The Finnish road network includes 48,568 miles of main roads, and 64,723 miles of subsidiary roads. This serves a country over 338,000 km² in size, nearly one third larger than the UK, but with less than 6 million inhabitants. Much of Finland is sparsely populated, with long distances to travel between commercial centres.
Abnormal Road Movements
Vehicles that exceed height, width and length restrictions are classed as abnormal loads. You or your logistics partner must obtain a special permit in advance from each local government authority before you can use public roads. A logistics company with a presence in Finland will be able to help you with this. Get in touch for further details.
All abnormal load operators will require a keeper’s certificate to prove ownership of the trailer, which must be carried as part of the vehicle documents at all times.
EU Directive – Within the European Union (EC), the Council Directive 96/53/EC gives information about the permissible dimensions and weights for road vehicles in international traffic. Vehicle combinations (trucks with ordinary trailers or semi-trailers) which comply with the criteria specified here may travel on roads within the EU without a special permit. The size and weight limits set by the Council Directive are summarised in the tables at the link here
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
If you are shipping dangerous goods, you must also complete a dangerous goods declaration. See guidance on moving dangerous goods
Main competent authority
Finnish Transport and Communication Agency
PO Box 320
FI-00059 Traficom, Finland
Tel: +358 29 534 5000
Email: kirjaamo@traficom.fi or anu.hakkinen@traficom.fi
Web: https://www.traficom.fi/fi/
Class 7
Finnish Centre for Radiation and Nuclear Safety
PO Box. 14
FIN-00881 Helsinki
Tel: +358 9 759 881
Fax: + 358 9 759 88500
Normal Load Weight & Dimensions
All vehicles travelling in Finland are restricted to:
Lorries are restricted at 12m in length, articulated trucks at 16.5m, road trains at 18.75m and vehicles with a trailer/ semi- trailer are restricted to a maximum length of 25.25m.
Weight limits apply as follows:
Twin axle trailers are restricted to 20t and tri axles 30t.
Articulated Lorries (configured 2+3) 42t and 48t maximum for (3+3 configuration).
The weight limits on road trains are as follows:
Any vehicles in excess of these weights and dimensions must seek authorisation from Ajoneuvohallintokeskus, P.B. 108 00531, Helsinki – Tel: 00 358 977 4731
Heavy Goods Vehicles Road Tolls
There are no road tolls or vehicle movement taxes applied in Finland.
Weekend and public holiday Driving Bans
There are no weekend or public holiday driving bans as such in Finland.
Tunnels/ Bridges
There are no HGV toll charges in Finland.
Driver & Vehicle Documentation
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Permits
Check which international road haulage permits you need.
Check which international road haulage permits you need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Find out how to apply for bilateral international road haulage permits and the rules you have to follow at the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-permits-for-some-non-eu-countries
To find out more about ECMT Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits
To find out more about ECMT International Removal Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-removal-permits
Speed Limits for HGV’s over 3.5t
The following speed limits are applicable to HGVs:
Drink Driving
A driver is guilty of drink driving if he or she has a blood alcohol level of at least 0.5 g/litre (or a breath alcohol level of 0.22 mg/litre).
Other Items Required
In addition to required documents, motorists are also required by law to carry the following items when driving to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines:
Items you should not take into Finland
Be aware that you cannot take the following with you:
You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘Phytosanitary certificate’:
Warning of approach
Do not use your horn in built up areas unless absolutely necessary
Road Dangers
Road signs indicate the most common road-crossing points for elk, deer and, in the north, reindeer. These animals are on the move especially around dawn and dusk. The whole of northern Finland is a reindeer-grazing area.
If you see any of these animals on the road, reduce your speed and, if necessary, stop the vehicle. Sounding the horn is not likely to have any effect. If you collide with an elk, deer or reindeer, you are obliged to notify the police
Seat belts
Seat belts must be worn at all times. There are serious penalties for failing to do so.
In an emergency
112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you are visiting. Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.
Low Emission Zones
A number of regions have low emission zones for Lorries. These LEZs also affect the cities within those regions. In Helsinki there is a low emission zone affecting local public transport buses only, and an access regulation affecting Lorries. For further information on LEZ’s in Finland
Transport Organisation
Finnish Transport & Logistics SKAL
Nuijamiestentie 7
00400 Helsinki
Finland
Telephone: +358 9 478 999
Web: https://www.skal.fi/en/finnish-transport-and-logistics-skal/skal/haulage-sector
British Embassy
Itäinen Puistotie 17
00140 Helsinki
Finland
Telephone: +358 (0) 9 2286 5100 / +44 1908 51 6666
