Road signs in Iceland

Road signs in Iceland conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries, with certain design elements borrowed from Danish and Swedish practice. Signs tend to be more sparsely employed than in other European countries, especially in rural areas.

A sign displaying the location of scattered villages and homesteads in a rural area of Iceland

Design

Distances and other measurements are displayed in metric units. All text within the main signs and on auxiliary signs is exclusively in Icelandic with very few exceptions.

Colours and shapes

Icelandic road signs most closely resemble their Swedish counterparts, with rounded corners and yellow backgrounds. However, there are many differences in detail, especially in the silhouettes used.

Shape and colour are used to indicate the function of signs:

Type of sign	Shape	Border	Background colour	Text/Symbol
Warning	Triangular	Red	Yellow	Black
Prohibition	Circular	Red	Yellow	Black
Mandatory instructions	Circular	White	Blue	White
Supplementary	Rectangular	White Red	Blue Yellow	White Black
Directions, sometimes	Rectangular	Black	Yellow	Black
Information	Rectangular	White	Blue	White

Typeface

A version of the Transport typeface employed on road signs in the UK – modified to include accented characters and the Icelandic letters ð (eth) and þ (thorn) – is used on Icelandic road signs.

Gallery

A series

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  Curve to the right
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  Curve to the left
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  multiple curves, first one to the right
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  Multiple curves, first one to the left
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  Crossroads with priority to the right
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  Give way
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  Crossroads with a minor road
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  Merging traffic from right
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  Merging traffic from left
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  Junction with a minor side road on right
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  Junction with a minor side road on left
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  Staggered junctions (first right, second left)
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  Staggered junctions (first left, second right)
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  Roundabout ahead
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  Children
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  Pedestrian on the road
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  Pedestrian crossing ahead
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  Horse rider
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  Horses
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  Domestic animals
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  Sheep
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  Wild animals
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  Road narrows on both sides
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  Road narrows on right
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  Road narrows on left
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  Roadworks ahead
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  Gravel grader
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  Cyclists
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  Steep descent
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  Steep ascent
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  Uneven road ahead
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  Road bump ahead
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  Falling rocks or debris
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  Falling rocks or debris
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  Loose road surface
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  Traffic signals ahead
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  Low-flying aircraft
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  Two-way traffic ahead
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  Tunnel ahead
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  Slippery road surface
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  Ice
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  Shoulder drop-off
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  Soft verges or dangerous shoulder
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  Dangerous crosswinds
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  Unprotected quayside or riverbank
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  Other danger

B series

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  Road closed to all vehicles in both directions
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  No entry for vehicular traffic
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  No motor vehicles
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  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
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  No heavy goods vehicles
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  No buses
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  No vehicles carrying dangerous water pollutants
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  No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
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  No tractors
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  No motorcycles
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  No snowmobiles
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  No bicycles with motor assist
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  No bicycles
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  No horses
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  No pedestrians
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  Minimum safe following distance between vehicles
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  Maximum width
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  Maximum vehicle length
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  Maximum height
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  Maximum weight
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  Maximum total weight of truck and trailer
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  Maximum weight per axle
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  Stop
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  Stop, checkpoint ahead
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  No parking
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  No parking between hours indicated
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  End of no parking zone
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  No stopping
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  Give way to oncoming traffic
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  Maximum speed limit
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  End of maximum speed limit
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  Speed limit zone
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  End of speed limit zone
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  No right turn
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  No left turn
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  No U-turns
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  No overtaking
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  No overtaking by heavy goods vehicles
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  End of overtaking prohibition
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  End of overtaking by HGV prohibition
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  End of all restrictions

C series

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  Road turns right ahead
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  Road turns left ahead
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  Proceed straight (no turns)
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  Turn right ahead
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  Turn left ahead
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  Proceed straight or turn right
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  Proceed straight or turn left
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  Proceed left or right
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  Pass obstacle on right
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  Pass obstacle on left
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  Pass obstacle on either side
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  Roundabout
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  Bicycles only
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  Pedestrians only
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  Shared use path
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  Separate path for pedestrians and bikes (may be reversed)
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  Equestrian path

D series

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  Parking
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  Indoor/Cover parking
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  Disabled Parking
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  Disabled Parking with max time limit
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  Bus parking
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  Parking for loading and unloading.
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  Car park
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  Electric car park/plug in
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  Ambulance parking
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  Bicycle parking
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  Motorcycle parking
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  Chains recommended
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  Pedestrian crossing
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  Priority road
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  End of priority road
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  Priority over oncoming vehicles
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  Manhole
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  Route for trucks†
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  see †
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  One-way street
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  One-way street
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  No through road
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  Taxi
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  Bus stop
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  Timed Bus parking
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  Handicaped only
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  Built-up Area Begins
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  End of Built-up Area
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  Residential area/living street
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  End of residential area/living street
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  Pedestrian underpass to the right
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  Pedestrian underpass to the left
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  Pedestrian overpass to the right
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  Pedestrian overpass to the left
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  In
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  Out
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  National speed limits
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  Stop ahead for toll
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  Speed camera

E series

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  First aid
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  Hospital
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  Police
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  Pharmacy
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  Emergency shelter
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  Emergency phone
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  Fire extinguisher
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  Information
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  Information booth
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  Phone
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  Restroom (water closet)
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  Outhouse
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  Water tank discharge
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  Town centre
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  Industrial area
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  Point of interest
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  Hiking trail
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  Picnic area
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  Viewpoint
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  Viewpoint with information
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  Rubbish bin
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  Rubbish container
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  Radio station/FM Frequency
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  Gasoline
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  Car mechanic
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  Tyre repair
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  Car rental
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  Coffee shop
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  Restaurant
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  Refreshments in private home
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  Hotel
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  Hostel (sleeping bags only)
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  Youth hostel
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  Rental cabin
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  Refuge hut
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  Campsite
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  Caravan park
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  Cooking facilities
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  Shower
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  Hot tub
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  Washing machine
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  Meeting facilities
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  Swimming pool
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  Recreation centre
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  Sports field
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  Horses
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  Fishing
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  Ocean fishing
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  Whale watching
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  Ski lift
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  Ski lift with chair
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  Cross-country ski area
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  Snowcat trips
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  Golf course
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  Snowmobile rental
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  Water scooter rental
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  Bicycle rental
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  Boat rental
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  Water skiing
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  River rafting
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  Church
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  Cemetery
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  ATM
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  Bank
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  Post office
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  Tourist shop
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  Supermarket
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  Bakery
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  Food kiosk
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  Handicrafts
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  Greenhouse
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  Art gallery
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  Library
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  Aquarium
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  Domestic animal park
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  Dog hotel
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  Veterinarian
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  Ferry
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  Boat trips
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  Airport
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  Airstrip

F series

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G series

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  Lane ends
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H series

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J series

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  When the "road condition" begins
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  On left
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  On right
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  On both sides
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  Parking time limit[1]
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  Handicapped parking[1]
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  Blind people[1]
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  Deaf people[1]
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  Weight limit[1]
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  Tow zone[1]
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  New road surface[1]
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  Unbridged river crossing[1]
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  Slow road: Driving is difficult but not impossible for non-4×4 cars[1]
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  Difficult road: 4×4 car required (these and "TORLEIÐI" are typically preceded with an F, e.g. F35)[1]
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  Mountain road: Extremely difficult terrain, even in 4×4s[1]
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  Blind hill[1]
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  Blind hills[1]
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  Area with higher accident risk[1]
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  One-lane road[1]
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  Start of gravel road, slow to 80 km/h (for the best conditions, vary by weather)
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  One-lane bridge[1]
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  One-lane tunnel
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  Stop ahead[1]
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  One-lane bridge (with length)[1]
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  Street running[1]

Old signs

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Early signs

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References

1. https://carrentalss.com/traffic-signs/