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.
Apply for a study permit
As soon as the driving instructor has been selected but before the driving lessons start, you must apply for a study permit on Ísland.is. When a student's study permit is approved, a digital driver's education journal will be created on My pages. The driver's education journal covers everything related to the driving studies.
Driving school programme
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.
Accompanied practice 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 and a minimum of 10 practical driving lessons with a driving instructor.
Theory test
The theory test can be taken two months before the student turns 17 years old.
The test is a multiple choice exam, divided into two parts, with total of 30 questions. The maximum number of errors is seven, although the number of errors in part A cannot exceed two.
If a student fails the theoretical test, one week must pass before the test can be taken again.
Practical test
The practical test is divided into an oral test and a driving test.
In the oral test a student must answer questions 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.
In the driving test, the competence on urban and rural streets is tested by varying levels of traffic density. Evaluations include for example knowledge of traffic regulations, preparation of driving amongst other factors.
Provisional license
After passing both theoretical and practical examinations, it is possible to apply for provisional license that is valid for three years.
Permanent license
Application of a permanent licence is possible if the driver has held a provisional licence for 12 consecutive months, completed driving school 3 and underwent a driving assessment.