Driving a car
Step by step guide on the process of learning to drive a car and getting a driving license. Driver´s education may begin at the age of 16. It is wise to give yourself enough time for the process.
Find driving instructor
You start by finding a driving instructor. It is recommended to select a driving instructor that operates near where you live. Here you can find a list of licensed driving instructors.
Apply for a study permit
Once you have chosen a driving instructor, and before your training begins, you must apply for a study permit through Ísland.is.
When your learner's permit has been approved, a digital driver´s education journal will be created for you under My Pages. The digital journal records all information related to your driver training and tracks your progress throughout the learning process.
You can apply for a study permit as early as your 16th birthday.
After submitting your application, you must visit the nearest District Commissioner’s office to provide a passport-style photograph and a specimen of your signature. These will later be used to produce your driving licence.
Theoretical and practical lessons
Theoretical studies should be taken at a driving school. The driving student chooses a driving school. Theoretical studies should be combined with practical lessons with a driving instructor.
The theoretical programme is divided into driving schools 1, 2 and 3.
A minimum of 15 driving lessons with a driving instructor is required.
The time students need to complete the theoretical training varies; it is generally taught through online learning.
Some driving schools also offer theoretical courses in languages other than Icelandic.
Accompanied driving
The driving instructor confirms in the driver's educational journal when the student is ready to start accompanied practice driving. Before starting an accompanied practice driving, a student must have completed driving school 1. Acoompanied driving is not obligatory.
A supervising driver must apply for an accompanied driving permit from the District Commissioner before the accompanied driving starts. Driving schools provide their students with an accompanied driving signs to display on vehicles used for the driving. Accompanied driving must not begin until the District Commissioner has issued the required permit for the supervisor.
Theory test
The theory test may be taken no more than two months before the student turns 17 years old. The theoretical exam is booked on the test center´s website.
The test consists of 50 statements that must be answered true or false. The questions are about material that the student has learned at the driving school and from the instructor. The results of the test are given immediately after the test. 45 statements must be answered correctly to pass the test.
If a student fails in the theory test, one week must be allowed before the examination can be taken again.
If the applicant speaks and understands neither Icelandic nor a foreign language, the test is requested, he/she must have a certified interpreter for theoretical and practical test or an interpreter approved by the Icelandic Transport Authority.
The applicant shall bear the cost of interpretation.
Interpretation is provided only from Icelandic; it is not possible to request interpretation from other languages.
Practical test
The practical driving test may be taken up to two weeks before the applicant turns 17. The driving instructor will book the practical driving test once the theory test has been successfully completed.
The practical test is divided into an oral examination and a roadworthiness examination:
In the oral examination the examiner asks about things that affect the car itself, such as dashboard lights and controls - and safety devices that are related to the maintenance of the vehicle.
During the driving test, the candidate drives along specific test routes and the examiner records errors and calculates the candidate's overall score at the end. The number of penalty points depends on the severity and number of errors made. The total number of penalty points may not exceed 20. See the reference scale for practical tests for more information.
Driving license
After passing both theoretical and practical examinations, it is possible to retrieve electronic provisional license that is valid for three years.
Application for a permanent licence is possible if the driver has held a provisional licence for 12 consecutive months, has no penalty points, has completed driving school 3 and underwent a driving assessment with a driving instructor.
Costs
The driving training program and driving tests involve considerable expenses. Among other things, payment is required for:
a learner’s permit, which must be applied for through the District Commissioner,
driving school courses,
driving lessons with a driving instructor; the number of lessons depends on the candidate’s individual needs,
a textbook and course assignments,
photographs for the driving licence,
examination fees.