Finland on a UK Licence 2026: Keep Right, Mind the 0.05%

A British driver arriving in Helsinki has very little paperwork to think about and three habits to change: the side of the road, the tyres under the car in winter, and the drinking limit.

Paperwork: the UK licence does the job

GOV.UK’s travel advice for Finland says you need a UK driving licence to drive there. Section 60 of Finland’s Driving Licence Act recognises licences from states that belong to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna convention when they are printed in Latin letters, and the UK belongs to both. Hire companies can be stricter: some ask for a year’s experience, a minimum age or an International Driving Permit, so read the rental terms before you fly. The Driving Permit Checker covers onward countries.

Right-hand traffic from the first junction

The UK keeps left; Finland keeps right. Most slips happen in quiet moments: leaving a fuel station, turning into an empty road, or joining a roundabout that now runs anticlockwise. Give yourself the first hour away from central Helsinki.

Winter tyres and reindeer

The Road Traffic Act requires winter tyres with at least 3.0 mm of tread from November to March whenever weather or road conditions call for them. Hire cars come fitted in season. In Lapland, reindeer stand on unfenced roads and cross in groups, so slow down at the warning signs.

Limits, fees and alcohol

Default limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h elsewhere, with motorways signed up to 120 km/h. Going up to 10 km/h over costs a fixed EUR 70 where the limit is above 60 km/h and EUR 100 where it is 60 or below; beyond 20 km/h over, the fine is set from your income. Finland’s alcohol limit is 0.05%, lower than England’s 80 mg and equal to Scotland’s 50 mg, and GOV.UK notes that a conviction can mean prison. Dial 112 in an emergency.

Check a ticket against the Speeding Fine Calculator and read the Finland driving guide for the rest.

Sources

• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Finland, safety and security (UK licence needed; hire firms may require an IDP; drink-driving and prison): gov.uk
• Finland, Driving Licence Act (Ajokorttilaki 386/2011), s. 60 (licences from Geneva and Vienna convention states in Latin letters): finlex.fi
• Finland, Road Traffic Act (Tieliikennelaki 729/2018), winter tyres (November-March when conditions require; 3.0 mm) and traffic infringement fees: finlex.fi
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Finland profile (50/80/120 km/h; 0.05 g/dl): who.int
• GOV.UK, the drink-drive limit (80 mg; Scotland 50 mg): gov.uk