Girl I know the feeling!! If you get a speeding ticket in Iceland, you have a few options when it comes to paying. I got in touch with the dutch police via their facebook page and decided to pay it before late fees started to accrue. Apparently, its most difficult to collect fines from Russians or Chinesemotorists. I think I would freak if this happened to my, but thanks for keeping me educated!! 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. Earlier this year penalties for speeding were stiffened. These are bridges where only one car will fit at a time. 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. Don't worry, it might sound more stressful than it really is. In this post, we collected all the information and costs of violating the law. Yikes! The main reason for high fines in Iceland is that us locals can be driving fiends, and often pay little attention to road conditions. (70km zone), Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. Thats definitely the risk of not paying immediately. Image:REUTERS/Anton Vaganov. The Iceland ring road speed limit is 90km/h, but some parts are graveled and the spend limit will be lower. This was back in august, Today (December 7th) more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. There are many speed bumps in Iceland. It would haunt me if I didnt. All Iceland campgrounds will be open and operate during Summer all over the country, including the remote highland area. So, if you do get tickets, then as most Icelandic guides will humorously tell you: "Smile and Pay Up" (well, you really dont have to complain much for your negligence) you violated the traffic law, you got caught so your speed fine is your punishment. Tip: Automatic speed-surveillance cameras are notoriously inaccurate. 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 did not pay, and will never go back. Their advice should be taken seriously when driving there, as you can read below. While some tourists view it as very high, there are others who believe the fines are the same as every other country in Europe. Its also an easy way to access remote areas of the country that are inaccessible by public transportation. Pl us, a lthough the roads might seem empty at times, common sense applies. There are Iceland police everywhere keeping watch of car speed in the cities and not to forget the speed cameras on the roads. 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. That way you will probably get a 2-week period where the fine lowers by 30% or so. They can range anywhere from $200 to $700. Impressive. Figured it would be helpful for the other poor souls who get one. They are on average 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) long with the longest stretching over 9 kilometers (5.5 miles). If you want to fight your traffic ticket, you must plead "not guilty" in an Arizona court. Driving in a foreign country can be exciting, stressful and educational. People driving without license plates Do you take any authorization on my credit card? The police vans have card readers so pay with either your Debit or Credit card. 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. In hindsight, it was terrible advice to have given. Parking in Reykjavik is the same as parking in any other European capital. Theres also an insufficient number ofofficers. - 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). 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 biggest challenge with tunnels is quickly adapting to the darkness when entering the tunnel and with the brightness when leaving. News from Iceland, What to do and see, local travel tips and expertise. They also warned me on the letters that they would make efforts to collect their money if I didnt pay. Dining in Paris Many get high fines, long after they have left the country, collected with the aid of the authorities in their country. If you have an experience receiving a speeding ticket in Iceland or any foreign country, let me know how you handledthe situation in the comments below. If you intend to drive in Iceland, its important you know the Iceland speed limits. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. This is not true, however, as there is a 10,000 ISK fine (75 USD/68 EUR) for driving with only one license plate. Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Sweden has a plan to end all traffic accident deaths, Technology could make traffic jams a thing of the past. If they cant providethat proof, you shouldnt have to pay. Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. 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). Fine $195. Yes, you should pay because you broke the law and it is the right things to do. Just remember that speed limits are there for your protection. Frankly, single car road accidents are very common in Iceland, and are really frowned upon, as they are almost always the driver's fault. Car rental companies are required by law to give the authorities your details if you receive a speeding ticket whilst driving their cars. Great way to tick off the tourists spending big in your country. 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. A vehicle over 3.5000 kg is driving over the legal limits 3. I was so nervous lol. Are you saying that when you pay a speeding ticket it should allow you to speed elsewhere for a certain time period before and after that time period? 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. The floating crosswalk was thought up by town environmental commissioner Ralf Trylla. Blikavellir, KEF International Airport (Iceland). Simple. These are internationally acceptable signs just like you have in any European country. Speed cameras in Iceland look like gray rectangles, with lenses on them. (50-60km zones), Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed. Option 1: Pay the fine. For parking tickets left on the windshield, you can simply walk into any bank, wait your turn, and pay your ticket. There have been few incidents in the past where people have hired rental cars, travelled, then returned home, and the weeks later they get a mail request to pay fines in Iceland. Then the same procedure takes over as with parking offences in Reykjavik. This article will prove helpful if you want to avoid getting speeding tickets on your visit to Iceland. 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. By going over the speed limit, of course. I dont know why we arent broke already haha. Driving 41km/h or faster over allowed top speed . To make your life easier, we have put together a summary of everything you need to know when it comes to Icelandic traffic laws. The Icelandic road system is unique and drivers must be aware of both on-road and off-road conditions. How do I pay my speeding fine in Iceland? 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. You can pay with credit card, on the spot. It has proven particularly difficult to collect fines from Russian and Chinese motorists. Please check the following requirements: Between November 1st - April 14th: Studded tires are allowed but not compulsory. How nice of them! Each time you break the law you risk getting caught breaking the law and having to pay the price. On the same trip, I saw the northern lights. could easily be sourced from the fine - so it could be easier for the Iceland government to continue to provide excellent service to its people and visitors when such fines are paid. I honestly think with the huge increase of tourism in Iceland, they will start tracking down on unpaid fines and tickets to foreigners. A study done by the University of Iceland found that there is an average of one speed bump every 20 meters in the country. You may have noticed as you drive around Iceland, especially outside of Reykjavik, there are not a lot of police. Knowing the driving rules in Iceland will help to keep you safe from harm and from expensive fines! In March 2018, I went on a 7-day road trip around Icelands Ring Road where I drove a total of 967.7 miles. Then because people lose control when roads changes suddenly from tarmac to gravel. 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. well written blog btw, Im enjoying reading what you have to say and thoroughly enjoyed this particular post. I also thought it was kind of them to warn me about the speed camera because I actually had no idea Iceland had any! They can also go to the website of Blastasjur and see pictures of the car. The cost of a speeding ticket varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. Fines for off-road driving are significant, a group of four French tourists was given an ISK 400,000 fine for off-road driving. 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. NOTE: In addition to paying these fines, expect to face jail time, community service, alcohol programs, ignition interlock systems, and/or license suspension or revocation. Don't speed in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ill keep it short and simple. Considering it was 11pm, it may have been one of the most frightening experiences of my life, especially when it started to rain near the top. Pedestrians crossing a zebra crossing, that has no lights, always have the right of way. 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. Parking works differently in Akureyri. 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. Luckily, there are plenty of traffic signs around to remind you at which speed you should be driving. We appeal to peoples good conscience when other means at our disposal fail. The police will send the speeding ticket to the registered driver. When you approach a roundabout, make sure you already know which exit you will be taking. Speed cameras are all over Iceland to catch drivers breaking the speed limit. That fee is 2500ISK (20USD). Speeding Fines Simplified for Tourists. Most likely when you receive your ticket in the mail from an Iceland speed camera,they offer a 25% discount if you pay within a certain amount of time. Basically, when encountering another car, whoever has the parking space on their right needs to use it to let the other pass. 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 lived in Iceland for a while and got one for $500 :/ made sure to not speed again after that one!! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-8636517', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Iceland, it's possibly one of the more beautiful places on the planet. I believe that most would agree with me that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If the clock is missing or the parking exceeds the allowed time, one can expect a parking fee. 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. However, rules and regulations may vary from one country to another, so it is important to know the rules so you can be safe and avoid fines when driving in Iceland. Parking and camping outside of designated camping zones in Iceland are illegal. It goes up to 30.000ISK (230USD) after 14 days and after 28 days to 40.000ISK (307USD), Blastasjur who takes care of the parking system in Reykjavik sends an E-mail to the main office of Go Iceland Car Rental with all the detail of the offence.The staff finds out who was renting the car and sends information to the driver of the car. Our major roads are getting filled with little signs the authorities are putting up at the spot of fatalities, I recently counted 19 of these signs, all within ten minutes of my home. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. Flugvellir 20 230 Keflavik. The best way to avoid getting a speeding ticket in Iceland is always to drive safely and according to driving laws and posted signs along your route. 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. 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. 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! Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. If it was, say, <$150, people would be more likely to pay out of conscience or concern for a return trip to the country. And most of these accidents are caused by speeding. Speeding is a common offence that people visiting Iceland get fined for, and the fines are costly. Take your time and enjoy the ride! http://www.sjova.is/files/2007_8_1_messageFromThePolice.jpg. If you get pulled over by the police (like me), you have three options. The location of speed cameras in Iceland vary, as they may often be mounted in a parked patrol vehicle on the side of the road. This is totally your choice to make. When it comes to speeding fines if a police officer issued the fine on the spot, you can pay it immediately. There seems to be no evidence that unpaid speeding tickets are visible to immigration officials in any country. However, most of the speeding cameras are located in the south part of Iceland which has fewer police patrols. I can so relate to it. Would have never expected a full blown article on speeding ticket but this sure is helpful. All speeding fines are also updated and raised significantly. I received an email indicating i have to pay two more speeding fines that range each from 500-700$ for speeding camera radars from 2:31am and 2:52am on the same highway. 2023 by Reykjavk Cars Booking Office. the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. In some cases, you may need to appear in court. If its unpaid after 14 days, the fee goes up to 3750ISK (29USD). If someone parks on a parking space marked for handicapped individuals, the fine is 20.000ISK (154USD). The first one is the ordinary parking fine when a driver has not paid for the full time or not paid at all to park on an ordinary parking space. Get answers to your questions about Reykjavik, Taxi/Bus Costs from KEF Airport to Reykjavik. Traffic on roads that are shown the "Yellow Diamond" sign has the right of way. This has led to headline-grabbing . Most of them seemed to be unaware of the speed limits and found the amount they had to pay very upsetting, according to Hskuldur Erlingsson, duty officer in Blndus, in an interview with Morgunbladid. 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) Totally freaked me out, girl! We got a ticket for wrong parking (duh) in Spain. 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. Thx to the rental company for not giving us a heads up on a rediculous fee system. However, as in every country, you need to keep to the regulated speed limit and Iceland is no different. Scandinavian Travel Services ehf. What do you do if you get a speeding ticket in Iceland? Do I have to have international driving license? Find Iceland Car rental at Reykjavik KEF airport. It is known as a floating crosswalk! Like nearly $500 for 11 km/h (6.7 mph) over on a road like that. This new breed of crosswalk appears to be floating up and off the road, which. 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. Driving in Iceland is no different. Other speeding limits that are important to note: If you rent a car in Iceland then you won't have to worry about tires, as your rental company should have you covered with what you need. All rights reserved. Speeding fines in Iceland are very expensive. 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. I hope everyone is keeping safe with the current happenings in our world. This article will prove helpful if you want to avoid getting speeding tickets on your visit to Iceland. Speed bumps are used to slow down cars. The minimum depth of tires needs to be 3mm. Also, both officers were confused and initially said they dont know what other option I have. I decided to pay the ticket immediately using my credit card. ???? Police have trouble read Cyrillic and non-Latin alphabets It can be difficult to determine at times as to where you are allowed or not allowed to part but there always are traffic signs informing the driver of the rules and obligations surrounding parking. 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. If you decided not to pay, the Icelandic police will probably not do much as contacting an international booking agency to force you to pay (when you must have returned to your home country) because of the high cost that might likely be involved in persecuting such an offense. Promise! The floating crosswalk is not the usual method of tackling speeding in Iceland, but its definitely the most inventive! Some are known to just tear up the citation as soon as the officer is out of sight. It actually ruined my entire day but its all okay now (8 months later haha). I just returned from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? One of the things that you need to be extremely careful with is Iceland's population of over 800,000 wandering sheep. The different speed limits in towns and out on the countryside are always well marked and needs to be followed. The good thing is that, on almost all the roads in Iceland, there are ample signs with the speed limits. What do you think? Here's a short summary for you. This sign means there is a one-way tunnel system ahead. One woman lost $3,000 to a scammer who used the names of real police officers to rip her . a fine for speaking on mobile while driving is raised from 25.000 to 40.000 ISK (from about 250 USD to 400 USD). If you are planning to rent a car in Iceland and go on a self-drive tour, but are not too sure of the signs, here are some frequently asked questions on speeding fines in Iceland in case you got on the wrong side of the traffic law: If you are caught violating the speed limit Either: 1. It is indeed a good idea to first understand the traffic law of any country you are visiting if you intend to drive around. On open roads the speed limit varies too; on gravel roads the speed limit is 80km/h, on asphalt roads the speed limit is 90km/h. The same applies to parking tickets sent by the police to the car owner. Answer 1 of 38: Hello, I am just curious as to what the speeding penalties are for a British tourist in Iceland? Driving 36km/h or faster over allowed top speed. 2006-2023 All copyright reserved on photos and content, This website uses cookies to help you browse on the website/ web. The cost of a speeding ticket in Iceland varies according to many factors; such as the speed you are driving. With insufficient resources police relies on people's good conscience. Paid a 500$ish tickets by a police cruiser that picked me up on radar. Uk credits cards not working in Iceland ? Hi. You do not indicate when you enter the roundabout, instead, you need to indicate when you are leaving it. They believe that if you dont pay the fine, then dont return. I did get stopped here in NZ because my car wasnt up to date with these specific inspections Luckily I got a warning and just had to get the inspection done and passed then send it to the police. They also got my address from the driver license. Here is a table showing how much you are likely to pay when you violate any of the speed limits: Here is another tricky part of yourtraveling to Icelandthe Iceland parking fines! 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. Option 1: Pay the fine then and there, and receive a 25% discount off your ticket. The police, however, have in many cases had found it difficult to track down the correct addresses of the travelers in question. The driver has then a chance to pay the fine but if that is not done, Go Iceland Car Rental pays the fine and withdraws that sum from the drivers credit plus a 5000ISK handling fee as stipulated in the rental contract (see above). For example if you drive between 110-121 km you pay 80.000 isk and 60.000 isk with the 25% discount. Some signs are digital and will measure your speed as you pass by. Keep your eyes peel at all times. 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. The largest selection of Car Rentals in Iceland. So be safe by going the speed limit to prevent an accident, injury, or even death. 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. Funny, I just got pulled over today a bit after Vik. Definitely not gonna pay one in another countrylol, Iceland is wonderful for mountain lovers. Some car rentals seem to have told motorists that they do not need to have a license plate on the front of the car. We are quite sure you likely have a few. Although it is unlikely, errors can occur, so if you get fined, remember to check all the details before paying. By using the website you agree on our policy on cookies.Close. 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. There are varying opinions based on the speed fines in Iceland. 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. The digital screen will display your speed, and if youre under the limit youll be rewarded with a smiley face. One thing to consider when you are driving in Iceland is the weather factor. Speeding fines in Iceland are very expensive. Seriously, insane! I guess we just can't win. And I said well I dont have enough $ on my CC now and leaving Iceland tomorrow. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. I wish the fines were at least double what they are. It is rumored that some of these also work as speed cameras. The crosswalk isnt really floating, of course, its just a painted optical illusion. Wait to receive your ticket in the post and pay the fine with no discount. I live inCentral Florida and with 47 million visitors a year, speeding and reckless driving is a major problem. A car pulling any type of trailer is driving over the legal limits.
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