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    How do drink-drive limits in Finland compare with Sweden, Norway and Estonia?

    Why a cross-border trip needs extra care.

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    Short answer

    Finland's drink-drive limit is 0.5 per mille. Yle has reported that the neighbouring countries Sweden, Norway and Estonia have a lower limit of 0.2 per mille. If you drive across the border or take the car ferry to Tallinn or Stockholm, the stricter limit applies as soon as you are in that country.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    Why

    1. Yle reported that Sweden, Norway and Estonia use a 0.2 per mille limit.
    2. Minilex gives Finland's limit as 0.5 per mille.
    3. The rules of the country you drive in always apply.

    Details

    If you drank on the ferry, you may still be over the stricter limit when you drive off the ship.

    Tip

    On a car ferry, wait to drink until you no longer need to drive.

    What may differ

    Limits can change. Check the current rules of each country before you travel.

    Common misconception

    All Nordic countries have the same drink-drive limit as Finland.

    What actually happens

    Sweden and Norway use 0.2 per mille, lower than Finland's 0.5.

    People also ask

    • What is aggravated drink driving in Finland?
    • What is the drink-drive limit in Finland?
    • Where does the ferry to Tallinn leave from in Helsinki?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Traffic rules and fees change, so check Traficom, Liikenneturva or the police before you drive.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    • Do foreign cars need a country sticker in Finland?

      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland says a nationality sign is required on foreign cars in Finland, unless the vehicle is registered in a country that is party to the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention and carries EU number plates with the country code.

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    • What colour are motorway and main road signs in Finland?

      The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto) says main roads in Finland have blue direction signs with white text, while motorways have green signs with white text.

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    • Does E10 petrol increase fuel consumption?

      VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland tested six used E10-compatible cars from model years 1999–2010 in laboratory conditions in 2011.

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    • Which petrol should you use in Finland, 95E10 or 98E5?

      Finnish pumps sell two main petrol grades: 95E10, with an octane rating of at least 95 and up to 10% ethanol, and 98E5, with at least 98 octane and up to 5% ethanol.

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