If you have never been a licensed driver or do not have a current driver’s license (ökuskírteini):

1. The applicant must have an Icelandic social security number (kennitala) and an established, legal, Icelandic address for at least 6 months.
2. The applicant must be at least 17 years of age.  Driving lessons may begin at 16 years of age.
3. The first step is to choose an authorized driving teacher and to take lessons, both practical and written.
4. The teacher assists with the necessary paper work, which must be registered with the local police or district commissioner.
5. As the time for the test approaches the teacher will assist with the application for a driving test.  You will need to provide a picture and possibly proof of a medical examination. (Necessary when there is a history of certain medical conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.)  You may also be required to take a vision test. Frumherja carries out both the written and drivers test.
6. At the time the application is submitted the applicant is asked to swear that the information given is correct and to sign his/her name. 
7. A fee must be paid* when the application is submitted. Written exams cost kr. 1900 and the driving test itself costs kr. 5300. When you pick up your license the fee is kr. 2200 for temporaries and kr.3900 for regular licenses.
8. If an interpreter is needed one can be provided but the applicant is responsible for the cost.

* All drivers license exams are given by Frumherja.

STUDYING FOR THE DRIVER'S TEST 

The website www.okunam.com was specially prepared by Ahús and is a simplified version of the icelandic Akstur og Umferð in plain icelandic. On www.okuleikni.is you can find information in polish about taking the test and www.ekill.is is an online version of the mandatory school (ökuskóli) which has taken the needs of the dyslexic into consideration.

TO EXCHANGE DRIVER’S LICENSES

Those who are moving to Iceland to live for an extended length of time must have an Icelandic driver’s license if they are going to operate a motor vehicle in Iceland. If you are only in Iceland temporarily, for instance with a one year work permit, you may drive with your valid foreign license.

Citizens of the EEA and EU may drive in Iceland without exchanging their licenses if they have the newer version of the European standardized driver’s license. Europeans without this type of license must exchange theirs for an Icelandic license.

Since 26 March 2007 all holders of foreign driver’s licenses must take both a written and practical exam before they are issued an Icelandic licence.  To exchange licenses the applicant must have an Icelandic social security number (kennitala) and an established, legal, Icelandic address for at least 6 months.

To exchange your driver’s license:

Applications are available at the police station in Reykjavik (Lögreglustjórinn í Reykjavík) located at Borgartún 7B, or at your local police station or district commissioner’s office (sýslumaðurinn).  If you don’t read and write Icelandic well enough to fill out the application you may want to have someone assist you.

You must bring the following:

• A current passport photo.
• Your current driver’s license. Be aware that the license must be translated into, Icelandic, English or one of the other Scandinavian languages.• Proof that your license is indeed valid in the issuing country. An actual driver’s license is not absolute proof that the license in valid.  This must also be translated.
• Certificate of a medical examination, where applicable. If you have checked yes to any of the health questions on the application you will be asked for a certificate from an Icelandic doctor.
• Proof of a vision test - if you use corrective lenses you must have an eye exam done by an Icelandic ophthalmologist/eye doctor.   

At the time of application you will be expected to turn in your overseas driver’s license, which will then be sent back to the country of origin.

A fee must be paid when the application is submitted. The fee is either 2,200 or 3,900 krona, depending on the length of time the license is valid.

For more information call the Reykjavik Police at Borgartún 7B or call 444 1400.  There is also information in English on the website www.frumherja.is and on www.us.is

INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS’ LICENCES:

If you plan on driving abroad, outside of the European Union, you will need an international license.  These are issued at Borgartún 7b.  You will need your valid Icelandic license and one extra picture. The fee is kr. 1,000 and only takes a few minutes. 

DRIVER’S EDUCATION BOOKS
The Driving Instructor’s Association of Iceland sells instructional books in the following languages.
Icelandic         Akstur og umferð
Danish                   Köreskolens teoribog
English                  The School of Motoring Theory Book
Vietnamese            Körekortsboken
German                  Fahren lerenen
Swedish                 Körekortsboken
Czechoslovakian     Virucnik za vozacku dozvolu
Spanish                  Aprender conducir

There are also practice books available in English, Icelandic and Danish.  These are available in packages of four booklets with 60 questions each or individually.
 

The Education Centre of the Driving Instructor’s Association of Iceland/Fræðslumiðstöð Ökukennarafélags Íslands is located at:

Þarabakki 3
109 Reykjavik
567 0360
www.aka.is