Application for the first driving license and a study permit

The age for driving a license is 17 years and is based on the date that the applicant turns 17 years old. It is worth taking enough time to study for your driving licence. Driving studies may begin at the age of 16. The time at which a driving study is commenced, however, depends on various factors such as the season, residence, economy, personal circumstances or personal motivation. It is important to read up on driving studies and the driving test.

The licence confers a general category B driving licence.

The first driving licence is a temporary licence valid for 3 years. If the licence holder has completed driving school 3, driving assessment and has no points, then an application for a full licence may be submitted one year after the issue of a temporary licence. Full licences shall be valid for 15 years at a time.

Conditions for commencing driving training

• Have reached the age of 16

• Have adequate vision and hearing

• Be physically and mentally competent to operate a car

• Remain permanently resident in Iceland

Application process and supporting documentation

As soon as the studies begin, you must apply electronically for a study permit. This is done by filling out an application for a study permit and first driving licence at the top of the page.

• Select a driving instructor.

• Select a driving school.

• Apply electronically for a study permit using your electronic ID.

• During the application process, you can retrieve your photo and signature from the ID register, provided the photo meets the age requirements, or use an existing photo from the driving licence register. This may apply, for example, if you already hold Category AM driving entitlements or are resuming driving studies after a break and have previously submitted a photo to the District Commissioner.

• If no photo is available in the ID register or driving licence register, you can apply for an ID card and have your photo taken at the District Commissioner's office. Once the photo has been taken, it can immediately be used in the electronic application for a study permit.

• Individuals aged 13 and older can apply for an ID card that is not a travel document without the involvement of a legal guardian and use the photo in the electronic application process for driving studies.

• If one or more health questions are answered in the affirmative, a medical certificate must also be submitted as part of the application process. The certificate must be reviewed before a study permit is issued.

• If no digital photo is available in the ID register, the applicant must visit the District Commissioner's office, complete a paper application and submit a passport photo on photographic paper (35 × 45 mm, plain background), provide a signature and present valid identification.

• If one or more health questions are answered in the affirmative during the paper application process, a medical certificate must also be submitted to the District Commissioner's office.

Processing and Delivery Procedure

The processing time for driver’s licenses is up to 7 working days from when the application is received and the license is ordered.

A driver’s license can be delivered in the following ways:

• Sent by mail (postal fee applies)

• Picked up at the district commissioners’ service desks.

The digital driver’s license is updated in the Ísland.is app as soon as the license is ordered. It is possible to request a temporary driving permit on paper, for example if someone is obtaining additional driving entitlements or does not have electronic identification.

Cost

A study permit is valid for two years and the first driving licence costs 4.300 ISK.

A driving test may take place once the applicant has received a study permit from the District Commissioner and a driving instructor has confirmed that sufficient driving training has been completed.