Driving Differences: Finland vs Romania Explained
When exploring the roads of Finland and Romania, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and safety measures. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique alcohol restrictions, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a smooth journey. Prepare yourself for a safer driving experience by comparing these two countries' road rules.
Lanes
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
finland:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist