The process of learning to drive - step by step
Learning to Drive in Iceland – Step by Step
1. Choose a Driving Instructor
The first step is to find a driving instructor.
You can find me here: Sæþór Steingrímsson
https://island.is/okukennarar-med-starfsleyfi
2. Apply for a Learning Permit
You must apply for a driving learning permit through the District Commissioner.
Applications can be submitted online at Ísland.is:
https://island.is/fyrsta-okuskirteini-namsheimild
3. First Driving Lessons
We begin the driving lessons together. I will guide you on which driving school I recommend.
You must complete at least:
• 10–12 driving lessons
• Driving School 1 (Ökuskóli 1)
before you can receive a practice driving permit.
4. Practice Driving
After the first lessons, you may begin practice driving with a supervisor (for example, a parent).
Apply to become a supervising driver for practice driving: https://island.is/umsokn-um-aefingaakstur
During this period, you must also complete:
• Driving School 2 (Ökuskóli 2)
• Driving School 3 (Ökuskóli 3)
5. Preparing for the Exams
Approximately 2.5–3 months before your 17th birthday, we continue with additional driving lessons (lessons 13 and 14).
You will also take preparation classes for both:
• the theory exam
• the practical driving exam
The theory exam may be taken 2 months before your 17th birthday.
The minimum number of practical driving lessons required before taking the theory exam is:
• 12 lessons if Driving School 3 has been completed
• otherwise 14 lessons
6. Theory Exam
The theory exam can be taken 2 months before your 17th birthday.
7. Practical Driving Exam
Preparation for the practical driving exam depends on your individual progress.
The usual requirement is:
• 17–25 driving lessons before the exam
• the legal minimum is 15 lessons
The practical driving exam is the final step in the process.
8. Passing the Exams
Once the student has passed both the theory and practical exams, the District Commissioner issues a temporary driver’s license to those who have reached the age of 17.
The temporary license is valid for 1–3 years.
After that period, you may apply for a full driver’s license.
More information can be found in Regulation No. 830/2011 on driver’s licenses.
9. Driving Assessment
Before a full driver’s license can be issued, the driver must complete a driving assessment with a certified instructor.
The driver may choose any instructor to conduct the assessment and pays the instructor according to their pricing.
What is a Driving Assessment?
The driving assessment evaluates whether the driver’s understanding of:
• their own driving ability
• driving behavior
• traffic safety awareness
matches their actual driving skills.
The purpose of the assessment is to help drivers better understand their abilities and limitations in traffic with safety in mind.
10. Full Driver’s License Issued
You may apply for a full driver’s license at Ísland.is once the driver has:
• driven with a temporary license continuously for one year without receiving penalty points for traffic violations
• completed the driving assessment
The temporary license expires three years after the issue date.
At that time, the driver must either:
• apply for a full driver’s license, or
• obtain a new temporary license.