I had no idea that the fines were so stiff. Iceland Speeding Ticket fines 5 years ago Save Good evening. Speeding is a common offence that people visiting Iceland get fined for, and the fines are costly. Some of the basic rules for Iceland include: Traffic coming from the right always has the right of way, unless a sign, traffic warden, or lights state otherwise. This was back in august, Today (December 7th). Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15% or higher) First Offense: No less than $2,500. They also hope to reduce air pollution and be more ecologically aware. Are these used in Iceland? In Iceland, you drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left. If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. Iceland Speed Limits and Managing a Speeding Fine in Iceland Don't break the law and you won't have to pay fines. Driving in a foreign country can be exciting, stressful and educational. If it was, say, <$150, people would be more likely to pay out of conscience or concern for a return trip to the country. Would have never expected a full blown article on speeding ticket but this sure is helpful. If you were in a rental car, they will pass on your details to the authorities. The police will send the speeding ticket to the registered driver. If you get pulled over by the police, you have two options: Pay the fine upfront and receive a 25% discount off the fine. How to Avoid Speeding Tickets in Iceland and speed cameras The standard toll for normal passenger vehicles is ISK 1,500, (approx. 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. Don't forget, Iceland is an island and if you ever want to leave, pay your fine and the next time obey the law. If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. In Iceland, there are two types of parking violation charges: The #1 parking violation charge is a fine meant for vehicles that failed to park at the right designated parking areas or for drivers who stays longer than necessary at the parking area. Icelandic Traffic Laws: Everything You Need to Know. Thx to the rental company for not giving us a heads up on a rediculous fee system. F.e. Driving 26km/h or faster over allowed top speed. However, some tourist says they pay more in speeding fines in countries like Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. 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. Parking and camping outside of designated camping zones in Iceland are illegal. Each and every rental service demands you sign a contract where you agree to adhere to the traffic law. heavy blizzard) then it's your responsibility to adjust your speed accordingly. The only concern the officer had was for me to pay the stupidly high 80,000. It always sucks getting tickets, especially when its international. Image:REUTERS/Anton Vaganov. The first thing drivers should know is that Iceland speed limits are much lower than they are in other countries. The more a driver is over the speed limit, the greater the number of fines they receive. When it comes to speeding fines if a police officer issued the fine on the spot, you can pay it immediately. This article will prove helpful if you want to avoid getting speeding tickets on your visit to Iceland. If still unpaid after 28 days, it goes up to 20.000ISK (154USD). In both instances, your options are limited - see below. Get answers to your questions about Reykjavik, Taxi/Bus Costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik. No matter the speed limit, there are plenty of signs that keep you updated. If you get your ticket in the mail from a speed camera, you have two options. When you approach a roundabout, make sure you already know which exit you will be taking. And I said well I dont have enough $ on my CC now and leaving Iceland tomorrow. Even in remote, rural parts of Iceland, you will find speed cameras. This was back in august, Today (December 7th) A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits 3. To read or not to read. WTF is this bs, two more speeding fines from the one that i received. A lot of car rental companies also charge a handling fee if you get a speeding ticket. As of 2019, drivers passing through Valaheiargng tunnel in North Iceland will need to pay a toll of between ISK 700 to 6,000 depending on the vehicle. Painful lesson learned as I was not aware the speeding fine was so eye wateringly steep in Iceland. Speeding is a common offence that people visiting Iceland get fined for, and the fines are costly. I would be so freaked out being pulled over in a country where I didnt speak the language!! I understand that you get a speeding fine but do you get points on your licence? 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. They talked to someone and said well right down your email and phone and will be in touch. Usually there is a discount if you pay quickly, but it should say that on the ticket. Haha I decided to write it because there really was no blog post or definite answer on whether or not one needed to pay the speeding ticket. Then because people lose control when roads changes suddenly from tarmac to gravel. There are a lot of rules on the road, most of them are obvious; such as, in Iceland you drive on the right, overtake on the left, seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers, headlights are also mandatory, dont drink and drive and dont go over the speed limit. Vehicles pulling a trailer (i.e. Learn more about the fines and penalties . 