Starting your driver's training
You can start your driver training at age 16, and the driving license can be obtained at 17.
The student driver to be, or their parents/guardians, chooses a driving instructor and contacts them for information or any questions they may have.
Note that some driving instructors also offer lessons on vehicles with automatic transmission. Student drivers that take lessons on automatic transmission vehicles get a driving license that is restricted to only be valid to automatic transmission vehicles. For a student driver that struggles with clutch or gear change, for whatever reason, this may be a good choice.
Before you can start your driving lessons, you will need a learner's permit. Since a legal change in 2020, driving instructors are not allowed to give lessons to a student driver before they obtain their learner's permit.
The student driver applies for a learner's permit at "sýslumaður" (magistrate), by:
a) Applying online for a driving licence (see here)
and
b) presenting the following at sýslumaður's office (not online):
• A passport photo (35 x 45 mm)
• A health certificate / eye certificate, if needed (see instructions in online application)
• The applicant (student driver to be) must bring these things in person, as well as giving their signature at the same time.
ATTENTION: Sýslumaður will NOT issue a permit based on the online application alone. You WILL need to hand in a passport photo, signature and (if applicable) a health and/or eye certificate in order of the permit to be issued. It's also worth emphasising that it is illegal for driving instructors to start teaching before the permit has been issued.
[Click here to see where your nearest sýslumaður (magistrate) is located]
Click here to read more about
the driver's training process.