Offices in Iceland that exchange foreign driving licences

Phone ahead if you are unsure what your licence needs

Exchanges go through the district commissioners (sýslumenn), and some prefer a call or an email before you turn up. Open your nearest office to see how it wants you to visit and which papers it asks for. Because the rules depend on the country that issued your licence, confirm opening times and requirements before you travel.

12 offices
  • Akranes

    District Commissioner of West Iceland — Akranes

    Kirkjubraut 28, 2. hæð, 300 Akranes

    Bring your licence and the exchange form in person once you have lived in Iceland for six months.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Akureyri

    District Commissioner of Northeast Iceland — Akureyri

    Hafnarstræti 107, 600 Akureyri

    The district office checks your driving rights with the country that issued your licence before giving you an Icelandic one.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Borgarnes

    District Commissioner of West Iceland — Borgarnes

    Bjarnarbraut 2, 310 Borgarnes

    Some foreign licences swap without new tests, while others also require a theory and a practical test.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Egilsstaðir

    District Commissioner of East Iceland — Egilsstaðir

    Lyngás 15, 700 Egilsstaðir

    Phone the district office first to confirm how to visit and what papers your country’s licence needs.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Höfn

    District Commissioner of South Iceland — Höfn

    Litlabrú 1, Efri hæð — Miðbær, 780 Höfn

    Bring your licence and the exchange form to the office, and email or phone beforehand if you have questions.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Húsavík

    District Commissioner of Northeast Iceland — Húsavík

    Útgarður 1, 640 Húsavík

    Once you have six months of permanent residence in Iceland, hand in the exchange form together with your licence.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Ísafjörður

    District Commissioner of Westfjords — Ísafjörður

    Hafnarstræti 1, 400 Ísafjörður

    Phone ahead to find out if your licence needs theory and practical tests, which depends on the country that issued it.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Keflavík

    District Commissioner of Suðurnes — Keflavík

    Vatnsnesvegur 33, 230 Keflavík

    Licences from the UK, Switzerland, Japan, the Faroe Islands and listed EEA countries swap without retaking tests.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Kópavogur

    District Commissioner of Greater Reykjavík — Kópavogur

    Hlíðasmári 1, 201 Kópavogur

    Phone about your case, then hand in the exchange form and your foreign licence at the Greater Reykjavík district office.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Sauðárkrókur

    District Commissioner of Northwest Iceland — Sauðárkrókur

    Suðurgata 1, 550 Sauðárkrókur

    Bring your foreign licence and the filled-in exchange form, and phone ahead to check the counter hours.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Selfoss

    District Commissioner of South Iceland — Selfoss

    Hörðuvellir 1, 800 Selfoss

    Check by email or phone how to visit, then present your foreign licence with the filled-in exchange form.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

  • Vestmannaeyjar

    District Commissioner of the Westman Islands — Vestmannaeyjar

    Heiðarvegur 15, 900 Vestmannaeyjar

    Ask by phone what evidence is needed for a licence from your country, then bring it with the exchange form.

    Bring the foreign licence, passport or EEA national identity card, residence certificate and a printed 35 × 45 mm passport photograph. A medical certificate is required if you need glasses or lenses for driving or have a relevant health condition. Japanese licences require confirmation from Japan’s embassy in Iceland. EEA licences must be surrendered when the Icelandic licence is received. Delivery of plastic driving licences can be delayed. Ask the office about urgent travel and current delivery timing. A digital licence becomes available after processing; a printed temporary permit can be requested from a district commissioner. Both are valid only in Iceland and do not replace the plastic card abroad.

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Where to next

Swapping a foreign licence for an Icelandic one

Check how licences from the EEA and from other countries are treated, what to bring to the district commissioner and when you can apply.

Exchange your driving licence in Iceland