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. And Im SO glad they let you off with a warning! The speed limit in Iceland can basically be divided into three general speed limits: Speed limit for paved/tarred roads away from towns & cities: 90km/h (55mph) Dirt or gravel road speed limit: 80 km/h (50mph) Speed limit in towns & cities: 50 km/h (30mph) It's about being able to enjoy the view from your car, or being able to have a conversation with your passenger without shouting over the noise of the engine. Then the same procedure takes over as with parking offences in Reykjavik. Recently, a tourist from the Czech Republic who was fined for a speed violation complained that the fine was equivalent to his monthly salary also an Italian woman was noticed to be in tears when she was told how much she has to pay for violating the speed law. The second one is when a parking offence has been comitted. Knowing the driving rules in Iceland will help to keep you safe from harm and from expensive fines! Speeding fines? - Iceland Forum - Tripadvisor A lot of car rental companies also charge a handling fee if you get a speeding ticket. I cant believe they tracked him down! A bus is driving faster over the legal limits, 2. 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. Speeding cameras have been installed along the highways all over the country. He escorted me inside the van where I was seated at a desk. Definitely not gonna pay one in another countrylol, Iceland is wonderful for mountain lovers. 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. If you want to, you can choose not to pay the fine! Therefore, its impossible to track down every individual who decides not to pay the fines. They can range anywhere from $200 to $700. Remember that the inside lane always has the right of way. The speed limit on unpaved roadsis 80 km/hror 49 mph. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Keflavik office The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. 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). I would love to travel to ???????? Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your rental car, it does not mean you are in the clear. I hope everyone is keeping safe with the current happenings in our world. Fines for off-road driving are significant, a group of four French tourists was given an ISK 400,000 fine for off-road driving. 2. A parking offence is when you park a car where its simply not allowed to park at any time like on a curb or streets where parking is never allowed. Honestly, I was ready to pay if it was less than $200 but that much money in an almost empty highway was just too much. Others seemed more understanding and admitted that Icelanders know where these fast-moving cameras are and slow down when they see them. But overall, most Icelanders agreed that it was only fair those who received these speeding tickets pay the fine. So if you planto return to Iceland one day and hope to drive, you definitely should pay the fine. Thank you in advance However, most of the speeding cameras are located in the south part of Iceland which has fewer police patrols. Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you. How to Avoid Speeding Tickets in Iceland - Iceland Car Rental If someone parks on a parking space marked for handicapped individuals, the fine is 20.000ISK (154USD). Driving in Iceland : Iceland Travel Guide : Nordic Visitor Have you had an experience related to the contents of this article? Below you will find a rough guide to speed limits in Iceland. A study done by the University of Iceland found that there is an average of one speed bump every 20 meters in the country. They will then charge your credit card and pay it off for you, adding an administration fee. Unfortunately it wasnt a fraud . This has led to headline-grabbing . Went to iceland back in august, got pulled over at 2:59am for speeding, Paid a 500$ish tickets by a police cruiser that picked me up on radar. Driving in Iceland gives you immense freedom and can be great fun. 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. 2015-2023 Northbound. Enroll immediately online or by calling toll free 1-888-334-5565: Defensive Driving Schools Information for Arizona (Online Registration) Complete the class at least seven business days prior to the court date written above your signature on the complaint. This can be very hard for police officers to decipher. In the Fort Worth, Texas, area, scammers have used the phone to extract payment from unwitting motorists. Traffic Ticket Fines & Penalties in Arizona | DMV.ORG How nice of them! Your car is captured by a speeding camera - In this case, the Icelandic police will trace the speeding car to the car rental company and subsequently send a mail requesting information on the offending car. Do I Need To Pay My Speeding Ticket In Iceland? { I've got the answer } Where were you driving? $500 is a pretty hefty fee.? F.e. 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. 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. One woman lost $3,000 to a scammer who used the names of real police officers to rip her . Iceland is not a friendly place for a learner driver, especially if you are a visitor to the country. Parking in Reykjavik is the same as parking in any other European capital. The speed cameras are of multi-national standard and are the same found all over Europe and the UK. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Overall, not a terrible experience. Which is $460. What would a Marshall Plan for Ukraine look like? Of course this is sad but the same rules must apply to foreign tourists as to Icelanders, says Erlingsson, adding that car-rental companies should keep their customers better informed about the traffic law. One thing making Iceland stand out to many countries are the swift weather changes one has to be prepared for, especially driving around Iceland off season, like low sun, snow blizzards coming from no where, slippery roads and so on. If the road you were caught speeding on was absent of signs notifying you of speed limits. The cost of a speeding ticket varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. Option 1: Pay the fine. Here is a short list of of speeding fines in Iceland and how they increase with the offence: 20% will be added to this if: 1. I paid the ticket (about $281) to the extremely friendly officer and went on my way. (30-35 km zones), Driving 36km/h or faster over allowed top speed. Somebody would have to do the math of a higher compliance rate/lower fine structure vs. a higher fine rate/lower compliance, but I bet they'd get more payments at a lower cost. Say I was doing 95? Below are common legal defences for speeding fines: How long will a speeding fine take to arrive? Earlier this year penalties for speeding were stiffened. This website uses cookies to help you browse on the website/ web. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. Sometimes, the speed limit can be even lowerwhen turning a sharp corner or driving along a steep mountain road. 3. It is important to note that the automatic speed-surveillance cameras are not always correct; therefore, it would be wise to ask for proof before you pay your ticket. One thing to consider when you are driving in Iceland is the weather factor. Speed limits in Iceland vary according to the type of road you are on, so it is important you check signs when driving and keep within speed limits. Iceland Speeding Ticket fines - Iceland Forum - Tripadvisor I received an email indicating i have to pay two more speeding fines that range each from 500-700$ for speeding camera radars from 2:31am and 2:52am on the same highway. Great way to tick off the tourists spending big in your country. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close. While driving inside the tunnel you need to pull over to dedicated parking zones on your right-hand side whenever you see traffic coming from the other side. and according to driving laws and posted signs along your route. (50-60km zones), Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. 30-35 km zones. When you get your speeding ticket in the post, make sure to pay it quickly because youll pay 25% less than waiting. 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. Then there are the horrible "washboard" roads. Just 80 percent of fines charged to foreign tourists . Speed cameras in Iceland look like gray rectangles, with lenses on them. Of those whose addresses we find, only about 45% pay.. At no point was I doing in the 111-120, is there any degree of leniency? Take your time and enjoy the ride! caravan) are allowed to drive no faster than 90 km/h (56 mph). Of course you can appeal. I had a friend who was ticketed in Germany! They also got my address from the driver license. Dining in Paris Driving in Iceland is no different. In this post, we collected all the information and costs of violating the law. Their advice should be taken seriously when driving there, as you can read below. That fine is 10.000ISK (77USD) but goes down to 8900ISK (68USD) if paid imediately. The roads can be narrow, winding and sometimes unpaved; so drivers must be careful not to speed or drive too fast for the conditions. We will be in touch. These are internationally acceptable signs just like you have in any European country. According to online statistics, road accidents by foreigners with rental cars is about 157 fatalities from 2007-2017. Speeding fines in Iceland - Reykjavik Forum - Tripadvisor Please check the following requirements: Between November 1st - April 14th: Studded tires are allowed but not compulsory. To avoid speeding fines in Iceland, it is essential to know the speed limits. If you wait until after this deadline, youll have to pay the full amount. These Iceland speed limits are the legal maximum, but depending on driving conditions, you may wish to drive slower. All Rights Reserved. We appeal to peoples good conscience when other means at our disposal fail. There are a couple of reasons for this low number. 