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Iceland is Europe's second-biggest island, and it is one of the closest to the North Pole, nature here is crude, wild and raw. The sort of nature you can just find in spots like Iceland. Fortunately, traveling across the nation is anything but difficult to do!
The Ring Road is the primary and fundamental road that circles the island, and the most essential tourist spots are generally close by to this route. That’s why renting a car in Iceland and arranging a road trip is currently a trend among vacationers and travel lovers alike.
Before setting out yourself on a road trip in Iceland, it is crucial to know what driver's license requirements for Iceland rentals are there. Would your home country's driver’s license get the job done? Let’s find out!
Iceland Driving License Requirements
Most visitors will lease a vehicle in Iceland for their getaway, but there are several steps before hitting the road. Other than taking a gander at the ideal vehicle for the perfect excursion, you need to know beforehand what the conditions are set by car rental companies. Asking those questions right on the spot isn’t the best thing you can do, right?
License requirements
When it comes to nationalities, there are a plethora of options. Luckily, the driver's license requirements for car rentals in Iceland are somewhat simple. Most permits are valid in Iceland as long as they meet the following requirements:
- If not in English, it must be written in Latin letters in order as well: this applies to languages like Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, Russian and whatever other languages that use a different sort of alphabet.
- The driving license must have a photo of the driver.
- You should have held your license for one year at least. This period is tallied from the original issue date.
- It must have an issue and an expiry date. This way, the staff at the office can see it is a full driver's permit. Provisional ones are not acknowledged.
- The permit ought to be the equivalent of a European B License.
So, what is a European B License? You may inquire. Well, it is a permit that enables you to drive a passenger’s vehicle and a similar vehicle not heavier than 3500 kg. You can drive any van, camper, 2WD and four-wheel drive vehicle with this permit as long as the maximum weight limit is not exceeded.
Permanent vs temporary licenses
US, UK, and EU licenses are valid in Iceland. Drivers must hold the license for at least 1+ year. That's because In many countries, temporary licenses are handed out before providing a full one.
In Europe, if you have less than one year of driving experience, you are considered a novel driver. Your permit will then be a temporary one. So, as a driver's license requirement for Iceland rentals, many companies expect you to have held your permit for at least one year.
It is likewise imperative to know that most car rental agencies allude to the first issue date of your permit to see whether you have less than one year of driving experience or not. In Europe, if you renovate your permit, it still shows the original issue date. On the off chance that it isn't your case, you may need to bring along any official document where the first date shows up.
Documents needed when renting a car in Iceland
Making a road trip in the land of fire and ice is a lifetime dream for many. So, if you want to have a smooth experience, being aware of the driver's license requirements for Iceland rentals are becomes essential. Make sure you have the following documents when traveling to Iceland:
- A Credit Card
- ID or Passport
- Driver’s license / International driving permit (if applies)
Your permit can't expire while in Iceland, either. So, try to check both the issue and expiry date of your permit to see whether you have to renovate it. That will, without a doubt, help in staying away from any potential issue concerning the legitimacy of your permit. For some other special cases, do get in touch with us at info@reykjavikcars.com
Do you need an international driving license in Iceland?
A valid license with a number, photo, and Latin letters suffices for driving in Iceland. Otherwise, an international license is required. So, on the off chance that your driver's permit does not meet any of the requisites previously mentioned, you do require an international driving permit. Iceland driver's permit conditions are clear and rigid. Numerous insurance agencies only cover the driver in specific situations. So it is critical to have the correct documentation for a rental.
Know that an international driver’s license isn't a permit itself. It is an official translation of your permit into ten languages. This translation is acknowledged by most nations around the world, yet despite everything, you must carry your own driver's license alongside the international one. Else, it isn't valid.
In case you need an international permit, you have to apply for one at your nearby traffic administration authorities. In many nations, it is issued on the same day.
Age limit for driving in Iceland
Numerous travelers wonder if there is a minimum and maximum age limit as driver's license requirements for Iceland rentals. That highly depends on the vehicle. In the case of Reykjavik Cars, the minimum age is 20 years of age for most vehicles in our economy and city car rental category. If you intend to lease a large vehicle like our minivan and passenger van rentals or some of our largest SUVs, you should be at least 23 years of age.
There is no maximum age limit. If you hold a legitimate permit that meets most of the prerequisites referenced previously, you are qualified for any road drive in Iceland.
Hit the road!
As you can see, having the correct documents to drive an Icelandic vehicle isn't that complicated. Much of the time, you don't have to experience the troubles of getting a special, specific license or permit just to lease a vehicle.
In case most of the documents are all together, at that point, you should simply set up your road trip itinerary. Pick a vehicle out of our fleet of rental cars in Reykjavik and book your dream holidays in Iceland today! Once you touch base at the Keflavik International Airport, all you need to do is to have a fabulous time!
