Know Before You Go: Iceland

The laws, local rules, safety tips, and cultural things I’d want to know before landing

For Iceland, this is much more about driving and outdoor safety than random legal rules.

Because if you are renting a car like we did, this is the stuff that actually matters.

Check Road + Weather Conditions Every Day

Icelandic weather can change fast, and SafeTravel specifically warns that road and weather conditions may be very different from what visitors are used to.

Before driving anywhere, I would check:

• Weather

• Road conditions

• Wind

• Closures

• Daylight

• Alerts for the area

Especially in September, conditions can shift quickly.

Do Not Stop in the Road for a Photo

I get it.

Iceland will make you want to pull over every five minutes.

That is exactly what happened to us.

But SafeTravel specifically warns travelers not to stop in the roadway or on an unsafe shoulder just to take pictures.

Find a legitimate pull-off.

Then get the shot.

Seatbelts Are Required

Everyone in the vehicle is required to wear a seatbelt, including passengers in the back.

F-Roads Are Different

If you see an F-road, do not just assume your rental car can handle it.

Highland roads can involve rough surfaces, steep terrain, and even unbridged river crossings. SafeTravel notes that some require larger 4WD vehicles and are completely different from normal road driving.

Check your rental agreement before going anywhere near one.

Respect Closures

If a road, trail, or area is closed, there is usually a reason.

Current Iceland safety alerts can include hiking hazards, volcanic activity, weather, and road conditions.

This is not the trip to decide:

“I think we can make it.”

Download SafeTravel

This is one app I would actually recommend.

It provides alerts and travel-condition information, and hikers can share GPS location information with emergency services.

💡 SHANE’S TIP

Renting a car was one of the best things we did in Iceland.

It gave us freedom.

It also gave us responsibility.

We could make spontaneous stops and explore on our own, but that only works if you respect the weather, roads, and the fact that nature does not care what was on your itinerary.

And yes, we somehow got lost in the woods and had a full Blair Witch moment.

Funny now.

Not funny then lol.