Driving Differences: Finland vs. Germany Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is crucial for ensuring your safety on the road. This comparison between Finland and Germany reveals distinct contrasts, from lane markings and speed limits to alcohol limits and vehicle documentation. Familiarizing yourself with these driving practices will enhance your confidence while navigating foreign streets.
Lanes
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
germany:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
germany:
Common
Signals
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on rear license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
germany:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
germany:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
germany:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay