Driving in Finland vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a secure journey. This comparison between Finland and Portugal reveals notable distinctions, such as overtaking rules and speed limits. While both nations prioritize vehicular safety, their approaches differ significantly, ensuring travelers are well-informed before hitting the road.
Lanes
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
portugal:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
portugal:
Possible