Driving in Finland vs. Philippines: Key Safety Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, Finland and the Philippines showcase distinct regulations and practices that ensure safety behind the wheel. From varying speed limits and overtaking rules to documentation requirements, these countries present unique driving landscapes. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
finland:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
finland:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
philippines:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
finland:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance