As a foreigner on Finnish roads

Liabilities associated with operating a vehicle

First of all, you should check if your foreign driving licence gives you a right to drive in Finland. Before driving off, it would be a good idea for you to familiarise yourself with Finnish traffic rules and traffic signs, the local driving culture, weather conditions and insurance practices, among other things.

Finnish traffic rules have their special local features. Unlike in some areas of the United States, for example, you are not allowed to turn right when the light is red in Finland. Parking is only permitted in places or areas set aside for this. You cannot park wherever you like on the street even outside the cities as, for example, you must leave a distance of five metres between your car and a pedestrian crossing. See the Road Traffic act.  (External link)

Vehicle inspections, taxation and tyres

If you own a vehicle in Finland, you have to pay vehicle tax (External link) and the car must be inspected (External link). The vehicle must also be registered (External link) and you must keep the registration certificate in the vehicle while driving.

If so required by weather or road surface conditions, winter tyres must be used from 1 November to 31 March. Studded tyres can be used from 1 November to 31 March and also during other periods if so required by weather or road surface conditions. Read more about winter tyres (External link).

The legislation also contains provisions on the tyre tread. The minimum tread depths are 3.0 mm in winter tyres and 1.6 mm in summer tyres.