Road signs in Iceland
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
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.
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[]
A series[]
Dangerous bend to right
Dangerous bend to left
Dangerous bends, first to right
Dangerous bends, first to left
Dangerous intersection
Give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Dangerous intersection where traffic from side road must give way
Traffic circle
Children
Pedestrians
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Horse crossing
Horses
Cattle
Sheep
Reindeer
Cyclists
Road narrows on both sides
Road narrows on right hand side
Road narrows on left hand side
Roadworks
Steep hill downwards
Steep hill upwards
Uneven road
Speed reduction bump
Risk of falling rocks or avalanche from right
Risk of falling rocks or avalanche from left
Loose stones
Traffic lights
Low-flying aircraft
Two-way traffic
Tunnel
Slippery road
High road surface edge
Soft road shoulder
Gust of wind
Quayside
Other danger
Road grading
Risk of ice on road
B series[]
No vehicles
No entry
No motor vehicles
No motor vehicles except solo motorcycles, scooters or mopeds
No lorries
No buses or coaches
No tractors, off-road vehicles on wheels or motor propelled machinery
No motorcycles
No mopeds
No track-driven cross-country vehicles (snowmobiles / snowscooters)
No bicycles or mopeds
No horse riding
No pedestrians
Width limit
Length limit
Height limit
Total weight limit
Total weight limit of combination
Axle weight limit
Stop and give way
Stop checkpoint
Parking forbidden
Beginning of zone with parking restrictions
End of zone with parking restrictions
Stopping forbidden
Give way to oncoming traffic
Maximum speed limit in kilometres/hour
End of maximum speed limit
Beginning of zone with special speed limit
End of zone with special speed limit
No right turn
No left turn
No U-turn
No overtaking
No overtaking by lorries
End of prohibition on overtaking
End of prohibition on overtaking by lorries
End of restrictions
Minimum space between motor vehicles
Vehicles carrying dangerous goods prohibited
Transport of water-polluting substances prohibited
C series[]
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Direction of traffic / proceed in direction indicated by the arrow
Sign indicating traffic lane
Sign indicating traffic lane
Sign indicating traffic lane
Roundabout traffic
Cycles only
Pedestrian path
Cyclists and pedestrians only
Separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists
Path for riders
D series[]
Parking
Covered parking
Reserved parking place for disabled person's vehicle
Reserved parking place for specific vehicle used by disabled person
Parking place for buses
Pedestrian crossing
Priority road
End of priority road
Priority over approaching traffic
Place for allowing oncoming traffic to pass
One-way traffic
One-way traffic
No through road
Taxi rank
Bus stop
Bus terminal
Access for disabled people
Urban area
End of urban area
Traffic integration zone
End of traffic integration zone
Pedestrian underpass to the right
Pedestrian underpass to the left
Pedestrian overpass to the right
Pedestrian overpass to the left
Place for putting snow-chains on tyres
Toll road
Place for turning on right - Signs indicating large vehicles may be turned around, e.g. in tunnel. Further information is provided on an additional sign below.[1]
Place for turning on left - Signs indicating large vehicles may be turned around, e.g. in tunnel. Further information is provided on an additional sign below.[2]
Entrance to area
Exit from area
Maximum speeds
Traffic enforcement cameras
Parking place with charging station for electric cars
Parking place for ambulances
Parking place for passenger cars
Parking place for goods vehicles
Parking place for bicycles
Parking place for motorcycles
E series[]
First aid
Hospital
Police
Pharmacy
Emergency shelter
Emergency phone
Fire extinguisher
Information
Information booth
Phone
Restroom (water closet)
Outhouse
Water tank discharge
Town centre
Industrial area
Vacation houses[3]
Place of interest (indoors)[3]
Point of interest
Hiking trail
Picnic area
Viewpoint
Viewpoint with information
Rubbish bin
Rubbish container
Radio station/FM Frequency
Gasoline
Car mechanic
Tyre repair
Car rental
Coffee shop
Restaurant
Refreshments in private home
Hotel
Hostel (sleeping bags only)
Youth hostel
Rental cabin
Refuge hut
Campsite
Caravan park
Cooking facilities
Shower
Hot tub
Washing machine
Meeting facilities
Internet access
Swimming pool
Recreation centre
Sports field
Horse hire[3]
Horse track[3]
Horse stables[3]
Horsecart rental[3]
Fishing
Ocean fishing
Whale watching
Ski lift
Ski lift with chair
Cross-country ski area
Snowcat trips
Golf course
Shooting range[3]
Snowmobile rental
Water scooter rental
Bicycle rental
Boat rental
Water skiing
River rafting
Church
Cemetery
ATM
Bank
Post office
Tourist shop
Supermarket
Bakery
Food kiosk
Handicrafts
Greenhouse
Art gallery
Library
Aquarium
Domestic animal park
Dog hotel
Veterinarian
Music performance[3]
Ferry
Boat trips
Commercial harbour[3]
Airport
Airstrip
F series[]
Place direction[3]
Place name (e.g. a river)[3]
unnumbered road[3]
Abandoned farm[3]
County or municipal boundary sign[3]
Destination and distance (urban area)[3]
Destination and distance (rural area)[3]
Information on cycling path[3]
G series[]
Lane ends
H series[]
J series[]
When the "road condition" begins
On left
On right
On both sides
Extent of prohibition area[3]
Duration (timing) of prohibition[3]
Parking time limit[4]
Parking places, parallel to road[3]
Parking places, perpendicular to road[3]
Parking places, angled[3]
Handicapped parking[4]
Course of priority road at intersection[3]
Caution, Blind people[4]
Caution, Deaf people[4]
Weight limit[4]
Tow zone[4]
New road surface[4]
Unbridged river crossing[4]
Slow road: Driving is difficult but not impossible for non-4×4 cars[4]
Difficult road: 4×4 car required (these and "TORLEIÐI" are typically preceded with an F, e.g. F35)[4]
Mountain road: Extremely difficult terrain, even in 4×4s[4]
Blind hill[4]
Blind hills[4]
Area with higher accident risk[4]
One-lane road[4]
Start of gravel road, slow to 80 km/h (for the best conditions, vary by weather)
One-lane bridge[4]
One-lane tunnel
Stop ahead[4]
One-lane bridge (with length)[4]
Street running[4]
Old signs[]
References[]
- ^ "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland". carrentalss.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland". carrentalss.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Karlsson, Guðni (2021). Driving in Iceland. Netökuskólinn ehf. p. 165-172.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Traffic Signs and road markings in Iceland".
- Road signs by country
- Road transport in Iceland