Driving in Estonia vs. Finland: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Estonia and Finland, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions arise in speed limits, traffic signals, and alcohol consumption rules, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your travel safety and ensure a smoother journey in either country.
Speeds Limits
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
finland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
finland:
80-100 km/h
Signals
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not commonly used |
Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; 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: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
finland:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
finland:
Not commonly used
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not generally allowed |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
finland:
Not generally allowed
Documentation
Estonia | 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Alcohol
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
finland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
finland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact through 112 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | 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
estonia:
112
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
Estonia | Finland | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; fines based on income |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | 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 | Yes | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay