We will be in touch. A man from the Czech Republic whom Erlingsson caught on Sunday complained that the fine was equivalent to his monthly salary and an Italian woman started to cry when she was told how much she had to pay. A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits. Pl us, a lthough the roads might seem empty at times, common sense applies. Hi there! The tourist driver ended up paying 150,000 ISK in total after his detected misdemeanor and paid both fines on the spot. All speeding fines are also updated and raised significantly. Animals should be taken into consideration. As an aside, a guide at the Tourist information in Hofn suggested i take the OXI road to Egilstaddir to shave 60km off my trip. When it comes to speeding fines if a police officer issued the fine on the spot, you can pay it immediately. I also thought it was kind of them to warn me about the speed camera because I actually had no idea Iceland had any! Even if you arent told you have a fine when you return your car, it does not mean you are in the clear. Some rental car companies charge a handling fee for this. We are quite sure you likely have a few. That is the question. But, on the same page from Trip Advisor about Icelandic fines, there is an ad explaining how to beat "speeding fines". This has led to headline-grabbing . The above are only general speed limits, some areas may have different conditions so always make sure to check what the signs indicate. But do you have to? A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits 3. 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. They said I had to pay. Airport and border. Car rental companies are required by law to give the authorities your details if you receive a speeding ticket whilst driving their cars. I was so nervous lol. Here is a short list of of speeding fines in Iceland and how they increase with the offence: 1. Icelandic roads are constructed differently to European and American ones - in rural areas they are surfaced with gravel so if you go around a bend too quickly you will have a serious accident. In the event of an accident every person (tourists included) are obliged by law to help and assist at the site of an accident - even if you are not directly involved. 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. Also, please remember that the speed limit is only an indicator of the maximum speed and so if road conditions change (i.e. Also, both officers were confused and initially said they dont know what other option I have. I was mostly concerned with the cameras. One individual who allegedly called theIcelandic police department spoke to a woman who saidnothing would happensince they are not a citizen of Iceland. Im cu, I Istanbul There are many speed bumps in Iceland. 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 get pulled over by the police, you have two options: Pay the fine upfront and receive a 25% discount off the fine. I'm so glad they are finally raising the fines. Its really up to you, but if you do, Im not even sure your credit card will take your side. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8240339', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland. Promise! 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. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close, 30-50 km/h in residential and areas with a considerable population, 80 km/h on roads formed of gravel outside cities, If you get pulled over, these are your 3 options, pay later once you get the ticket in the mail with no discount, dont pay, dispute and face repercussions, If you get a ticket in the mail you have 2 options, pay (paying within a given time limit grants a discount), 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. Wait to receive your ticket in the post and pay the fine with no discount. For example if you drive between 110-121 km you pay 80.000 isk and 60.000 isk with the 25% discount. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-95594839', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland a rip off for speeding fines! All rights reserved. However, driving in Iceland requires some more precautions compared to driving in other countries. You shouldnt have to pay your fine if they do not have any substantial, visible proof. The police, however, have in many cases had found it difficult to track down the correct addresses of the travelers in question. I can so relate to it. Extreme DUI (BAC 0.15% or higher) First Offense: No less than $2,500. Afterward, they gave me a copy of the ticket and receipt, wished me well, and warned me about the many speed cameras along the way towards Reykjavik. They will then charge your credit card and pay it off for you, adding an administration fee. Driving in Iceland is no different. This can be very hard for police officers to decipher. 50-60km/h zones. Your Guide to Driving in Iceland | adventures.com It would haunt me if I didnt. The requirement for tires isn't about whether they are winter or summer tires, instead, it's about the depth of the tires. Painful lesson learned as I was not aware the speeding fine was so eye wateringly steep in Iceland. 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. 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. How are speed limits controlled in Iceland? 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. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close. The speed limit on unpaved roadsis 80 km/hror 49 mph. I have a ticket in Maine from 2003not paid. 50/1987Here are the fees associated with these offenses: You will have different options depending on the type of ticket. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88000896', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland, as well as so many speed limit signs. F.e. 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). On the sixth day, driving between Hvammstangi and Arnarstapi, I saw a van with flashing lights driving towards me. Fine $460. If the road you sped on was absent of signs notifying you of speed limits. Just like there are speed cameras, there are also mobile cameras in cars. There is a VERY strong financial disincentive to pay this ticket. If its paid imediately upon receiving the fine, its 1400ISK (11USD). 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. 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. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. If for some reason you've entered the roundabout on the outside lane, but realize you don't need to exit immediately, then use your indicator to signal towards the inside lane - but do not switch lanes! 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. The fines for speeding are absolutely ludicrous. 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. Driving in Iceland can indeed be an exhilarating experience. There are police and speed cameras all over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I have this thing though where Im scared to do anything at all wrong in another country of this irrational fear theyll just kick me out haha which obviously wont happen If I did get a ticket Id for sure pay right away. ???? If you were a local (or European) you would be looking at 6 points on your license as well as the fine. The maximum speed on most paved roads outside of towns and villages in Iceland is 90 km/hr, which is 56 mph. Funny, I just got pulled over today a bit after Vik. This is the ultimate goal for me to get to Iceland. Ripped off? In some cases, you may need to appear in court. This is because the country wants to increase safety and not have any accidents. Get answers to your questions about Reykjavik, Taxi/Bus Costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik. This happens to my boyfriend almost every week ?? Subsequent cars should cross the bridge in a similar order as they arrived. I would love to travel to ???????? However, it's crucial that you understand some of the basic Icelandic driving rules in Iceland in order to keep you safe and cause as little disruption to the traffic as possible. Option 2: Wait to receive your ticket in the mail and pay the fine with no discount. There seems to be no evidence that unpaid speeding tickets are visible to immigration officials in any country. If you intend to drive in Iceland, its important you know the Iceland speed limits. Definitely 100% in the wrong. the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. USD 12.30) whereas larger transport vehicles and trucks are subject to an ISK 6,000 toll fee. If a speed camera snaps a shot of you, the Icelandic police trace the car back to the proper rental car company. The police will send the speeding ticket to the registered driver. We drove the ring road in 5 days, perhaps a bit too ambitiously. A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits. Speeding cameras have been installed along the highways all over the country. They have a brochurethat shows the maximum speed limits printed on the pages. I think I would freak if this happened to my, but thanks for keeping me educated!! He never paid it and they tracked him down a year later. When you get your speeding ticket in the post, make sure to pay it quickly because youll pay 25% less than waiting. Speed cameras in Iceland look like gray rectangles, with lenses on them. Below you will find a rough guide to speed limits in Iceland. In fact, you might be tempted to toss a parking ticket into your glove compartment and forget about it but if you give in to such temptation, you might face some consequences for giving in to such thought. Also, many tks for info about how they control tickets in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Naturally, I thought it was an ambulance so I pulled over. When you approach a roundabout, make sure you already know which exit you will be taking. Arizona Traffic Tickets & Violations | DMV.ORG 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. Fines for speeding are quite different from other offenses. From speeding 20 miles over the limit, to passing a stopped school bus, to failure to yield right of way, to having faulty brakes etc. Speeding fines in Iceland are very expensive. Fine $195. The more a driver is over the speed limit, the greater the number of fines they receive. By Option 1: Pay the fine then and there, and receive a 25% discount off your ticket. Of course you can appeal. 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. We appeal to peoples good conscience when other means at our disposal fail. Koreas new innovation strategy: Digital Platform Government, Here's why the world must collaborate on tech governance, Why fighting corruption is key to addressing the world's most pressing problems, This is why its crucial to track and preserve Ukraines cultural heritage, is affecting economies, industries and global issues, with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale. How would you spend your time in a self-driving car. Boy was I royaly ripped off! Image:REUTERS/Anton Vaganov. Verified Expert. 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. In certain cases, you may be able to dismiss the traffic ticket by completing a defensive driving course. Thats definitely the risk of not paying immediately. In Finland, speeding fines are linked to salary. Many people went to Trip Advisor and forums like Reddit for advice on whether or not they needed to pay their fines, which range anywhere between $100 USD and $1700 USD. While some tourists view it as very high, there are others who believe the fines are the same as every other country in Europe. In this post, we collected all the information and costs of violating the law. This was back in august, Today (December 7th) Some car rentals seem to have told motorists that they do not need to have a license plate on the front of the car. Hiring a car is a great way to travel around Iceland independently; it gives you the freedom to explore on your own terms. I am planning on going to Iceland next year, so this is a very important thing to note! Whichever car first arrives at a one-lane bridge has the right of way to cross. At no point was I doing in the 111-120, is there any degree of leniency? Proudly made in Reykjavk City. The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. The only problem is the roads look like this: and the speed limit is 90 km/h / 56 mph. Plus, there are signs that alert you when theres an upcoming speed camera (see photo). I trekked up the volcano there in October. The different speed limits in towns and out on the countryside are always well marked and needs to be followed. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8234223', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. Based on my research, it seems that if you dont ever plan on driving in Iceland again, you dont have to pay. peppinoss77 - US$ 200 = in round figures ISK 20.000 so that doesn't compute for 3kph over the speed limit - try entering a limit of 30kph and you'll find the lowest fine is ISK 5.000 at 36kph. Second/Subsequent Extreme DUI Offenses: No less than $3,250. Also, if you receive your ticket by mail, you might notice a new charge by your rental car company around 5000 ISK ($39 USD). For a 70kph limit fines begin at 76kph - try it! Driving in Iceland : Iceland Travel Guide : Nordic Visitor So always keep your eyes open for a speed change. