Driving in Finland vs. Switzerland: A Safety Comparison
When exploring the roads of Finland and Switzerland, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption tolerance. This comparison highlights essential rules that every traveler must know to navigate these countries with confidence and ensure a secure driving experience.
Lanes
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| 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
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
finland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
finland:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay