Driving in Åland Islands means right-hand traffic with rules that may differ from home. Several rules catch tourists off guard every year. Full guide with penalty calculator below.
Åland Islands Keeps Right-Hand Traffic Into 2026 Too
Data verified:
3 min readÅland Islands drives on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age is 18. The general emergency number is 112. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC.
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Åland Islands keeps its traffic on the right, the same convention used across mainland Finland and most of continental Europe. One number, 112, connects drivers to police, fire and ambulance services anywhere on the archipelago, free of charge from any phone. Visitors arriving from a left-hand-traffic country should take extra care at roundabouts during the first day behind the wheel.
Åland has its own road traffic law (Vägtrafiklag 2023:108), which sets 50 km/h inside built-up areas and 70 km/h outside them unless a sign says otherwise. Drink-driving is an offence from 0.5 promille (0.05%), according to Åland’s own traffic offences law.
Emergency Numbers in Åland Islands
General Emergency: 112 | Police: 112
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Åland Islands, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Åland Islands
Åland has its own road traffic law (Vägtrafiklag 2023:108), which sets 50 km/h inside built-up areas and 70 km/h outside them unless a sign says otherwise.
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Speeding fines in Åland Islands vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the right side of the road. Overtake on the left. At roundabouts, traffic circulates anticlockwise: give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, which approach from your left, unless signs say otherwise.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
Åland’s traffic offences law (2023:109) treats driving with 0.5 promille of alcohol in the blood, or 0.05%, as drink-driving, and from 0.8 promille it counts as aggravated. Penalties for drink-driving include heavy fines, licence confiscation, and potential imprisonment.
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
When winter road conditions apply between November and March, cars on Åland must use winter tyres or equivalent equipment, under the Åland road traffic regulation.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm, according to Åland’s road traffic regulation.
Studded tyres are allowed from 15 October to 15 April, and outside that window when winter conditions require them.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
Parking and Fuel
Parking rules vary by city. Look for designated parking areas and always check signs for time limits and payment requirements.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Practical Driving Tips for Åland Islands
- Download offline maps of Åland Islands before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Speed Limits in Åland Islands
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | Verify locally | — |
| Rural | Verify locally | — |
| Motorway | Verify locally | — |
Winter tyres in Åland Islands — 2026–27 season
Winter tyres are required in Åland Islands whenever conditions are wintry — Nov - Mar (when winter road conditions apply).
- Tread minimum: 1.6 mm — Åland Islands sets no separate winter figure.
- Accepted marking: Not specified in our source
- Studded tyres: allowed 15 Oct - 15 Apr
Checked against national legislation · Compare all countries
Emergency Numbers in Åland Islands
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Avoid a fine in Åland Islands
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Åland Islands on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Åland Islands?
Compare prices from all major rental companies. Free cancellation on most bookings.
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Recent changes to this page
- Tyre rules corrected: template defaults (1.6 mm tread, winter tyres not required, studded tyres prohibited) replaced with sourced rules or removed where no official source exists.
- Minimum driving age added: 18 for a car licence, from an official source (https://www.regeringen.ax/sites/default/files/attachments/law/afs2015_nr88.pdf).
- Roundabout rule corrected: the page said to enter clockwise, but traffic keeps right here, so roundabouts run anticlockwise.
- Speed limits corrected from template defaults to 50 km/h built-up and 70 km/h outside built-up areas (Åland Vägtrafiklag 2023:108); the invented 100 km/h motorway figure was removed. Alcohol limit of 0.5 promille (0.05%) confirmed against Åland offences law 2023:109.
- Title and description tightened to the page's own data (title 50-60, description 140-155 characters).
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
Frequently Asked Questions
Åland has its own road traffic law (Vägtrafiklag 2023:108), which sets 50 km/h inside built-up areas and 70 km/h outside them unless a sign says otherwise.
In Åland Islands, traffic drives on the right side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
Foreign visitors to Åland Islands should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Åland Islands for the most current requirements.
When winter road conditions apply between November and March, cars on Åland must use winter tyres or equivalent equipment, under the Åland road traffic regulation.
The general emergency number in Åland Islands is 112. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Åland Islands. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Åland Islands, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
Driving in Åland Islands is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
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