Driving in Austria vs. Finland: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Austria and Finland, distinct variations in traffic regulations and protocols can significantly impact your travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance for drivers. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
finland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
finland:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
finland:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
finland:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
finland:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
finland:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory for certain situations |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Alcohol
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
finland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay