Driving studies

The first step is to choose a driving instructor. You and the driving instructor then plan the next steps together.

For example, it is good to ask the driving instructor:

• how the teaching is conducted

• which part of the day he is able to teach

• how the lessons are planned

• which books and study materials are used

• which schools are available for the theoretical study

• what is the cost of the lessons and what payment terms are available
  
  

You need to apply for a driver's license (learning permit) at Island.is.

When an electronic application for permission to study has been submitted, the applicant must bring photo the District Commissioner office, the size must be 35x45 mm, with a white background and give signature.

The drivers´education journal keeps track of driving learning progress. It provides information on:

• driving school completed by the candidate

• number of practical driving times completed by the candidate

• confirmation of accompanied driving, which is a prerequisite for parents or others to apply to be supervisors

• the results of theoretical and practical driving tests

Accompanied driving stopped by the police may require the drivers´education journal to be displayed confirming a permit for accompanied driving.

The digital journal can be accessed by driving students in my pages (under the Vehicle and Driving studies).

Book a driving lesson with your driving instructor and you can start the practical part of the driving study.

You choose a driving school and start Driving School 1.

Courses cover fundamental issues regarding

• understanding the traffic

• basic traffic rules

• the traffic signs

• traffic psychology

• tasks completed and more
  

Assistance is also provided with the preparation for the driving test.

Study materials in other languages than Icelandic

In certain driving schools, it is possible to do theoretical courses other languages. Driving schools must be contacted for more information.

A minimum of 10 lessons is required before the student is ready for accompanied driving. The driving instructor confirms when the student is ready.

To be allowed to drive with a supervisor other than a driving instructor, you need to apply for practice driving at the District Commissioner´s office.

A permit for accompanied driving is issued for up to 18 months.

If you are going to use this option, the driving instructor prepares you for the accompanied driving, confirms the application for the practice drive and decides when it should start. The driving instructor monitors how the practice drive goes and offers additional driving time during the training session as needed.

After the accompanied driving, the driving instructor prepares you for the practical test.

Information on accompanied driving

The student chooses a driving school and studies theoretical driver´s school named Driving school 2

Before going to Driving School 3, you must complete:

• Driving school 1

• Driving school 2

• a minimum of 12 practical driving lessons
  

Risk education (practical and theoretical training)

In risk education, dangerous situations are simulated. The goal is for the student to understand how easily and without warning it is possible to lose control of a vehicle, for example on ice or in loose gravel.

The following are specifically discussed:

• safety and protection equipment for automobiles

• the effect of alcohol and other intoxicants on driving ability

• the effect of fatigue on driving ability
  
  

When the driving course is over, you can make an appointment for a theoretical driving test.
You can take a written test 2 months before your 17th birthday.

Frumherji hf. conducts driving tests according to a contract with the Icelandic Transport Authority.
You can make an appointment for the exam on the Frumherji website.

Implementation of the test

The written test is a multiple-choice test. The test is carried out in a group setting. The candidates answer on separate answer sheets.
The questions are based on the material you have learned at the driving school and with the instructor.
You will receive the results of the test immediately at the end of the test.

If you fail the test, you can retake it a week later. The same fee is paid for each test taken.

Read support test

Reading support tests are for those who struggle with reading difficulties.

Interpreted test

Interpreted tests can be ordered for those whose mother tongue is a language other than what is included in the test booklets.

Test rules

It is important to familiarize yourself with the test rules of the Icelandic transport Authority and Frumherji.

Students often need additional practical classes before the practical test.

The student can expect to complete about 15-25 driving lessons overall.

A practical test can be taken up to 2 weeks before the age of 17. A driving instructor books the practical test after you have passed the theoretical test.

Conducting of the test

Oral test

In the oral test (that is carried out in the car before the actual driving) questions are asked about many things that affect the car itself, such as lights in the dashboard, control and safety devices and things related to the maintenance of the car.

Driving in traffic

In the driving test, you drive on certain test routes and the examiner records the pluses and minuses and then calculates the candidates score at the end. If the total score falls below 80, the examinee has failed the exam.

If you fail the exam, you can retake it a week later. The same fee is paid for each exam taken.

When the candidate has passed both the theoretical and practical tests, the District Commissioner issues a temporary license to those who have reached the age of 17.

The temporary certificate is valid for 1-3 years. After that time you can apply for a permanent license.

More information about the conditions for issuing driver's licenses can be found in regulation no. 830/2011 on driver's licenses.

Before a permanent certificate is issued, a driving assessment must be requested from a driving instructor.

The driver himself decides which driving instructor will do the driving assessment with him and pays the driving instructor for the assessment according to his tariff.

What is a driving assessment?

In a driving assessment, the instructor examines whether the driver's assessment of his own driving ability, driving style and safety in traffic is in accordance with his actual ability. The aim of the driving assessment is for the driver to realize his competence and ability in traffic with regards to road safety.

How is a driving assessment conducted?

The driving assessment is expected to take 50 minutes, of which the driving takes 30 minutes and the discussion and conclusion 15 minutes, where the driver and the driving instructor discuss how to improve the driver's safety.

Driving assessment result

After the driving assessment, the driving instructor can confirm the performance electronically. It is not possible to fail the driving assessment. Once the driving instructor has confirmed the driving assessment, the driver can apply for a permanent certificate.

It is possible to apply for a permanent driving license at Island.is when a driver has

• had a temporary license for one year straight without getting a penalty point for a traffic violence

• done a driving assessment with a driving instructor.

The temporary license expires after three years from the date of issue. Then the driver must apply for a permanent license or have a new temporary license issued.
More about the conditions and application for a certificate of completion.

Penalty points for traffic violations

If a driver has received penalty points due to traffic violations, he must hold a temporary license for a continuous year without further penalty points to be able to apply for permanent license.

Information on penatly point status can be obtained by visiting the nearest police chief's office or the nearest police station and presenting identification.