the specified dimension may not pass. Common on tunnel approaches and narrow bridges.
No Motorcycles
Mótorhjólar bannaðir
Motorcycles are prohibited on this road. Rare but found on some highland and F-roads due to safety concerns.
Headlights Required
Skylduleg ljós
Headlights must be on at all times. In Iceland, this is actually the LAW for ALL vehicles, ALL the time, in ALL conditions — day or night, all year.
Minimum Speed
Lágmarkshraði
You must maintain at least the indicated speed (where safe). Used on some tunnels and main roads to maintain traffic flow.
Keep Right
Haltu til hægri
You must keep to the right side of the road or obstacle. Used around medians, islands, and road construction.
Roundabout Direction
Hringtorg
Indicates the direction of travel in a roundabout (counter-clockwise/anticlockwise in Iceland as traffic drives on the right).
Pedestrian and Cycle Path
Göngu- og hjólreiðastígur
Designated path for pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicles are prohibited. Often runs parallel to roads in Reykjavik.
F-Road Marker
F-vegur
This is a highland "F-road" — a rough mountain track in Iceland's interior. 4WD vehicles MANDATORY. These roads are not maintained like normal roads. River fords, loose gravel, extreme terrain.
Road Closed to 2WD Vehicles
Vegur lokaður 4x4
This road is legally closed to vehicles that are not 4-wheel drive. This is a legal restriction, not a suggestion. The road conditions require 4WD capability.
Caution: River Ford Ahead
Varúð: Vaðill
A river crossing with no bridge ahead. You must drive through the river. Depth and current vary greatly. ONLY for experienced 4WD drivers who have assessed the crossing.
Yield to Oncoming in Narrowings
Í þrengingum gefur mótkomandi bifreiðum forgang
In road narrowings, you must yield to oncoming traffic. Common on coastal roads with temporary narrow sections.
Hiking Trail Only
Gönguleið
This track is for foot traffic only. No vehicles permitted, including 4WD, ATVs, and bicycles in some cases.
Highland Road Open / Closed
Vegur opinn / lokaður
Seasonal sign indicating whether the highland/F-road is open for the season. F-roads typically open in June and close in September-October.
Fuel Station
Bensínstöð
A petrol/diesel station is ahead or nearby. Pay attention: some Iceland gas stations are 100+ km apart, especially in the Highlands and East Fjords.
Campsite
Tjaldsvæði
An official campsite is ahead. Iceland has over 170 designated campsites. Wild camping is legally restricted — you must use official campsites.
Tourist / Scenic Attraction
Ferðamannasvæði
A tourist attraction or point of interest is indicated. Brown signs in Iceland mark historical sites, waterfalls, geothermal areas, and viewpoints.
Hospital
Sjúkrahús
Hospital or medical facility ahead. Emergency number in Iceland: 112.
Give Way / Yield
Biðskylda
Yield to all traffic on the main road. An inverted red triangle (pointing down) means give way. You must slow down or stop and let other vehicles pass.
Stop
Stans
Come to a complete stop before the stop line. You must stop even if no traffic is coming. Look both ways then proceed when clear.
Tunnel Ahead
Jarðgöng
A road tunnel ahead. Iceland has numerous undersea and mountain tunnels, including some single-lane tunnels with passing places.
100+ bridges on the Ring Road — tourists cause accidents here daily
You see "Einbreiður brú" sign (black bridge icon on yellow triangle)
Slow to 30 km/h IMMEDIATELY, even if the bridge looks empty
Look at the bridge AND the far approach — is anyone coming?
The vehicle CLOSEST to the bridge has right of way
If a car is already ON the bridge — STOP and wait at the near end
If you are clearly closer — proceed, but at 30 km/h max
If in doubt, YIELD — the other driver may not know the rules
Exit bridge, accelerate back to road speed after clearing it
✗ Accelerating to "claim" the bridge before the other car
✓ Slow down, assess, yield if unsure
✗ Assuming the bridge is two-way because it looks wide enough
✓ One vehicle at a time regardless
✗ Not seeing the warning sign and arriving at bridge at 90 km/h
✓ Watch for bridge shape ahead — always unique
✗ Yielding unnecessarily when you are clearly closer
✓ Creates confusion — commit to your decision
Remember: Iceland has 150+ single-lane bridges on Route 1 alone. You will encounter them multiple times per day on a Ring Road trip.
School Zones
Urban / Town
Gravel Roads
Paved Rural
F-Roads (varies)
Speeding Fine Scale (ISK)
1-10 km/h over
12,000 ISK (~€80)
11-20 km/h over
20,000-35,000 ISK
21-30 km/h over
35,000-60,000 ISK
31+ km/h over
Court summons + suspension
Zero tolerance — fines apply from 1 km/h over the limit. Speed cameras are common, especially on Ring Road.
Highland mountain tracks — not roads in any normal sense
If you ignore F-road signs in a 2WD:
Insurance voided, full damage costs, possible €500-5,000+ recovery bill, public shaming on Icelandic news (yes, this happens), and you endanger rescue teams.
Before You Drive in Iceland
Check road conditions at road.is or call 1777. Download the 112 Iceland app for emergency location sharing. Review your rental car insurance for gravel road, sand, and river crossing coverage. Safe driving — Iceland's nature is extraordinary, but its roads demand full respect.