Driving Differences: Finland vs. Italy Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe travel. This comparison highlights the striking contrasts between Finland and Italy, from speed limits and lane markings to documentation requirements. Whether you're navigating urban streets or rural landscapes, being informed can significantly enhance your driving experience and ensure your safety.
Lanes
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
italy:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
italy:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days