Driving on the well-maintained roads of Finland is a pleasure. However, it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the driving culture beforehand.

When you arrive, make use of local transport with its timetables and routes. And if you want to not depend on anyone, come in your own car. It is good to be free, but are you ready to move around Finland by car?

Ah, the roads
The length of highways and inter-regional roads alone in Finland is ca. 80,000 kilometers. Despite the difficult climate – precipitation, cold, temperature fluctuations – roads in Finland are good. In other words, you will not run into a hole in the hub. However, this also applies to local unpaved roads – they are also well maintained.

No matter how well the roads are cared for, but winter is winter. And from early December to late March, winter tires are mandatory. Winter on the roads can last longer than the calendar: it all depends on the weather.

The peculiarity of national roads are frequent warning signs “Moose” and “Deer”. And not only in Lapland – wild animals of the reindeer family are found all over Suomi. Moving from forest to forest in search of food, they have to cross highways. A meeting with an animal, weighing up to half a ton, can end badly for both sides.

If moose activity peaks in late autumn, there is no special system for white-tailed deer movements. A “Moose” or “Deer” sign is always a reason to double your attention. Especially at dusk or in fog. Don’t make the statistics worse: there are already a couple thousand accidents a year in Finland involving deer or elk.

There will be no space speeds
Speeding is a serious violation, punishable by a fine. Speeding violations are monitored by police officers and video cameras, which are warned by special signs. Speed limits in Finland are reasonable. Moreover, they put up signs quite often. You will definitely be warned, just do not miss the sign.

The amount of the fine in Finland depends on income. An attempt to offer money to a policeman “privately” can lead straight to the station: a bribe is a more serious crime than speeding. For those who want to have a breeze in Finland, there are summer and large highways: you can gain up to 120 kilometers per hour there. In winter, the signs say 100 kilometers per hour.

You have to watch the speed in populated areas with a special care. You have to keep up with speed in cities – not more than 50 km/h, but there are a lot of areas where limitations are more strict: 40 and even 30. Be careful: security cameras are installed quite often in the cities.

Let there be light
Low-beam headlights in Finland must always be on. And if you flash your headlights at an oncoming driver, it’s not a warning about the police on the road. It’s a reminder: “Bro, you forgot to turn your lights on!” Feel free to join this traffic game, and the prize will be a gratefully raised hand from a driver who might otherwise have been fined.

No one will run up and fill the car, all gas stations in the country of Suomi are self-service. Pay attention to what is written on the column: in “automat”, “express” and the like you have to pay on the spot, and where there is an inscription “cash register”, you have to go to a store or cafe at the gas station. You can explain yourself in English – almost everyone in Finland knows the language – by giving out the petrol station number.

Most gas stations are automatic and only accept bank cards, so be prepared for that. And do not make a mistake when calculating.

Driving in Finland
In Finland, most people get their driving license already in high school, at the age of 18. The local driving schools teach good quality, and only those who pass a strict exam get a driving license. Thus, driving skills in the country are at high level.

The only noticeable disadvantage of the “Finnish style” is the late turn signal. When preparing to overtake, be vigilant: while the driver is going straight, he may not see you – your car will be in his “blind spot”. And he will turn on a turn signal simultaneously with the maneuver, and just there he will make you his side. However, it does not happen often, but still it is worth to be attentive.

Pay up at once
If you are a disciplined and careful driver, driving in Finland is a pleasure. But if you do break the rules, and you get a ticket, try to pay it in Finland. To do this, just go to any bank.