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Road signs in Iceland

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A sign displaying the location of scattered farms and homesteads in a rural area of Iceland

Road signs in Iceland are visual communication devices placed along roads and highways throughout the country to provide information, warnings, and guidance to motorists and pedestrians. Iceland never ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, but road signs in Iceland conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries, with certain design elements borrowed from Danish and Swedish practice. Signs tend to be more sparsely employed than in other European countries, especially in rural areas.

Most road signs in Iceland are not retroreflective, making them harder to see at night.

Design

Distances and other measurements are displayed in metric units. All text within the main signs and on auxiliary signs is exclusively in Icelandic with very few exceptions.

Colours and shapes

Icelandic road signs most closely resemble their Swedish counterparts, with rounded corners and yellow backgrounds. However, there are many differences in detail, especially in the silhouettes used.

Shape and colour are used to indicate the function of signs:

Type of sign Shape Border Background colour Text/Symbol
Warning Triangular Red Yellow Black
Prohibition Circular Red Yellow Black
Mandatory instructions Circular White Blue White
Supplementary Rectangular White
Red		 Blue
Yellow		 White
Black
Directions, sometimes Rectangular Black Yellow Black
Information Rectangular White Blue White

Typeface

A version of the Transport typeface employed on road signs in the UK – modified to include accented characters and the Icelandic letters ð (eth) and þ (thorn) – is used on Icelandic road signs.

Gallery

The original legal source for these are the Icelandic Transport Authority, first ratified in article 289/1995 and subsequently amended in 2019 by 365/2019 and 548/2019.

Warning signs

  • Curve to right Curve to right
  • Curve to left Curve to left
  • Double curve first to right Double curve first to right
  • Double curve first to left Double curve first to left
  • Dangerous intersection Dangerous intersection
  • Yield Yield
  • Crossroad intersection with priority Crossroad intersection with priority
  • Skewed side junction on right with priority Skewed side junction on right with priority
  • Skewed side junction on left with priority Skewed side junction on left with priority
  • Side road junction on right with priority Side road junction on right with priority
  • Side road junction on left with priority Side road junction on left with priority
  • Offset road junction left right with priority Offset road junction left right with priority
  • Offset road junction right left with priority Offset road junction right left with priority
  • Roundabout ahead Roundabout ahead
  • School zone School zone
  • Pedestrians Pedestrians
  • Zebra crossing Zebra crossing
  • Equestrian Equestrian
  • Watch for (large) animals horses Watch for (large) animals horses
  • Watch for (large) animals cattle Watch for (large) animals cattle
  • Watch for (large) animals sheep Watch for (large) animals sheep
  • Watch for (large) animals reindeer Watch for (large) animals reindeer
  • Bike crossing Bike crossing
  • Road narrows on both sides Road narrows on both sides
  • Road narrows on right hand side Road narrows on right hand side
  • Road narrows on left hand side Road narrows on left hand side
  • Workers ahead Workers ahead
  • Steep descent Steep descent
  • Steep ascent Steep ascent
  • Bumpy road Bumpy road
  • Bump Bump
  • Risk of rockfalls or avalanche Risk of rockfalls or avalanche
  • Risk of rockfalls or avalanche Risk of rockfalls or avalanche
  • Loose gravel Loose gravel
  • Traffic lights Traffic lights
  • Low-flying aircraft Low-flying aircraft
  • Two-way traffic Two-way traffic
  • Tunnel ahead Tunnel ahead
  • Road slippery when wet Road slippery when wet
  • Dangerous shoulder Dangerous shoulder
  • Unstable shoulder Unstable shoulder
  • Risk of strong crosswinds Risk of strong crosswinds
  • Harbour ahead without barriers Harbour ahead without barriers
  • General warning/caution General warning/caution
  • Road grading Road grading
  • Risk of ice on road Risk of ice on road

Prohibitory signs

  • Closed to all vehicles Closed to all vehicles
  • Prohibited entry (from this direction) Prohibited entry (from this direction)
  • All motor vehicles prohibited entry All motor vehicles prohibited entry
  • Cars prohibited entry Cars prohibited entry
  • Trucks prohibited entry Trucks prohibited entry
  • Buses prohibited entry Buses prohibited entry
  • Tractors prohibited entry Tractors prohibited entry
  • Motorbikes prohibited entry Motorbikes prohibited entry
  • Mopeds prohibited entry Mopeds prohibited entry
  • Snowmobiles prohibited entry Snowmobiles prohibited entry
  • Bikes prohibited entry Bikes prohibited entry
  • Equestrian prohibited entry Equestrian prohibited entry
  • Pedestrians prohibited entry Pedestrians prohibited entry
  • Width limit Width limit
  • Length limit Length limit
  • Height limit Height limit
  • Total weight limit Total weight limit
  • Total weight limit of combination Total weight limit of combination
  • Axle weight limit Axle weight limit
  • Mandatory stop Mandatory stop
  • Stop for checkpoint Stop for checkpoint
  • Parking prohibited Parking prohibited
  • Beginning of zone with parking restrictions Beginning of zone with parking restrictions
  • End of zone with parking restrictions End of zone with parking restrictions
  • Stopping prohibited Stopping prohibited
  • Yield to oncoming traffic Yield to oncoming traffic
  • Maximum speed limit in kilometres/hour Maximum speed limit in kilometres/hour
  • End of maximum speed limit End of maximum speed limit
  • Beginning of zone with special speed limit Beginning of zone with special speed limit
  • End of zone with special speed limit End of zone with special speed limit
  • Right turn prohibited Right turn prohibited
  • Left turn prohibited Left turn prohibited
  • U-turn prohibited U-turn prohibited
  • Overtaking prohibited Overtaking prohibited
  • Overtaking by trucks prohibited Overtaking by trucks prohibited
  • End of prohibition on overtaking End of prohibition on overtaking
  • End of prohibition on overtaking by trucks End of prohibition on overtaking by trucks
  • National speed limit applies (rural: 90 km/h) National speed limit applies (rural: 90 km/h)
  • Minimum space between motor vehicles Minimum space between motor vehicles
  • Vehicles carrying dangerous goods prohibited entry Vehicles carrying dangerous goods prohibited entry
  • Transport of water-polluting substances prohibited entry Transport of water-polluting substances prohibited entry

Mandatory signs

  • Go right Go right
  • Go left Go left
  • Go straight Go straight
  • Turn right Turn right
  • Turn left Turn left
  • U-turn U-turn
  • Turn right or straight Turn right or straight
  • Turn left or straight Turn left or straight
  • Turn left or right Turn left or right
  • Keep right Keep right
  • Keep left Keep left
  • Pass either on side Pass either on side
  • Roundabout Roundabout
  • Bikes only Bikes only
  • Pedestrian path Pedestrian path
  • Bikes and pedestrians only Bikes and pedestrians only
  • Separate lanes for pedestrians and bikes Separate lanes for pedestrians and bikes
  • Path for riders Path for riders

Information signs

  • Parking zone Parking zone
  • Covered parking zone Covered parking zone
  • Reserved parking place for handicapped vehicle Reserved parking place for handicapped vehicle
  • Reserved parking place for specific vehicle used by handicapped person Reserved parking place for specific vehicle used by handicapped person
  • Parking zone for buses Parking zone for buses
  • Parking zone for trucks Parking zone for trucks
  • Parking zone for cars Parking zone for cars
  • Parking zone with charging station for electric cars Parking zone with charging station for electric cars
  • Parking zone for carvans Parking zone for carvans
  • Parking zone for ambulances Parking zone for ambulances
  • Parking zone for bikes Parking zone for bikes
  • Parking zone for motorbikes Parking zone for motorbikes
  • Zebra crossing/Crosswalk Zebra crossing/Crosswalk
  • Main road (priority) Main road (priority)
  • End of main road (priority) End of main road (priority)
  • Priority over approaching traffic Priority over approaching traffic
  • Place for allowing oncoming traffic to pass Place for allowing oncoming traffic to pass
  • One-way traffic One-way traffic
  • One-way traffic One-way traffic
  • Dead end Dead end
  • Taxi rank Taxi rank
  • Bus stop Bus stop
  • Bus terminal Bus terminal
  • Handicapped Handicapped
  • Urban area Urban area
  • End of urban area End of urban area
  • Living street (pedestrian priority, 15 km/h) Living street (pedestrian priority, 15 km/h)
  • End of living street End of living street
  • Pedestrian underpass to the right Pedestrian underpass to the right
  • Pedestrian underpass to the left Pedestrian underpass to the left
  • Pedestrian overpass to the right Pedestrian overpass to the right
  • Pedestrian overpass to the left Pedestrian overpass to the left
  • Zone for putting snow-chains on tyres Zone for putting snow-chains on tyres
  • Toll road Toll road
  • Turnaround space for large vehicles on right (tunnel) Turnaround space for large vehicles on right (tunnel)
  • Turnaround space for large vehicles on left (tunnel) Turnaround space for large vehicles on left (tunnel)
  • Entrance to area Entrance to area
  • Exit from area Exit from area
  • Maximum speeds Maximum speeds
  • Traffic enforcement cameras Traffic enforcement cameras

Service signs

  • Emergency service Emergency service
  • Hospital or medical centre Hospital or medical centre
  • Police station Police station
  • Pharmacy Pharmacy
  • Emergency shelter Emergency shelter
  • Emergency phone Emergency phone
  • Fire extinguisher Fire extinguisher
  • Information Information
  • Information booth Information booth
  • Public telephone Public telephone
  • Public lavatory Public lavatory
  • Outhouse Outhouse
  • Waste tank discharge Waste tank discharge
  • Town centre Town centre
  • Industrial place Industrial place
  • Vacation houses Vacation houses
  • Place of interest (indoors) Place of interest (indoors)
  • Point of interest Point of interest
  • Hiking trail Hiking trail
  • Picnic site Picnic site
  • Viewpoint Viewpoint
  • Viewpoint with information Viewpoint with information
  • Rubbish bin Rubbish bin
  • Rubbish container Rubbish container
  • Radio station/FM Frequency Radio station/FM Frequency
  • Petrol station Petrol station
  • Garage/Repair shop Garage/Repair shop
  • Tyre repair Tyre repair
  • Cars rental Cars rental
  • Refreshments shop Refreshments shop
  • Restaurants shop Restaurants shop
  • Restaurant in private home Restaurant in private home
  • Hotel Hotel
  • Hostel (sleeping bags only) Hostel (sleeping bags only)
  • Youth hostel Youth hostel
  • Rental cabin Rental cabin
  • Refuge hut Refuge hut
  • Campsite Campsite
  • Caravan park Caravan park
  • Cooking facilities Cooking facilities
  • Shower Shower
  • Hot tub Hot tub
  • Laundry facilities Laundry facilities
  • Meeting facilities Meeting facilities
  • Internet access Internet access
  • Swimming pool Swimming pool
  • Recreation centre Recreation centre
  • Sports field Sports field
  • Horse hire Horse hire
  • Horse track Horse track
  • Horse stables Horse stables
  • Horsecart rental Horsecart rental
  • Fishing Fishing
  • Ocean fishing Ocean fishing
  • Whale watching Whale watching
  • Ski lift Ski lift
  • Ski lift with chair Ski lift with chair
  • Cross-country ski area Cross-country ski area
  • Snowcat trips Snowcat trips
  • Golf course Golf course
  • Shooting range Shooting range
  • Snowmobile rental Snowmobile rental
  • Water scooter rental Water scooter rental
  • Bike rental Bike rental
  • Boat rental Boat rental
  • Water skiing Water skiing
  • River rafting River rafting
  • Church Church
  • Cemetery Cemetery
  • ATM ATM
  • Bank Bank
  • Post office Post office
  • Tourist shop Tourist shop
  • Supermarket Supermarket
  • Bakery Bakery
  • Food kiosk Food kiosk
  • Handicrafts Handicrafts
  • Greenhouse Greenhouse
  • Ice cream shop Ice cream shop
  • Art gallery Art gallery
  • Library Library
  • Aquarium Aquarium
  • Livestock animals park Livestock animals park
  • Dog hotel Dog hotel
  • Veterinarian Veterinarian
  • Music venue Music venue
  • Ferry Ferry
  • Boat trips Boat trips
  • Commercial harbour Commercial harbour
  • Fishing harbour Fishing harbour
  • Airport Airport
  • Aerodrome/Airstrip Aerodrome/Airstrip

Route and direction signs

Directional signs within the urban Capital Region of Iceland (including Reykjavík and its surrounding areas) have a blue on white design. Outside the Capital Region, signs are generally black on yellow.

  • Route direction Route direction
  • Route direction without number Route direction without number
  • Turn off (a) within the Capital Region Turn off (a) within the Capital Region
  • Turn off (b) Turn off (b)
  • Turn off to place of interest, airport, harbour, public building or other place of service Turn off to place of interest, airport, harbour, public building or other place of service
  • Notice of destination ahead Notice of destination ahead
  • Exit lane (a) within the Capital Region Exit lane (a) within the Capital Region
  • Exit lane (b) Exit lane (b)
  • Destination ahead (a) with distances within the Capital Region Destination ahead (a) with distances within the Capital Region
  • Destination ahead (b) with distances (rural) Destination ahead (b) with distances (rural)
  • Destination ahead per lane Destination ahead per lane
  • Destination ahead and map (a) within the Capital Region Destination ahead and map (a) within the Capital Region
  • Destination ahead and map (b) Destination ahead and map (b)
  • Lane direction sign within the Capital Region Lane direction sign within the Capital Region
  • Destination ahead with route numbers (b) Destination ahead with route numbers (b)
  • Place (turn off) Place (turn off)
  • Place name (e.g. a river) Place name (e.g. a river)
  • Street or road name Street or road name
  • House numbers House numbers
  • Road number Road number
  • Road number (approach) Road number (approach)
  • Unnumbered road Unnumbered road
  • Abandoned farm Abandoned farm
  • County or municipal boundary sign County or municipal boundary sign
  • Beginning of the municipality Beginning of the municipality
  • Destination and distance (urban area, except Capital Region) Destination and distance (urban area, except Capital Region)
  • Destination and distance (rural area) Destination and distance (rural area)
  • Information signs Information signs
  • Information of bike path Information of bike path
  • Information on bike path Information on bike path

Direction signs

  • Reduction of available lanes (option 1) Reduction of available lanes (option 1)
  • Reduction of available lanes (option 2) Reduction of available lanes (option 2)
  • Approach Lane merges right Approach Lane merges right
  • Use of lanes at an intersection Use of lanes at an intersection
  • Lane markings Lane markings
  • Lane directions and restriction (bus lane on right) Lane directions and restriction (bus lane on right)
  • Lane directions and reccomendation (heavy vehicles on right) Lane directions and reccomendation (heavy vehicles on right)
  • Sign showing number of lanes on road to be entered Sign showing number of lanes on road to be entered
  • Direction signs Direction signs
  • Direction signs Direction signs
  • Direction signs Direction signs
  • Direction signs Direction signs
  • Direction signs Direction signs

Temporary signs

  • Temporary traffic restriction notice (construction) Temporary traffic restriction notice (construction)

Additional signs

  • When the "road condition" begins When the "road condition" begins
  • On left On left
  • On right On right
  • On both sides On both sides
  • Extended Extended
  • Extended indication on the left Extended indication on the left
  • Extended indication on the right Extended indication on the right
  • Extent of prohibition area Extent of prohibition area
  • Duration (timing) of prohibition Duration (timing) of prohibition
  • Parking time limit Parking time limit
  • Parking places, parallel to road Parking places, parallel to road
  • Parking places, perpendicular to road Parking places, perpendicular to road
  • Parking places, angled Parking places, angled
  • Distance Distance
  • Handicapped parking Handicapped parking
  • Arrow right Arrow right
  • Turn left Turn left
  • Turn right Turn right
  • Arrow direction Arrow direction
  • Arrow left Arrow left
  • Course of priority road at intersection Course of priority road at intersection
  • Course of the priority road Course of the priority road
  • Course of the priority road Course of the priority road
  • Caution, Blind people Caution, Blind people
  • Caution, Deaf people Caution, Deaf people
  • Weight limit Weight limit
  • Tow zone Tow zone
  • New road surface New road surface
  • Unbridged river crossing Unbridged river crossing
  • Slow road: Driving is difficult but not impossible for non-4×4 cars Slow road: Driving is difficult but not impossible for non-4×4 cars
  • Difficult road: 4×4 car required (these and "TORLEIÐI" are typically preceded with an F, e.g. F35) Difficult road: 4×4 car required (these and "TORLEIÐI" are typically preceded with an F, e.g. F35)
  • Mountain road: Extremely difficult terrain, even in 4×4s Mountain road: Extremely difficult terrain, even in 4×4s
  • Blind hill Blind hill
  • Blind hills ahead (multiple) Blind hills ahead (multiple)
  • Area with higher accident risk Area with higher accident risk
  • Single-lane paving (unpaved shoulders) Single-lane paving (unpaved shoulders)
  • Start of gravel road, slow to 80 km/h (for the best conditions, vary by weather) Start of gravel road, slow to 80 km/h (for the best conditions, vary by weather)
  • One-lane bridge One-lane bridge
  • One-lane tunnel One-lane tunnel
  • Stop ahead Stop ahead
  • One-lane bridge (with width) One-lane bridge (with width)
  • Running event on road (temporary) Running event on road (temporary)

Old signs

  • Warning (1949-1975) Warning (1949-1975)
  • Stop (1956-1975) Stop (1956-1975)
  • Prohibited parking (1937-1969) Prohibited parking (1937-1969)
  • Stop (1945-1956) Stop (1945-1956)

Traffic lights

  • Red traffic lights Red traffic lights
  • Red amber traffic lights Red amber traffic lights
  • Green traffic lights Green traffic lights
  • Amber traffic lights Amber traffic lights

External links

Traffic signs
Signs
Priority signs
Vienna Convention Groups
By country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America
Former countries
Lights
Typefaces
International conventions
National standards
Comparisons
Road signs in Europe
Sovereign states
States with limited
recognition
Dependencies and
other entities

References

  1. https://www.samgongustofa.is/
  2. https://www.samgongustofa.is/media/log-og-reglur-i-umferdarmalum/289_1995-Reglugerd-um-umferdarmerki-og-notkun-theirra-nr_289_1995-20130625.pdf
  3. https://www.stjornartidindi.is/Advert.aspx?RecordID=3f94b8e1-8912-4640-a8ae-ac40d840b96d
  4. https://www.stjornartidindi.is/Advert.aspx?RecordID=c3b9b11b-b3bc-4667-bfeb-5030395dcba9
  5. "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland". carrentalss.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  6. "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland". carrentalss.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  7. ^ Karlsson, Guðni (2021). Driving in Iceland. Netökuskólinn ehf. p. 165-172.
  8. ^ "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland".
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