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8224951', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland. The police vans have card readers so pay with either your Debit or Credit card. Flugvellir 20 230 Keflavik. Then the same procedure takes over as with parking offences in Reykjavik. If there's one thin, Top 5 Bars In Istanbul, Turkey | The Old City of Sultanahmet, The Best Day Trips From Nice | What To Do & How To Get There, An Epic 7-Day Scotland Road Trip Itinerary | Highland & Castles Edition, 5 Reasons Why You Should NOT Visit Santorini, What To See In Medieval Rhodes | Old Town Walking Tour, Staying At The Funky Loft In Brooklyn, NY, 12 Best Things To Do In Rio De Janeiro Brazil, Nour El Nil: Malouka | Nile Cruise Review, Hi, you wrote about Chichime, where the Kuna run a hostel for, Thanks for this information very useful but also proves what an increasingly, Please, utter rubbish. If you are unable to avoid getting a fine, then it may be possible for you to dispute it. 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. A study done by the University of Iceland found that there is an average of one speed bump every 20 meters in the country. Do you want to know more about this subject? The speed limit on the Highway 1 ring road is usually 90 km/h (56 mph). One thing to consider when you are driving in Iceland is the weather factor. Between April 15th - October 31st: Studded tires are prohibited and the, If you are in an accident or are on-site of an accident and individuals or animals, Emergency services (police, fire, and ambulance) Tel: 112, E.R Emergency Room Landsptali Hospital Tel:543-2000, Sjlfsbjrg (self-help) association for people with disabilities Tel:550-0300. Uk credits cards not working in Iceland ? Defensive Driving School | City of Tempe, AZ 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. Thanks for this article! Usually there is a discount if you pay quickly, but it should say that on the ticket. And not knowing the posted speedlimit isn't either Im guessing this was on the road between (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Please send us a line at icelandmag@365.is. It is known as a floating crosswalk! Use our "Jump to Chapter" if you want to get to some of the info quickly. Please check the following requirements: Between November 1st - April 14th: Studded tires are allowed but not compulsory. 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..). I know it's harsh but that's the way it works in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Yes, you should pay because you broke the law and it is the right things to do. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-88001538', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland and most of Europe. In both instances, your options are limited - see below. Apparently, its most difficult to collect fines from Russians or Chinesemotorists. Their advice should be taken seriously when driving there, as you can read below. Driving in Iceland | Visit Reykjavik To avoid speeding fines in Iceland, it is essential to know the speed limits. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Foreigners (tourists in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Should I dispute it when the credit card bill comes. Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed . If you want to fight your traffic ticket, you must plead "not guilty" in an Arizona court. 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. You shouldnt have to pay your fine if they do not have any substantial, visible proof. By law, the rental company must provide the police with your information. Just about everything now is considered "reckless driving". This sign means there is a one-way tunnel system ahead. The state of Virginia, faced with a similar situation has taken drastic measures, as of July 1, 2007, in an attempt to control the problem. Don't forget, Iceland is an island and if you ever want to leave, pay your fine and the next time obey the law. For many years Hvalfjrur Tunnel was subject to a fee, however, as of 2018, this tunnel is now toll-free. Thanks for sharing your experience!! Photo from the Reykjavk Police Instagram Account. - pay later once you get the ticket in the mail with no discount, - dont pay, dispute and face repercussions, - pay (paying within a given time limit grants a discount). The minimum depth of tires needs to be 3mm. The speeding ticket is then charged to your credit card by the booking agent. The crosswalk isnt really floating, of course, its just a painted optical illusion. They said ummm not sure how. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. in an hour for speeding, if you were speeding 3 times (or more!) If you are unsure then you should always stick to a slower speed. Car rental companies are required by law to give the authorities your details if you receive a speeding ticket whilst driving their cars. All Iceland campgrounds will be open and operate during Summer all over the country, including the remote highland area. If you are pulled over, you could be issued with a ticket immediately but if you are caught on a speed camera then the fine will come in the mail - this could take a number of weeks. Speeding fines in Iceland - Reykjavik Forum - Tripadvisor Follow the roundabout on the outside line whilst indicating towards the inside lane until you've reached your exit, at this point indicate towards your exit. If you get your ticket in the mail from a speed camera, you have two options. Speed limits are very much present and driving under the influence is a strict no-go. Watch Out For These New Speeding Ticket Scams - Forbes Please note that there have been some recent changes to the payable tolls for tunnels. Iceland has strict driving laws and huge fines. Speeding cameras are dotted around the country and speeding fines can range between ISK 5,000?70,000 (USD 45 to USD 575). There are a few roundabouts found around the country, many of them are when entering Reykjavik or other larger towns, like Akureyri. Its also an easy way to access remote areas of the country that are inaccessible by public transportation. Speeding & Parking offences in Iceland - GO Iceland