How to Buy Exchange Iceland Driving Licence

( 19/01/2013 ➔ )

Driving licence exchange in Iceland

Driving licences are valid for: 15 years

Driving licences for novice drivers of 17(B) or 24(A) years old are valid for:

3 years - category A
3 years - category B

Driving licences for elderly drivers over the age of 70.

After the age of 70 your driving licence must be renewed more often. When you reach the age of 70 it has to renewed when you reach 74, if you are 71 it must be renewed in 3 years, if you are 72 it must be renewed in 2 years and thereafter every 2 years until the age of 80. After the age of 80 if has to renewed every year.

If more than two years pass since the expiry of your driving licence, an ability test must be taken before the licence is renewed.

If you hold a driving licence for life (i.e. one that remains administratively valid for an unlimited period) that was issued by another EU country, you will not have to renew the licence after changing your usual place of residence.

Non-EU driving licences - exchange & recognition

You must exchange your non-EU driving licence within 1 month of moving.

To exchange your non-EU driving licence:

Go to: the Icelandic local District Magistrate , or the local police regardless of your place of residence.
Hand in the following documents:

A photograph (35x45 mm).
Foreign driving licence.
A statement concerning your health, or if appropriate a health certificate issued by a doctor.

If you have previously exchanged a non-EU driving licence for an EU licence in another EU country, you can use it in Iceland.

Physical description
Size	86 x 54 mm
Material	Polycarbonate
Colour	Pink and blue

Security features
Square shaped security mark
Location	On the holder s photograph
Characteristics	A square-shaped security mark with the shape of Iceland covers part of the passport photo. It contains the letters "is", as well as Iceland s coat of arms. The mark is visible when the card is tilted to the side.
Method of verification	Tilting the licence

Engraving
Location	On the licence s transparent surface
Characteristics	An oval, white, ribbed surface can clearly be felt when a fingernail is dragged across the surface. When the card is tilted to the side, the licence's year of issue or the letters "ISL" can be seen.
Method of verification	By touching and/or tilting the licence

Micro lettering
Location	Left side of the coat of arms on the back side of the licence
Characteristics	On the left side of the coat of arms on the back side is a small dot, the size of a speck of dust - this is in fact a symbol, legible with a magnifying glass. The symbol will be changed regularly.
Method of verification	Magnifying glass
Colour changing printing
Location	Under the coat of arms on the back side of the licence
Characteristics	Under the coat of arms on the back is a strip that changes colours when the card is tilted to the side.
Method of verification	Tilting the licence
UV and IR light
Location	On the licence s surface
Characteristics	UV light makes all dark blue features on the licence glow, while IR turns the same features green.
Method of verification	UV/IR light
UV light
Location	On the licence s surface
Characteristics	If the card is put under an ultraviolet light, certain background features, i.e. outlines, patterns, pictures and text glow. UVA and UVB rays reveal different features.
Method of verification	UVA and UVB light
UV light
Location	Front side of the licence, inside the map of Iceland
Characteristics	Ultraviolet light reveals, inside the map of Iceland, the number and user name of the official who ordered the licence, as well as a number showing whether the card was produced in the first attempt or whether it had to be repeated due to a flaw.
Method of verification	UV light
IR light
Location	Front side of the licence
Characteristics	If the driving licence is put under an infrared light, part of the card glows bright green.
Method of verification	IR light

Categories
Category	Period of validity
AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE	Until 65:15 years; 65-71: 5 years; 71: 4 years; 72: 3 years; 73-80: 2 years; above 80: 1 year
C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E, DE	Until 65:5 years; 65-71: 5 years; 71: 4 years; 72: 3 years; 73-80: 2 years; above 80: 1 year

Professional drivers
Certificate of professional competence is issued	NO
Code 95 is marked on the driving licence	YES

Additional information

The licence's physical characteristics, numbering and categories are in accordance with the current EU Directive on driving licences.

1.Models ÍS1, ÍS2.
All driving licences for categories A and B issued for 10 years before 1 March 1988 (having the relevant expiry date recorded on the licence), which were valid at that date, are automatically valid until the holder’s 70th birthday.
2.Model ÍS1–ÍS4
. The entitlement to drive category C of those licences refers only to professional driving of category B and/or E. ÍS: Description and security features Models ÍS1. Description: Paper stock licence, green, encapsulated in plastic. Security features: Stamp of the issuing authority overlapping the photo, hand-written official’s signature or stamp with the official’s name printed.
Models ÍS2, ÍS 3. Description:
Paper stock licence, pink, encapsulated in plastic. Security features: Stamp of the issuing authority overlapping the photo, handwritten official’s signature or stamp with the official’s name printed.
Model ÍS4.
Description: Paper stock licence, pink, encapsulated in plastic. Security features: Stamp of the issuing authority overlapping the photo, handwritten official’s signature or stamp with the official’s name printed. Coat of arms repeated vertically down centre on the front page of the licence.