Driving in Finland vs. Russia: Essential Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Finland and Russia, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and practices that shape each nation's driving culture. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, these countries exhibit notable contrasts. This guide will help you stay informed and ensure safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| 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 with specific road signs or markings. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay