Driving, car rental and winter roads
Licences, car rental, Finnish road rules, winter driving and tyre rules, wildlife on the roads, where to fuel or charge, and what residents need to know about inspection and vehicle tax.
-
How long is the risk recognition training for a Finnish car licence?
Traficom says the risk recognition training required for a category B licence increases from 8 to 12 hours from 1 October 2026.
-
How do you get an age exception permit to drive a car at 17 in Finland?
Traficom says that for applications from 29 May 2026 the mobility need must occur at least four times a week.
-
What is the underage driver sign that 17-year-olds must use in Finland?
The Finnish Government says that, to help enforce the night driving ban, a 17-year-old driver must mark their vehicle with an underage driver sign from 1 October 2026.
-
Can 17-year-olds drive a car at night in Finland?
Traficom says that from 29 May 2026 the night driving ban applies between 00.00 and 05.00 to all 17-year-olds driving vehicles that require a category B (passenger car) licence.
-
How many Finnish drivers drive too fast for the conditions?
Verkkouutiset reported a Liikenneturva survey in which four in ten motorists in Finland said they had driven too fast for the conditions at least once in the past year, and nearly one in three said they had done so several times.
-
Can you be fined for driving with snow on your car in Finland?
Liikenneturva reminds drivers that, at worst, a snow-covered car can lead to a fine if the vehicle is not safe enough as required by the Vehicles Act.
-
What should tourists know about driving in Lapland in winter?
A Liikenneturva survey found that nearly three in five Lapland residents see tourists' dangerous traffic behaviour as a safety problem, and even more feel that driving tourists cannot handle northern conditions.
-
When do winter speed limits start in Lapland?
The Lapland regional authority announced that roads in Lapland would move to winter and dark-season speed limits from Wednesday 28 October 2026.
-
How is the annual vehicle tax calculated in Finland?
The Ministry of Finance says vehicle tax has two parts.
-
How fast do people drive on Finnish main roads?
Verkkouutiset reported that more than half of drivers speed on main roads.
-
Does Finland use average speed cameras?
Verkkouutiset reported that the police have wanted average speed enforcement in Finland, but its introduction has repeatedly failed because of technical and legal problems.
-
Can you drive a car on a pedestrian street (kävelykatu) in Finland?
Traficom's terminology describes a pedestrian street as a street meant for walking and cycling, where motor traffic is restricted.
-
What is a pyöräkatu (bicycle street) in Finland?
Traficom's cyclist guide says that on a pyöräkatu cyclists set the pace and other vehicles give them free passage, and cyclists ride on the right side of their own lane.
-
Which road users die most often in Finnish road accidents?
Statistics Finland's preliminary figures for January to September 2026 show that of the 136 people killed, 73 were car occupants, 19 pedestrians, 15 motorcyclists, 5 van occupants, 5 moped riders, 5 e-bike riders, 2 riders of light electric vehicles, 2 ordinary cyclists, 1 truck occupant and 9 other road users.
-
Should you use fog lights in heavy snow in Finland?
In poor visibility, yes.
-
Do studded tyres need approval in Finland?
Yes.