Destinations / Finland
Driving in Finland as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Finland drives on the right with mandatory daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and winter tyres are required in the cold months.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Finland expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h motorways in summer |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in EUR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Lights | Headlights on at all times. |
|---|---|
| Tyres | Winter tyres mandatory in winter conditions. |
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit. |
| Roads | Watch for elk/reindeer on rural roads. |
On the road in Finland
At the pump
Unleaded 95/98 petrol and diesel are sold at mostly self-service, card-operated stations; stations are sparse in the north, so refuel before long rural stretches.
After a crash
Call 112 immediately for emergencies; police attendance is required for injuries or major damage, and drivers normally complete a joint accident report form for insurers.
Sources: rac.co.uk · visitfinland.com · expat-finland.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Finland?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Finland drives on the right with mandatory daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP, and winter tyres are required in the cold months.
Which translation format is used for Finland?
Finland uses the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Finland ask for a translation?
Helsinki desks ask for an IDP for non-EU licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Finland?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.