I’m diving into an important yet often overlooked aspect of driving in Iceland—the unique rules of two-lane roundabouts. Even if you are from Europe, there is a good chance that Iceland does two-lane roundabouts a little different than what you expect.
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Why Are Iceland’s Two-Lane Roundabouts Unique?
Roundabouts exist in many countries, but Iceland’s two-lane roundabouts come with specific rules that often catch foreign drivers off guard. If you’ve ever rented a car in Iceland or plan to, knowing these rules will save you a lot of confusion—and possibly a fender bender!
The key thing to know about Iceland’s two-lane roundabouts is that the inner lane (the one closest to the center) has the right of way. This is different from many other countries where the outer lane might have priority. Here’s how it works:
- When entering a two-lane roundabout, you should choose your lane before entering.
- If you plan to take the first exit, you should be in the outer lane (right lane).
- If you plan to go straight or take any further exits, you should be in the inner lane (left lane).
- Once inside the roundabout, changing lanes is not allowed. This means if you entered in the inner lane, you must continue in that lane until you exit.
- If you’re in the outer lane and another driver is in the inner lane, you must yield to the inner lane driver if they need to exit. This is where most accidents happen because foreign drivers don’t expect this rule.
- When exiting, use your turn signal to indicate your intention, just like you would in any other roundabout.
Two-Lane Roundabout Example in Iceland
The first image shows two cars entering a two-lane roundabout in Iceland. The orange car is in the inside lane (left) and the pink car is in the outer land (right).
Below shows the the exits that the pink car (outer lane) can take.
And here are the exits that the orange car (inner lane) can take.
This example is showing if the orange car is entering the two-lane roundabout in the inner lane on the bottom and the pink car is coming from the right in t he outerlane.
As a reminder, the pink car can either go to the first or second exit. In this example, it will be going to the second exit.
Since the pink car and the orange car are in close proximity to each other, the pink car is the one that gives the right of way, since the orange car is in the inner lane.
The pink car (outer lane) must stop and let the orange car (inner lane) exit before continuing on to its second exit.
Why These Rules Matter?
Iceland’s road system is designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly, and roundabouts play a big role in that. However, every year, rental car companies report minor accidents in roundabouts because of misunderstandings about these rules. The last thing you want is to start your Iceland adventure with an accident or a costly insurance claim!
The Savvy Traveler's Guide to Iceland
Whether it's your first time visiting Iceland or you have been several times before, this guide will help you explore Iceland like a local.
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Random Fact of the Episode
You might notice that as you venture outside of the downtown Reykjavík area, that you will see less traffic lights, occasionally roundabouts, and long stretches of road. One of the many things I enjoy about the Icelandic countryside is that traffic lights are not necessary.
Roundabouts are used, when necessary, at intersections to slow vehicles down and allow for cars to head in different directions.
Icelandic Word of the Episode
Hringtorg – roundabout
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