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Finland Traffic Rules

Finland traffic rules

Are you going on holiday to Finland? Then keep in mind that different traffic rules may apply than in other European countries. We have listed the most important traffic rules. Among other things, those for traffic jams, mobile calls and the speed limit.

Traffic rules in general

Some important general traffic rules are mentioned here, including a number of traffic regulations that may deviate from your home country.

Drive safely

Driving under the influence
The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5 per mille.
Traces of drugs in the blood are not allowed.

Mobile phone

Drivers of motor vehicles are prohibited from holding a mobile phone while driving.
Hands-free calling is allowed.

Safe walking

Outside built-up areas, pedestrians are obliged to walk on the left side of the road as much as possible if a pedestrian path is missing, except in special situations or when this poses a danger to them.
In Finland, anyone walking along the road in the dark is required to wear a reflector, clothing with reflective stripes or a safety vest.

Basic traffic rules

You have to drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Priority

At intersections, drivers from the right have right of way, unless indicated otherwise by road signs.
Drivers who enter a paved road from an unpaved road must let all traffic (including pedestrians) on the paved road take precedence.
Trams and buses always have right of way.

Roundabout

Almost all roundabouts in Finland have priority signs for drivers who want to enter the roundabout. So if you want to enter a roundabout, you must give way to drivers already on the roundabout. (If there are no priority signs at a roundabout, the rules for an ordinary intersection apply.)
Only when you leave the roundabout, you must indicate direction to the right.

To catch up

Moving trams must be overtaken on the right, unless there is insufficient space on the right. On one-way roads, a tram may be overtaken on the left.
Drivers are only allowed to pass a stationary tram if there is a traffic island for passengers. If not, they have to wait.
If there are traffic islands on either side of a tram stop, drivers are not allowed to drive on the rails between the traffic islands.

Parking

It is forbidden to park on the left side of the road (against the direction of travel). You may park on the left in a one-way street.
In most cities you have to pay for a parking space. In some places parking meters are available, in other places a parking disc must be placed behind the windscreen.
In some cities the streets are cleaned on fixed days. This schedule is signposted so drivers know on which days they cannot park on a particular street. Vehicles that are parked here after all will be towed away.

Audible tones

Outside built-up areas, drivers are allowed to give sound signals or a light signal at blind bends and intersections.
In built-up areas, sounding signals are only permitted if there is a direct risk of collision.

Particularities

Let the engine run
The engine of a stationary motor vehicle should not run for more than 2 minutes without reason. This rule does not apply to waiting in traffic. At temperatures below -15 ° C, drivers are allowed to warm up the engine for 4 minutes before driving off.

Wild crossing

Moose and reindeer crossing are a road safety hazard on some roads. Any collision with a large game animal must be reported via 112.

Traffic rules car

Finland traffic rules car

Lighting

The use of dipped beam or daytime running light (including LED) during the day is mandatory.
Note: In tunnels, in low light and in poor visibility, daytime running light is not sufficient and dipped headlights must be used.

Children

Children who are less than 1.35 m tall must be carried in an approved and appropriate child restraint or on an approved and appropriate booster seat.
If a child is transported with the back to the front in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated.
If child seats are not available, children between the ages of 3 and 15 may also be transported in the back of the car in a seat belt. Children under the age of 3 are not allowed to travel in a vehicle without a child seat.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that all children under 15 years of age are properly and safely transported.

Cargo

Make sure that the load is securely and securely attached and that the rear lights and license plate are clearly visible.
Cargo protruding from the front must be marked with a white flag (in the dark with a white reflector).
At the rear, cargo that protrudes more than 1 m must be marked with a red flag (in the dark with a red rear light and a red reflector).

To tow

Towing is only allowed on motorways and motorways up to the next exit.
The length of the tow rope or bar must be a minimum of 3 m and a maximum of 6 m.
A flag should be attached to the center of the tow rope or bar to make the cable or bar more visible.
A maximum speed of 60 km / h applies when towing.

Traffic rules caravan and trailer

Finland traffic rules caravan and trailer

Dimensions, maxima

Width combination (excluding mirrors): 2.60 m
Height combination: 4.40 m
Trailer length (including drawbar): 12 m (A)
Length combination: 18.75 m (A)

A: Any bicycle carrier on the back is included in the length.

Mirrors

Cars towing a caravan or other trailer must always be equipped with a left and a right exterior mirror.

Traffic rules motorcycle

Finland traffic rules motorcycle

Helmet

The driver and passenger must wear a helmet.
On a trike or quad, wearing a helmet is mandatory unless the vehicle has a closed cabin and the seats are fitted with safety belts.

Lighting

The use of low beam during the day is mandatory.

Passengers

It is forbidden to transport more than one passenger.
It is forbidden to transport children under the age of 13 on the back of the motorcycle. In addition, children may only be transported by motorcycle if they can reach the footrests with their feet.
In a sidecar, children up to 12 years old must be transported in a child seat suitable for them.
The sides of the sidecar must be high enough to reach the child’s chest height.

Trailer

It is permitted to tow a trailer.

To overtake

Note: With a traffic sign indicating a overtaking prohibition, motorcycles may not overtake vehicles with more than two wheels. However, engines may be overtaken.

Traffic jams

Motorcyclists may carefully drive past a row of stationary cars (not slow-moving cars) of a few hundred meters.
Driving on an emergency lane, bus lane or cycle path is prohibited at all times.
It is also forbidden to pass a traffic jam on a (fast) road in the middle passage (Rettungsgasse).

Particularities

Backpack on the chest

It is forbidden to ride a motorcycle with a rucksack on the chest if it impedes the movement or visibility of the driver.

Traffic rules moped

Finland traffic rules moped

Helmet

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for the driver and any passenger.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that any passenger under 15 wears a helmet.

Lighting

Mopeds must also use low beam during the day.

Passengers

A maximum of 1 passenger may be carried on a moped or light-moped in a designated seat.
Children under the age of 10 may only be transported in a child seat. The child must wear a helmet and the wheels must be protected in such a way that the child’s hands or feet cannot get caught in the spokes.

Traffic rules bicycle

Finland traffic rules bicycle

Helmet

As a cyclist you are legally obliged to wear a helmet. However, you will not be fined if you do not wear a helmet.
The bicycle helmet must comply with the European standard EN 1078 and be provided with a CE mark.

Mobile phone

Cyclists are prohibited from holding a mobile phone while driving.
Hands-free calling is allowed.

Lighting and other requirements

Bicycles must have fixed lights. The light on the front of the bicycle should be white or yellow and the color red on the back of the bicycle.
The bicycle must have a white reflector in front and a red rear.
Yellow or orange reflectors must be fitted on the pedals.
The bicycle must also be equipped with properly functioning brakes and a bell.

Passengers

Children may only be transported in a child seat on the bicycle. The legs must also be sufficiently protected.
A person aged 15 or older may transport a child aged 10 or younger.
A person of 18 years or older may transport two children, provided they are not older than 6 years and the bicycle has two brakes.

Trailer

It is allowed to ride on a bicycle with a trailer attached.

Cycling under the influence

If a cyclist is visibly intoxicated and can no longer control the bicycle properly, a fine may be imposed.

Place on the road

When there is a cycle path, cyclists must use it.
Children up to 12 years old are allowed to cycle on the sidewalk.
On combined cycle / pedestrian paths, the section intended for cyclists must be used or, if no separation is provided, the speed must be adjusted so as not to endanger pedestrians.

Winter tires

Finland winter tires

Mandatory in the winter period – The use of winter tires is mandatory from December 1 to March 1. This period can be extended if weather conditions so require.
A braked trailer must also be fitted with winter tires during the same period.
Tires with the designation M + S are considered a winter tire. We recommend that you use tires that have both the M + S designation and a snowflake symbol.
The prescribed minimum tread depth for winter tires is 3 mm, but the recommended tread depth in winter conditions is 5 mm.
In the Finnish part of Lapland, around the Arctic Circle, winter tires are mandatory from mid-October to the end of April.

Snow chains

Permitted – Temporary use of snow chains is only permitted if the road conditions require it.
Drivers must avoid damaging the road surface with snow chains.

Studded tires

Allowed in the winter period – Studded tires are allowed from November 1 to the first Monday after Easter.
If studded tires are used, they must be mounted on all wheels and also on the wheels of any trailer.