Guide to Driving In Finland - Drive Safe in Finland

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Finland and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 or 100 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Finland on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Finland is EUR €
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Finland 1.76 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Finland

Driving in Finland
Pocket guide to driving in Finland
Profile:
Finland
Helsinki
EUR €
Driving in Finland
SPEED: (kph)
50
80 or 100
120
Speed limit in Finland
Holiday:
Rush hour in Finland
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Finland
FUEL:
1.76
1.84
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Finland
See Fuel Price in Finland for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Finland
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Finland
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Finland
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Finland
PHONES:
Yes
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Finland
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Finland
See here for current child seats law in Finland

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Finland?

In Finland driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. You can overtake on the right but only if it is a road with multiple lanes. You need to give way to vehicles only on the right unless it is a tram, as trams always have priority.  In other situations rights of way on approaches to priority roads are denoted by a sign showing a red triangle on a yellow background.
Finland Driving 

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.84

€ 1.76

Jan , 2024

€ 1.86

€ 1.76

Dec , 2023

€ 1.92

€ 1.81

Nov , 2023

€ 1.96

€ 1.87

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Parking is straightforward in Finland.  Finland uses parking discs for parking and signs tell you when they are needed. There are parking bays denoted by a sign with a big 'P' on it. Another sign will tell you of restrictions that apply. Elsewhere parking is allowed just about anywhere as long as you are not causing an obstruction. If your car is parked in an area where it is hard to see and could be hit then you must put your lights on. Cars must park facing in the direction of the traffic and at least five metres from any pedestrian crossings or intersections.
 
Paid parking
 
Look out for the parking bays annotated with a 'P' signs will tell you how long you can park there and what the cost will be. There are parking lots where you can you park in the open air or in winter, park in an enclosed garage. 
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is done by the police but generally only if you're causing an obstruction or overstaying your ticket. You'll get a fine payable at the local police station, bank or online. 
 
Disabled parking
 
Finland does follow the European Blue Badge scheme. Parking places which are reserved for disabled people are marked with a wheelchair symbol.
 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency services number is 112.

The British Embassy is at Itäinen Puistotie 17 in Helsinki and can be contacted on +358 (0)9 2286 5100. The website is http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/en/

The American Embassy is at Itäinen Puistotie 14 B in Helsinki and can be contacted on +358-9-616 250. The website is https://fi.usembassy.gov/

What to do in an emergency

If you have a problem with your car you should phone the number given to on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car. If you are driving your own vehicle, use your emergency assistance company's partner in Finland.
 
In the event of an accident you should call the emergency services on 112. You will need a report from the police for your insurance company. Whilst awaiting their arrival, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of witnesses. If it is safe to do so, don't move the vehicles.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Unleaded petrol - lyijytön polttoaine
  • Where is ...? - Missä on ...?
  • Bus - Bussi
  • Passport -Passi
  • Airport- Lentokenttä
  • I have broken down - Olen eriteltynä
  • Where is the police station? - Missä on poliisiasema?
  • I have a flat tyre - Minulla on rengasrikko
  • I have been in an accident - Olen ollut onnettomuudessa
  • Where can I buy petrol? - Mistä voin ostaa bensiiniä? 

Finland Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.84

€ 1.76

Jan , 2024

€ 1.86

€ 1.76

Dec , 2023

€ 1.92

€ 1.81

Nov , 2023

€ 1.96

€ 1.87

Oct , 2023

€ 2.04

€ 2.03

Sep , 2023

€ 1.97

€ 1.99

Aug , 2023

€ 1.83

€ 1.91

Jul , 2023

€ 1.93

€ 2.03

Jun , 2023

€ 1.76

€ 1.89

May , 2023

€ 1.91

€ 2.03

Apr , 2023

€ 2.04

€ 2.04

Mar , 2023

€ 1.97

€ 1.93

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.84 1.76
Jan , 2024 1.86 1.76
Dec , 2023 1.92 1.81
Nov , 2023 1.96 1.87
Oct , 2023 2.04 2.03
Sep , 2023 1.97 1.99
Aug , 2023 1.83 1.91
Jul , 2023 1.93 2.03
Jun , 2023 1.76 1.89
May , 2023 1.91 2.03
Apr , 2023 2.04 2.04
Mar , 2023 1.97 1.93

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Finland and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 08/12/2019

    tohis

    May I provide some corrections: - A speed limit of 90 km/h doesn't exist in Finland. The limit in rural roads is either 80 or 100 km/h. - Speed camera warnings in your nav or phone are legal in Finland (however radar detectors are not).
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