Driving in Finland vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the unique regulations of Finland and the Netherlands reveals fascinating contrasts in road usage. From distinct lane markings and speed limits to varied alcohol policies, each country showcases its own approach to vehicular rules. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and compliant experience while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
finland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required