Learning to drive in Iceland can cost between 300,000 to 400,000 kr but it’s not within everyone’s means to pay that sort of money.
There are, however, ways to reduce the cost.
Many, but not all, unions in Iceland offer grants to help you pay for your driving licence. In some cases it’s even possible to save yourself hundreds of thousands of kronurs with their help.
Whether or not you can get a grant depends on what union you’re in, how long you’ve been working, how much you work in a given month and whether or not you’ve applied for other grants.
Example 1: An Efling union member in a full-time job
The maximum grant for education and courses from Efling is 130,000 kr per year. This means that the grant covers about almost half of the typical cost of the studies each year. But if it so happens that you haven’t applied for a grant in three years then you have a right to a 390,000 kr (130,000 x 3) grant. You can use that money for up to 90% of the education costs.
Efiling used to only pay for the theory part of the studies. But in 2022 their rules changed and now the grant can be used for both the theory courses and the in-person practical lessons. Keep in mind that the grant can’t be used to buy books, pay for the final theory or practical test. All this means that it’s not possible to get the licence for free but you can to learn to drive for just 60,000 kr!
Example 2: A VR union member
Let’s take another example from a large union.
VR union members have a right to up to 180,000 kr grant per year for education and courses. That’s a bit over half of the typical cost of learning to drive, every year. In addition VR union members that haven’t used their grant for three years have a right to 540,000 kr. The same rules apply as with Efling; the grant amount can’t be more than 90% of the study cost.
Example 3: Union members in summer jobs
If you are, for example, studying during the winter but spend the summer months of June, July and August working, then you may have the right to a grant from your union. But some unions need you to work 6 months or even 12 months out of the year to accrue grant rights.
However, the bad news is that the grants for only three months work are usually on the lower end.
Example 4: A union member in a part-time job
If you’re in a part time job you usually have a right to a grant proportionate to the amount you work. So a half job might give you half the normal grant.
Conclusion
Your union can possibly pay for part of your driver’s education. Whether and how much you get depends on what union you’re in, how long you’ve been working, how much you work in a given month and whether or not you’ve applied for other grants. Our advice is simply: you should have a look at your union’s website to check your rights.
By the way, it’s not always obvious on union websites whether or not they subsidise your driving studies. Typically learning to drive is categorised under “Studies and courses” or as “Other.” If you’re in any doubt then it’s best to send a message to your union and ask.
Updated 31 October 2024