When an electronic application for permission to study has been submitted, the applicant must bring photo the District Commissioner office, the size must be 35x45 mm, with a white background and give signature.
The drivers´education journal keeps track of driving learning progress. It provides information on:
driving school completed by the candidate
number of practical driving times completed by the candidate
confirmation of accompanied driving, which is a prerequisite for parents or others to apply to be supervisors
the results of theoretical and practical driving tests
Accompanied driving stopped by the police may require the drivers´education journal to be displayed confirming a permit for accompanied driving.
The digital journal can be accessed by driving students in my pages (under the Vehicle and Driving studies).
Book a driving lesson with your driving instructor and you can start the practical part of the driving study.
You choose a driving school and start Driving School 1.
Courses cover fundamental issues regarding
understanding the traffic
basic traffic rules
the traffic signs
traffic psychology
tasks completed and more
Assistance is also provided with the preparation for the driving test.
Study materials in other languages than Icelandic
In certain driving schools, it is possible to do theoretical courses other languages. Driving schools must be contacted for more information.
A minimum of 10 lessons is required before the student is ready for accompanied driving. The driving instructor confirms when the student is ready.
A permit for accompanied driving is issued for up to 18 months.
If you are going to use this option, the driving instructor prepares you for the accompanied driving, confirms the application for the practice drive and decides when it should start. The driving instructor monitors how the practice drive goes and offers additional driving time during the training session as needed.
After the accompanied driving, the driving instructor prepares you for the practical test.
The student chooses a driving school and studies theoretical driver´s school named Driving school 2
Before going to Driving School 3, you must complete:
Driving school 1
Driving school 2
a minimum of 12 practical driving lessons
Risk education (practical and theoretical training)
In risk education, dangerous situations are simulated. The goal is for the student to understand how easily and without warning it is possible to lose control of a vehicle, for example on ice or in loose gravel.
The following are specifically discussed:
safety and protection equipment for automobiles
the effect of alcohol and other intoxicants on driving ability
the effect of fatigue on driving ability
When the driving course is over, you can make an appointment for a theoretical driving test. You can take a written test 2 months before your 17th birthday.
Frumherji hf. conducts driving tests according to a contract with the Icelandic Transport Authority. You can make an appointment for the exam on the Frumherji website.
Implementation of the test
The written test is a multiple-choice test. The test is carried out in a group setting. The candidates answer on separate answer sheets. The questions are based on the material you have learned at the driving school and with the instructor. You will receive the results of the test immediately at the end of the test.
If you fail the test, you can retake it a week later. The same fee is paid for each test taken.
Read support test
Reading support tests are for those who struggle with reading difficulties.
Interpreted test
Interpreted tests can be ordered for those whose mother tongue is a language other than what is included in the test booklets.
Test rules
It is important to familiarize yourself with the test rules of the Icelandic transport Authority and Frumherji.
Students often need additional practical classes before the practical test.
The student can expect to complete about 15-25 driving lessons overall.
A practical test can be taken up to 2 weeks before the age of 17. A driving instructor books the practical test after you have passed the theoretical test.
Conducting of the test
Oral test
In the oral test (that is carried out in the car before the actual driving) questions are asked about many things that affect the car itself, such as lights in the dashboard, control and safety devices and things related to the maintenance of the car.
Driving in traffic
In the driving test, you drive on certain test routes and the examiner records the pluses and minuses and then calculates the candidates score at the end. If the total score falls below 80, the examinee has failed the exam.
If you fail the exam, you can retake it a week later. The same fee is paid for each exam taken.
When the candidate has passed both the theoretical and practical tests, the District Commissioner issues a temporary license to those who have reached the age of 17.
The temporary certificate is valid for 1-3 years. After that time you can apply for a permanent license.
More information about the conditions for issuing driver's licenses can be found in regulation no. 830/2011 on driver's licenses.
Before a permanent certificate is issued, a driving assessment must be requested from a driving instructor.
The driver himself decides which driving instructor will do the driving assessment with him and pays the driving instructor for the assessment according to his tariff.
What is a driving assessment?
In a driving assessment, the instructor examines whether the driver's assessment of his own driving ability, driving style and safety in traffic is in accordance with his actual ability. The aim of the driving assessment is for the driver to realize his competence and ability in traffic with regards to road safety.
How is a driving assessment conducted?
Self-assessment of driving ability and safety in traffic.
Car ride with a driving instructor. The driving instructor decides part of the driving route and the driver decides part.
The driver evaluates his own driving, what could have been done better and what went well.
A driving instructor provides feedback. He will go through both the skills which the drivar has good command of and those which he should develop further.
The driving assessment is expected to take 50 minutes, of which the driving takes 30 minutes and the discussion and conclusion 15 minutes, where the driver and the driving instructor discuss how to improve the driver's safety.
Driving assessment result
After the driving assessment, the driving instructor can confirm the performance electronically. It is not possible to fail the driving assessment. Once the driving instructor has confirmed the driving assessment, the driver can apply for a permanent certificate.
It is possible to apply for a permanent driving license at Island.is when a driver has
had a temporary license for one year straight without getting a penalty point for a traffic violence
done a driving assessment with a driving instructor.
The temporary license expires after three years from the date of issue. Then the driver must apply for a permanent license or have a new temporary license issued. More about the conditions and application for a certificate of completion.
Penalty points for traffic violations
If a driver has received penalty points due to traffic violations, he must hold a temporary license for a continuous year without further penalty points to be able to apply for permanent license.
After that, the driver can apply for a permanent license, if he meets the previously mentioned requirements. However, if not, he will be issued a temporary certificate again for a period of three years.
Information on penatly point status can be obtained by visiting the nearest police chief's office or the nearest police station and presenting identification.
Cost
Driving education and driving tests can be costly. Among other things, payment must be made for
study authorization to be applied for from the District Commissioner
driving school courses
driving lessons with a driving instructor, it depends on each individual how many driving lessons are needed
textbook and assignments
pictures for certificate
test fees
General driving licence
General driving licences give the right to drive a passenger car or van which is
not more than 3,500 kg
with seats for a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver
with a coupled trailer or coupling device of a permissible gross weight not exceeding 750 kg
with a coupled trailer having a maximum authorized weight exceeding 750 kg, in which case the total authorized weight of both vehicles must not exceed 3,500 kg;
You may also drive
moped (shelled)
motorcycle with three or more wheels
off-road vehicles such as snowmobiles
tractor
heavy machinery, but do not for professional purposes unless you have heavy machinery license.
However, a person under 21 may not drive a motorcycle with three wheels of more than 15 kW.
Change of driving instructor
There are various reasons why people choose to change driving instructors. For example inter-regional transport and transportation. The student makes the change on Island.is
Assessment of incomplete learning from other countries
Theoretical studies that have been taken in another country than Iceland are not evaluated between countries. Those who intend to obtain driving licences in Iceland must complete Driving School 1, 2 and 3 in Iceland.
