Finland: no nationwide truck driving ban. Local and route restrictions may still apply, see below.
Finland has no nationwide truck driving ban. Heavy goods vehicles may run on Sundays and public holidays without a general calendar restriction. The rules that actually shape heavy transport are winter tyre requirements between 1 November and 31 March and temporary spring thaw weight limits on some minor roads. Public holidays still bring heavier traffic and longer queues at border crossings even though driving itself stays legal.
Next 30 days
Finland: no scheduled nationwide driving bans. Local and city restrictions are described below.
Public holidays with truck bans — Finland 2026
| Date | Holiday | Ban time | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Epiphany | No general ban applies | ||
| Good Friday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Sunday | No general ban applies | ||
| Easter Monday | No general ban applies | ||
| May Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Ascension Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Pentecost | No general ban applies | ||
| Midsummer Eve | No general ban applies | ||
| Midsummer Day | No general ban applies | ||
| All Saints' Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Independence Day | No general ban applies | ||
| Christmas Eve | No general ban applies | ||
| Christmas Day | No general ban applies | ||
| St. Stephen's Day | No general ban applies |
Winter tyre requirements
From 1 November to 31 March, trucks and buses with a total mass over 3.5 t must fit winter tyres on the powered axles when weather or road surface conditions require it. The minimum tread depth of the principal grooves is 5.0 mm on the powered axles and 3.0 mm on other axles and on trailers and towed devices. Studded tyres are permitted from 1 November to 31 March, and outside that period when weather or road conditions require them. The requirement is condition based rather than a fixed calendar mandate, and the police assess whether tyres suit the conditions.
Spring thaw weight restrictions
During the spring thaw (kelirikko) the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Vaylavirasto) imposes temporary weight restrictions on some minor and gravel roads to prevent structural damage while the ground is weakened. The most common limit is 12 t, with 4 t used only in exceptional cases. In a typical year restrictions cover about 1,000 to 1,500 kilometres of road, mostly during spring. They do not apply to transports essential for supply, such as emergency vehicles, road maintenance, scheduled bus services, dairy transport and agricultural and forestry operations. Roads in force are published on the Fintraffic traffic situation service.
Basic driving rules for trucks
Heavy goods vehicles are limited to 80 km/h on motorways and other roads and 50 km/h in urban areas. Vehicles over 7.5 t are limited to 60 km/h on other highways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for all drivers. Daytime running lights or dipped headlights are mandatory at all times, day and night.
FAQ
Are trucks banned on Sundays in Finland?
No. Finland has no nationwide Sunday driving ban for heavy goods vehicles. Trucks may operate on Sundays without a general calendar restriction.
Do public holidays stop truck traffic in Finland?
No. There is no national holiday driving ban for trucks. Public holidays still bring heavier general traffic and longer queues at border crossings, but driving itself stays legal.
Do trucks need winter tyres in Finland?
Yes. Between 1 November and 31 March, trucks and buses over 3.5 t must use winter tyres on the powered axles when weather or road surface conditions require it. The minimum tread depth is 5.0 mm on the powered axles and 3.0 mm on other axles and on trailers. Studded tyres are permitted from 1 November to 31 March.
Are there weight limits on Finnish roads in spring?
Yes. During the spring thaw the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Vaylavirasto) sets temporary weight restrictions on some minor and gravel roads. The usual limit is 12 t, and 4 t in exceptional cases. Restrictions are lifted once the road structures recover.
Which basic road rules apply to trucks in Finland?
Heavy goods vehicles are limited to 80 km/h, 50 km/h in urban areas, and vehicles over 7.5 t to 60 km/h on other highways. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l. Daytime running lights or headlights are mandatory at all times.
I transit Finland towards Sweden or Norway. Do their rules affect my plan?
This page covers Finland, which sets no weekend or holiday driving ban. Winter tyre and winter equipment rules differ between Finland, Sweden and Norway, so check the requirements of each country for the season you travel.
Official source
- Your Europe (European Commission) - Road rules and safety, Finland
- Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) - Information about tyres
- Finnish Police - Winter tyres required in wintry conditions
- Vaylavirasto (Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency) - Spring thaw weight restrictions
- Fintraffic - Weight restrictions in force (live list)
- University of Helsinki Almanac Office - Finnish flag days and holidays
Rules can change on short notice. Verify with the official sources above before dispatch.