Finland

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway 120 km/h in summer, 100 km/h in winter; outside built-up areas 80 km/h without a sign.
• Alcohol: 0.5 ‰ – also for novice drivers, but breath tests are frequent.
• Lights on day and night (daytime running lights are enough during the day).
• Winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March when there are winter conditions.
• No road tolls, but fines can reach several thousand euros.
• At junctions without signs the vehicle from the right has priority.

Seat belts and child seats

Everyone must wear a seat belt, also in the back. A child shorter than 135 cm may travel only in a child car seat.

Traffic lights

As in most EU countries: official sources point out no differences in traffic lights. A bigger surprise are junctions without lights or signs – see below.

Helmet not compulsory

Cyclists – helmet recommended but not compulsory.

Helmet compulsory

• motorcycle (also with a sidecar)
• moped
• tricycle and quadricycle

Compulsory equipment in the car

• warning triangle

The Finnish Road Safety Council (Liikenneturva) also recommends a high-visibility vest.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

From 1 November to 31 March you must have winter tyres if the weather or road conditions require it. Studded tyres may be used in the same period, and outside it – when the weather justifies it.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Phone only with a hands-free kit – holding it in your hand is banned.
• Drugs: driving after taking any drugs or narcotic substances is banned.
• Separate lanes for buses and taxis.
• You must not fill up with fuel not meant for cars (e.g. heating oil) – you risk a very high fine. There are no LPG stations in Finland.
• Use the horn only in danger; parking on pavements is banned.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

Roads, motorways and bridges in Finland are free – there are no vignettes or toll booths.

Documents and insurance

• a driving licence from an EU/EEA country is valid during a temporary stay
• vehicle registration certificate and third-party motor insurance policy; no Green Card needed (EU)
• if you live outside Finland, you may use a car with foreign number plates there for a maximum of 6 months; don’t lend it to anyone living in Finland
• land border crossings with Russia are closed

What to watch out for

• At junctions without signs (there are a lot of them) the vehicle from the right always has priority.
• Elk, and reindeer in the north: slow down outside towns, especially at dusk. Report any collision with a large animal on 112.
• Fines can be very high – even several thousand euros; the police often carry out breath tests.
• After a collision or theft, call the police – you need their report for compensation.
• Failing to give way to pedestrians and cyclists is punished severely.

Sources

• Your Europe – Road rules: Finland
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Finland (in Polish)
• Traficom – towing a trailer
• Liikenneturva – tips for drivers in Finland
• Last updated: September 2026.