Driving in Finland vs Uzbekistan: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Finland and Uzbekistan, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol restrictions, each country's unique approach highlights significant variations. Familiarizing yourself with these differences can greatly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
finland:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
finland:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Uzbek and 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
finland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
finland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
finland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 102 |
| 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: General Emergency
finland:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
finland:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines