Driving in Croatia vs. Finland: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations in Croatia and Finland, notable distinctions emerge that can significantly impact your journey. From speed limits and right-of-way rules to documentation requirements, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe driving experience abroad. Explore how these two countries differ in their approach to road safety and compliance.
Lanes
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
finland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
finland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
finland:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
finland:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
finland:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
finland:
Not generally allowed
Documentation
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Alcohol
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
finland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Test Refusal
croatia:
Can result in license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay