Question about legislation in your country

[LRV8]

Alkuperäinen kirjoittaja Nivamog

Hi !

I'm a french offroader.

We ask a question on a french pirate4x4 forum about legislation in your country !

We watch a lot your "Maasturi projekti" section, but in general what are the conditions to modify a standart car in Finland, and the limit street/ not street legal ?

And about offroad activity ?

We trying to list country by country laws restrictions.

Thank you !

Christophe

If you can be more specific I am sure that all your questions will be answered.

In general offroading is only allowed in designated areas and one needs a permission from the landowner (state or private).
Nowadays you can find a happening almost every weekend, say, within less than 2 hrs drive from the location that you are living. Most popular (by the number of cars) is when a bunch of people gather together and drive a certain route in the forest.

legal<->not legal:

As a general rule if you change more than 50 % of the vehicle it will be regarded as a new one and all the emission laws will apply as per the date of the new MOT done. This makes it practically impossible to modify an old vehicle more than the said 50 %.

As an example if your car has a 2-liter engine and the similar model has a 3-liter engine you can still change it and maintain the registration/MOT legal. Brakes have to be upgraded accordingly to match the HP.

Tyres: oversize tyres not listed in your cars' alternative size will definitely put you off the MOT. There is an exception that you can apply from the authorities/MOT to accept bigger tyres. Speedometer must be calibrated not to show readings less than your actual speed is.

Offroad lights: In general you are not allowed to permanently install extra lights behind the front axle. Some exceptions, such as working lights to vans, apply.

Accessories: It is fairly free to install offroading equipment such as winches, roll cages, seats, higher air intakes.

Above as starters, others can fill you in with more detailed info.