The Icelandic government has introduced a draft bill aimed at cracking down on illegal off-road driving, a problem that has led to landscape damage and environmental concerns in recent years. The proposal, reported by RÚV, would expand the powers of authorities and impose harsher penalties on offenders.
If enacted, the bill would amend the Nature Conservation Act and other environmental protection rules. Changes include new measures for infrastructure in protected areas, the potential for land appropriation to manage visitor access, and clarified procedures for protecting marine environments.
One major proposal is to allow the Nature Conservation Agency of Iceland (Náttúruverndarstofnun) to repair serious damage caused by off-road driving and require those responsible to pay the full costs of those repairs. According to RÚV, individuals could face bills running into several million kroner if the new rules take effect.
The draft law also introduces a power for police to temporarily seize vehicles on the spot in cases of illegal off-road driving. Currently, authorities can only confiscate vehicles following a court order, limiting the ability of police to intervene rapidly.
Offenders who cause severe harm to the environment would face tougher and standardised penalties, aligning sanctions with those in other environmental laws. Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson noted that repeated gross violations, particularly by tourists, have underscored the need for stricter measures, calling illegal off-road driving “unacceptable and [something that] must not be tolerated.”
The proposed changes are now open for public comment on the government’s consultation portal until 10 November 2026.
Background
Sources
- Stjórnarráð Íslands (Government of Iceland) in Icelandic
- RÚV (first reported) in Icelandic
