Driving Differences: Finland vs. Spain Explained
When navigating the roads of Finland and Spain, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences emerge in areas such as speed limits, lane usage, and penalties for violations. Familiarizing yourself with these driving customs will enhance your travel experience and promote road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
finland:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.