How to Get a Category D1 Driving Licence in Iceland?

Iceland bundles something extra into D1: alongside minibus rights, you automatically receive B/Far (BFF) entitlement, the right to drive an 8-passenger vehicle for hire and charge a fare, essentially taxi-adjacent rights, though actual taxi driving requires a separate course. This piece covers what D1 authorizes, the exact training hours, and how it fits into Iceland's broader heavy-license system.

What Category D1 covers

D1 authorizes minibusses designed for up to 16 passengers for commercial use, and the driver may charge a fare. You can also tow a trailer with a total weight of up to 750 kg; for heavier trailers, a D1E is required, with the combined weight of both vehicles not exceeding 12,000 kg.

Minimum age

You need to be 21 and already hold a full driving license to obtain a D1 license.

D1 automatically includes B/Far rights

This matters. Anyone who takes D1 also receives B/Far (BFF) rights, authorization to drive a vehicle carrying up to 8 passengers commercially and to charge for the journey. If you specifically want to drive a taxi, though, you'll additionally need to complete a dedicated taxi driver course (harkaranámskeið) on top of D1 and BFF.

Starting early

You can apply for and begin training for D1 up to 6 months before reaching the minimum age; the rights themselves take effect only once you turn 21.

Training requirements

D1 requires completing the foundational course, Stór ókutæki og Ferðafræði (Large Vehicles and Route Planning), which consists of 10 45-minute lessons plus 8 practical driving lessons. You're expected to have already obtained a general driving license (Category B) before starting.

Documents and the application process

You submit one application form to your local sýslумаður (district commissioner) for each right you're seeking. Once your documentation meets requirements, the commissioner sends your study authorization to Frumherji, the technical body overseeing driver training and testing.

Only one practical exam at a time

You can only sit for one practical heavy-vehicle test at a time. Once the commissioner processes the result, they issue authorization for your next test, sometimes with a gap of several days between each.

D1E: adding a heavier trailer

If you're already 21 and hold a full driving license, you can pursue D1E. In addition to the standard D1 theory, D1E candidates also take three additional lessons specifically on trailers for large vehicles (Eftirvagnar stórra ókutækja), as part of the extended curriculum.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission vehicle typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Where D1 sits relative to full Category D

Full Category D authorizes buses carrying more than 8 passengers and requires you to be 23, actually closer to D1's age of 21 than the wider 3-year gap common in many other countries. Full Category D requires 12 practical driving lessons if you don't already hold Category C, or just 8 if you do.

Other heavy-vehicle categories, for context

Iceland's staged heavy-vehicle system runs C1 and C1E from 18, C and CE from 21, and taxis, ambulances, and modified jeeps (B/Far specifically) as a standalone category from 20. D1 and D sit at the upper end of this age structure.

Validity

Icelandic D1 licenses follow standard administrative validity periods and are subject to periodic medical fitness requirements.

Tips that actually help

• Remember, D1 already gives you BFF commercial 8-passenger rights; you likely don't need a separate application.
• Start your application and training up to six months before turning 21 to be ready right at the minimum age.
• If you're aiming specifically for taxi work, budget for the separate harkaranámskeið course too.
• Expect only one practical heavy-vehicle test at a time, with possible gaps between each.

Where this fits going forward

D1 in Iceland offers a broad set of rights bundled into a single application, useful for anyone pursuing work in passenger transport. If your plans involve professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see which employers are hiring on FastDr, as well as alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Iceland and license eligibility pages cover the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by driving school in Iceland. Always confirm current requirements with official Icelandic sources before making decisions. and Samgöngustofa. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.