Finland Driving Licence 2026
The Complete Guide

Finland drives on the right side of the road. Overtake only on the left. At roundabouts, traffic already in the roundabout has priority unless otherwise signed. Left-hand drive vehicles are standard.

The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (0.5‰). Aggravated DUI at 1.2‰ carries up to 2 years imprisonment and licence revocation. Finland's limit is less strict than Norway and Sweden (both 0.02%), but penalties escalate quickly for higher levels.

Winter tyres are mandatory from November 1 to March 31. Minimum tread depth: 3mm. Since December 2024, tyres must bear the Alpine/3PMSF snowflake symbol — M+S marking alone is no longer sufficient. Studded tyres are allowed November to March.

Dipped headlights (lähivalot) must be used at all times while driving, day and night, year-round. This applies to all vehicles. Daytime running lights alone may not be sufficient on older vehicles — check your vehicle's compliance.

Serious traffic offences are punished with income-based day-fines, calculated as half of daily disposable income. This system means fines are proportional to wealth. Minor speeding (1–20 km/h over) uses fixed fines (€100–200), but 21+ km/h over triggers day-fines.

New drivers enter a 2-year probation period. During probation, stricter rules apply and two offences can trigger additional training or suspension. Mandatory slippery track training (liukasrataharjoittelu) must be completed. The full licence is issued after the probation period.

Finland has ~1,500–1,800 moose/elk collisions per year, causing 1–3 fatalities. Reindeer roam freely in northern Finland (roughly north of Oulu). Watch for animal warning signs, reduce speed at dawn/dusk, and use high beams when safe to spot animals earlier.

All occupants must wear seatbelts in all seats (front and rear). Fine: €70 per person. Children under 135 cm must use an appropriate child restraint system. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers under 15 are properly restrained.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited. Fine: €100 fixed penalty. Only hands-free systems are permitted. This includes texting, browsing, and holding the phone for calls.

Finland records ~1,500–1,800 moose/elk collisions annually, causing 1–3 fatalities. An adult moose weighs 300–700 kg and stands at windshield height, making collisions extremely dangerous. Peak risk: May–June and September–November, especially at dawn and dusk. Watch for moose warning signs and reduce speed in forested areas.

In northern Finland (roughly north of Oulu), reindeer roam freely across roads year-round. Unlike moose, reindeer travel in herds — if you see one, expect more. They are particularly unpredictable and may run alongside or toward vehicles. Reduce speed significantly in reindeer warning zones.

Finnish winters bring extensive ice on roads, including treacherous black ice (musta jää) that is nearly invisible. Even with mandatory winter tyres, stopping distances can be 5–10 times longer than on dry roads. Mandatory slippery track training prepares new drivers, but experienced drivers must also exercise extreme caution.

Heavy snowfall can rapidly reduce visibility and create snowdrifts across roads. Blizzard conditions (lumimyrsky) can make driving extremely hazardous. Speed limits are seasonally reduced on main roads and motorways. Carry a snow brush, ice scraper, and emergency supplies in winter.

In northern Finland (Lapland), the polar night (kaamos) means near-total darkness for weeks in mid-winter. Even in southern Finland, winter days have only 6–7 hours of daylight. Mandatory headlights help, but fatigue and reduced visibility remain major risks. Reflectors on pedestrians and cyclists are legally required.

Spring thaw causes frost heave (routavaurio) that damages road surfaces, creating potholes and uneven pavement. Temporary speed limits may be posted on affected roads. This is particularly common on rural roads and less-maintained routes. Check road condition reports before long journeys in spring.