Driving in Colombia vs. Finland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Finland, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, emergency contact numbers, and the use of variable speed zones. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
finland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
finland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
finland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
finland:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
finland:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not commonly used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
finland:
Not commonly used
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
finland:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory for certain situations |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Results in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
finland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
finland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later