RoundaboutFinland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Finland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


17. Roundabout

A roundabout is a circular road arrangement in which traffic travels around a central island in one designated direction. Vehicles enter and leave through connecting roads, and traffic signs or local rules determine who has priority.

Drivers should reduce speed, choose a suitable lane, observe all road users and signal as required when leaving. The direction of travel, entry priority, lane use and rules for cyclists and pedestrians depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Roundabout in Vammala. (Sastamala, Finland)
Wikimedia.org • Samuli Lintula • CC BY-SA
Who has priority at a roundabout in Finland?

Finland’s roundabout-direction sign specifies the permitted direction of circulation. The junction give-way sign is used with it to establish yielding at entry. Read the controls and the separate cycle and pedestrian crossing arrangements.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 22, 24–25, 35, 48; Annex 3 B5/D2

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

Mandatory roundabout direction. Mandatory roundabout direction.

English • Traffic sign D2 • Compulsory circulation direction. Shows the permitted vehicle direction on a roundabout carriageway. Placed on the right and may additionally be placed on the left.

Suomi • Liikennemerkki D2 • Pakollinen kiertosuunta. Merkillä osoitetaan ajoneuvolle sallittu ajosuunta ajoradalla liikenneympyrässä. Merkki sijoitetaan ajoradan oikealle puolelle. Merkki voidaan lisäksi sijoittaa ajoradan vasemmalle puolelle.

Svenska • Vägmärke D2 • Påbjuden cirkulationsriktning. Märket anger den tillåtna färdriktningen för fordon på körbanan i en cirkulationsplats. Märket placeras på högra sidan av körbanan. Det kan dessutom placeras ett märke till på vänstra sidan av körbanan.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.4 (FI)

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.4 (SV)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia original
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-06-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a roundabout. Warning for a roundabout.

English • Traffic sign A24 • Roundabout. May warn of a roundabout.

Suomi • Liikennemerkki A24 • Liikenneympyrä. Merkillä voidaan varoittaa liikenneympyrästä.

Svenska • Vägmärke A24 • Cirkulationsplats. Med märket kan det varnas för en cirkulationsplats.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Tieliikennelaki 729/2018 • liite 3.1 (FI)

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Finlex.fi • Vägtrafiklag 729/2018 • bilaga 3.1 (SV)

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Wikimedia original
Republic of Finland • Public domain • Original revision 2020-06-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should you choose a roundabout lane in Finland?

Choose your intended exit before entering and follow the lane arrows and destination signs. Keep to the marked route and make any permitted lane change only when safe; having priority over entering traffic does not give you priority to change lanes.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 22, 24–25, 35, 48; Annex 3 B5/D2

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

What should you check when leaving a roundabout in Finland?

In mainland Finland, signal when leaving a roundabout and make any lane change safely. Section 24 requires an exiting vehicle to give way to pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders crossing the road. Check the actual signals and crossing arrangement as well; circulating priority does not give permission to cut across another lane.

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex, Finnish Road Traffic Act 729/2018 — 22, 24–25, 35, 48; Annex 3 B5/D2

🔗 finlex.fi • Finlex — corresponding current Finnish statutory text

1 Finland 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Footpath 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Pedestrian zone 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Bus lane 13 Bus stop 14 Dead end 15 Stop sign 16 Give way 17 Roundabout 18 Priority road 19 Railway crossing 20 School area 21 Crossing animals 22 Wrong-way driving 23 Roadworks 24 Height limit 25 Weight limit 26 Radar speed sign 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Driving licence 30 Countdown markers 31 International border 32 Cycling route 33 Parking 34 No parking 35 Parallel parking 36 Parking disc 37 Reversing 38 Uncontrolled crossroad 39 Verge 40 City limit 41 Licence plate 42 Charging station 43 Dangers 44 Pedestrian 45 Cyclist 46 Moped 47 Bus 48 Police 49 Ambulance 50 Tram lights 51 European emission standard 52 Pothole 53 Path 54 Particulates 55 Air pollution 56 Rush hour 57 Road code 58 Two-way traffic 59 Street gutter 60 Cargo bike 61 Forestry vehicle 62 Construction vehicle 63 Semi-trailer truck 64 Trolleybus 65 Speed pedelec 66 Delivery vehicle 67 Idling 68 Tow truck 69 Four-wheel drive 70 No vehicles 71 Bicycle 72 Motorcycle equipment 73 Rail track 74 Caravan 75 Trailer 76 Tow hitch 77 Fire truck 78 Siren 79 Convoy 80 Emergency vehicle lighting 81 Agricultural machinery 82 Electric bicycle 83 Electric vehicle 84 Pedelec 85 Quadricycle 86 Microcar 87 All-terrain vehicle 88 Van 89 Recreational vehicle 90 Scooter 91 Trikke 92 Personal mobility device 93 Skateboard 94 Segway 95 Kick scooter 96 Roller skates 97 Mailman 98 Hitchhiker 99 Toddler 100 Child ...