THE FOLLOWING ARE MANDATORY WHEN DRIVING IN ICELAND  AND MUST BE CARRIED IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES:

* VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
* LETTER OF AUTHORITY TO DRIVE, IF YOU ARE NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE
* CURRENT M.O.T. CERTIFICATE
* CURRENT CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE (MULTI-LINGUAL ON REVERSE)
* PHOTOCARD DRIVING LICENCE OR INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMIT, IF YOUR LICENCE DOES NOT HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH, A PASSPORT IS NEEDED TO VALIDATE THE LICENCE
* SPARE BULB KIT
* WARNING TRIANGLE
* FIRST AID KIT
* INTERNATIONAL ACCIDENT DECLARATION FORM
* FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Children in cars:
Children must be secured by either safety belts or safety-seats.

Lights:
Dipped headlights must be used at all times.

Drinking and Driving:
Don't do it. You will loose your licence if the alcohol content of the blood reaches 0.05 and you will have to pay a heavy fine.

Seat belts:
Compulsory for front and rear seat occupants.

Parking:
Parking restrictions are strict but clearly indicated. Always park in the direction of the traffic and always at least 5 metres from pedestrian crossings and junctions. In the main towns always use a multi-storey car park; it’s a lot cheaper than meter parking.

Fines:
No information at this time.

Speed limits:
Paved Roads = 90km/h
Gravel Roads in Rural Areas = 80km/h
Towns = 50 km/h.

Opening of the mountain tracks:
Most mountain roads are closed until the beginning of July, or even longer because of wet and muddy conditions, which make them totally impassable. When these roads are opened for traffic only four-wheel-drive vehicles can negotiate many of them. It is strongly advised that two or more cars travel together. Also, before embarking on any journey into the interior collect as much information as possible regarding road conditions from a travel bureau, tourist information office or the Public Roads Administration Tel: +354-563-1500, answering service 24 hours, 800-6316) (In English 1/6-31/8). A booklet called Mountain Roads can be obtained at Tourist Information Centres and the offices of the Icelandic Tourist Board abroad. Always take along a detailed map.

Average opening dates of some mountain tracks:

LAKAGÍGAR (F206) - Jun. 12th
FJALLABAKSLEIÐ NYRÐRI (F208)
Sigalda – Landmannalaugar - Jun. 12th
Landmannalaugar – Eldgjá - Jun. 23rd
Skaftártunga – Eldgjá - Jun. 4th
FJALLABAKSLEIÐ SYÐRI (F210)
Keldur – Hvanngil  - Jun. 30th
Hvanngil – Skaftártunga - Jun. 30th
LANDMANNALEIÐ (F225)
(DÓMADALUR) - Jun. 15th
EMSTRUR (F261) - Jun. 24th
KJALVEGUR (F35)
Gullfoss – Hveravellir - Jun. 11th
Hveravellir – Blönduvirkjun - Jun. 2nd
SPRENGISANDSLEIÐ (F26)
Hrauneyjar – Nýidalur - Jun. 27th
Nýidalur – Bárðardalur - Jun. 27th
SKAGAFJÖRÐUR (F752) - Jul. 3rd
EYJAFJARÐARLEIÐ (F821) - Jul. 6th
ASKJA (F88)
Askja – Herðubreiðarlindir - Jun. 19th
Askja – Dreki - Jun. 20th
ÖSKJUVATNSVEGUR (F894) - Jun. 21st
VESTURDALUR (HLJÓÐAKLETTAR) (F862) - Jun. 8th
KVERKFJALLALEIÐ (F902) - Jun. 19th
UXAHRYGGJAVEGUR (F52) - Jun. 5th
KALDADALSVEGUR (F550) - Jun. 13th

Reproduced courtesy of  http://www.icetourist.is

Something to Remember:

Many roads in Iceland's sparsely populated countryside are surfaced with loose gravel and must be driven carefully, slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car. Information on road conditions should be sought from the police before driving in the interior. These roads are often impassable until midsummer. When crossing unbridged streams great care must be taken. Some have fast currents and conditions can change quickly. Streams must be crossed slowly in first gear.