Driving in Finland

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. The use of seat belts is compulsory for all passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 50 mg. Speed limits are as follows: 50 kph (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80 kph (50 mph) or 100 kph (62 mph) outside built-up areas, 120 kph (74 mph) on expressways, and 80 kph (50 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer travelling outside built-up areas or on expressways.

Approaches to priority roads are denoted by a sign showing a red triangle on a yellow background. In another exception to the priority-on-the-right rule, trams always have priority.

Headlights must be used at all times. Use of horns in towns and villages is illegal except in the case of immediate and extreme danger. Otherwise, horns and headlights should be used when poor visibility demands them.

Passing is allowed on the right if you are travelling a multi-lane road, but be careful not to cross the white line which indicates the bicycle and pedestrian lane.

Police are not empowered to collect fines on the spot; but the fines can be very high and are based on your income level. The minimum fine is €130 but theres no maximum limit, which means that you may be liable for extremely high fines if you have a high income.

Parking

Parking lights must be on if you're parked in a dimly lit public spot. Wheel clamps aren't used, but illegally parked vehicles may be towed.

Licence

Foreign licences are accepted for a duration of one year, after which a Finnish licence must be obtained.

Fuel

Some stations are open 24 hours, and almost all have automatic pumps that accept cash and major credit cards. Leaded petrol is not available; however, an unleaded substitute with a special additive is. Unleaded regular petrol has an octane rating of 95; the octane rating of super is 98. Unleaded petrol is known as lyijytön polttoaine.