Driving in Finland vs Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations in Finland and Turkey, drivers will encounter notable distinctions that impact their travel experience. From speed limits and lane usage to documentation requirements, understanding these variances is essential for safe navigation. Discover the key contrasts that ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges