Applications for exemptions from the rules on the length, width, height, total weight and axle weight of a vehicle may be submitted to the Icelandic Transportation Authority. This applies:
when, exceptional or interchangeable transport operations are necessary and cannot reasonably be carried out by other means
for exemptions from the length, width and height of exchangeable goods where such carriage is recommended by obvious practical reasons.
the carriage of passengers on short-distance routes, where necessary in particular in order to ensure the safety of passengers, provided that road safety is not impaired or that there is an increased risk of damage to the road infrastructure.
You must request an exemption when:
Total cargo height of 4,20 metres or more
Total width of cargo is 2,55 metres or more
Car length is 12 metres or more
The total length of the wagon train (car + wagon) is 18,75 metres or more
The total weight depends on the circumstances at any given time. See further in
Notice that the list above is not exhaustive, but applies to the most common examples of exemptions. For further details see .
When does the police approval be required?
When the case of cargo is as follows, consent or police consultation is required regarding a police escort:
Cargo heights are 5,50 metres or higher - Approval is required from the National Grid for heights greater than 6 metres for electrical lines, outside the capital area. The Directorate of Communications shall examine this in each instance and instruct the applicant to apply separately for level transportation with Landsnet, if applicable.
Cargo width is 3,50 metres or more
Total length of the trolleybus is 30 metres or more
Exceptional cases where exemptions are granted for exceptionally heavy loads
Also applicable for tracking through tunnels due to width, in case of bridge traffic need to be stopped for transportation purposes and other
Service provider
The Icelandic Transport Authority