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. The rental company may get hit with the charge and will be able to pass it onto you and potentially even charge your credit card. Ripped off? Apparently, all of Iceland has a max speed of 90kph - I had no idea. Even then the times (and the fee) indicate you were going quite a lot over the limit (+125 km/h). Many of our foreign tourists, very unfortunately, completely ignore tickets. 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. Based on my research, it seems that if you dont ever plan on driving in Iceland again, you dont have to pay. Im Angie, an American photographer, travel blogger, and adventure seeker. Below are common legal defences for speeding fines: How long will a speeding fine take to arrive? The crosswalk isnt really floating, of course, its just a painted optical illusion. And dont forget, the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. Thanks for this article! I decided to pay the ticket immediately using my credit card. Hi there! Pl us, a lthough the roads might seem empty at times, common sense applies. 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. Don't speed in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The car rental companies provide us with peoples addresses and we send the fine to their home address. However, police officers most likely have visibility to outstanding fines previously incurred in their country, and definitely will in their specific state/region. The floating crosswalk is not the usual method of tackling speeding in Iceland, but its definitely the most inventive! If both your license and passport details werent recorded at the time of the offense or by the rental car company, it seems unlikely that any country would link the two together. As of February, foreign tourists owed over ISK 27 million ($255 000/216 000) in fines. The authority of the judge to show lenience has been eliminated and you can expect to to fork over at least several thousand dollars and have have you license suspended for six months. I thought that was very very high. We are quite sure you likely have a few. If you are unsure then you should always stick to a slower speed. Speed bumps are used to slow down cars. In most areas outside of city limits, the speed limit is anywhere from 60 to 80 km/h for unpaved roads. Mobile radar detects your speed and you are intercepted by the police in such cases, you are asked to pay immediately and might likely get a discount (25% discount if you pay it within two weeks) OR. They want(ed) me to pay 50650 ISK. Iceland is totally a dream and should be at the top of everyones bucket list like yours! Here are some other reasons why you need to pay your speed fine: The cost of speeding damage on roads, traffic delays caused by accidents, medical costs or the SAR helicopters for rescue missions, etc. There have been few incidents in the past where people have hired rental cars, travelled, returned home, and then weeks later received a letter to their home address with a request to pay fines in Iceland. Speeding Fines Simplified for Tourists. For example if you drive between 110-121 km you pay 80.000 isk and 60.000 isk with the 25% discount. Well now I'm reading horror stories about the speed cameras in Iceland and the rental car companies charging people's card for a ton of money. Some rental car companies charge a handling fee for this. Paved roads, given how easy it is for tires to grip them in normal conditions, are known for being on the higher end with ranges from 60 to 90 km/h in many cases. Proudly made in Reykjavk City. Guide to Parking in Iceland: rules and how to pay - Hertz speeding fine - Iceland Forum - Tripadvisor Of course Iceland does not have autobahn or ultra modern freeways. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8227180', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental cars), have had 738 road accidents, and 150 serious injurys this year, from Jan 1. Around the country, you will find many one-lane bridges. 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. How to avoid speeding tickets in Iceland - Nordic Car Rental Some signs are digital and will measure your speed as you pass by. Is it an automatic ticket? Speed cameras are all over Iceland to catch drivers breaking the speed limit. Use the inside line if you plan to exit on the second, third, or fourth exist. Iceland is a country with many natural wonders, but the best way to explore Icelands natural beauty is by car. For many years Hvalfjrur Tunnel was subject to a fee, however, as of 2018, this tunnel is now toll-free. Just remember that speed limits are there for your protection. I just got back from Iceland and got pulled over between auristly and borgarnes. Hiring a car is a great way to travel around Iceland independently; it gives you the freedom to explore on your own terms.