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    How long can you drive with a foreign licence after moving to Finland?

    When you need to switch to a Finnish licence.

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    Short answer

    It depends on where your licence comes from. Traficom says an EU or EEA licence remains valid in Finland for as long as it is valid. A licence from a Contracting State of the Geneva or Vienna conventions is valid for two years after you settle permanently in Finland. After that you must exchange it for a Finnish licence to keep driving.

    Transport, roads, car rental

    Why

    1. Traficom says EU and EEA licences are valid for their validity period.
    2. Traficom gives two years for licences from Contracting States.
    3. The period starts when you settle permanently in Finland, according to Traficom.

    Details

    Licences from some other countries may require you to take a Finnish driving test before you can get a Finnish licence. Traficom lists the rules by country.

    Tip

    Apply for the exchange well before the two years are up. The process takes months.

    What may differ

    Your situation, such as the type of residence, can affect the rules. Check Traficom's guidance for your case.

    Common misconception

    A foreign licence is valid in Finland for as long as you live here.

    What actually happens

    Licences from outside the EU and EEA are usually valid for two years after you settle.

    People also ask

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    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Licence rules depend on your country and situation, so check Traficom 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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