Driving in Finland vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Finland and Sweden, where unique regulations and road etiquettes shape the journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signal protocols, each designed to promote road safety. Understanding these contrasts ensures a secure driving experience while navigating the scenic routes of these Nordic nations.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in finland is the Right Side of the road
88
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in finland is 88
1.77 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for finland is 1.77 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
finland:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Speeds Limits
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow | |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not common in Sweden. | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. | |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. | |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. | |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
finland:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
finland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
finland:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
finland:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
finland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
finland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
finland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
finland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
finland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not generally allowed. | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. | |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
finland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
finland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
finland:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
finland:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | |
| 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 | Liability insurance mandatory. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Annual inspection required. | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
finland:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
finland:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
finland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
finland:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
finland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
finland:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
finland:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
finland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
finland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Finland and Sweden, where unique regulations and road etiquettes shape the journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signal protocols, each designed to promote road safety. Understanding these contrasts ensures a secure driving experience while navigating the scenic routes of these Nordic nations.
Alcohol
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
finland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
finland:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
finland:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
finland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
finland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
finland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
finland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
finland:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
finland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory. | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
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| Finland | Sweden | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | SEK 1500, points on license. | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Common; fines can be issued directly. | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
finland:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
finland:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.