What do parking signs mean in finland. Parking clock in Finland: what is it, how to use it, where to buy? Parking clock: how to use

A parking clock is an indispensable item for a motorist traveling in Finland. After all, sooner or later, you will have to part with your iron horse for a while, and with a high degree of probability this will happen in the parking lot. And many parking lots in Finland, including free ones, require parking hours. No clock - no parking (unless you want to try your luck, vigilance of valet parking and police).

The parking clock is a small blue display (about 10 by 15 cm), with a rotating disc for setting the time.

The parking clock is used to indicate the start time of parking in places marked with a special sign, for example:

He says free parking is allowed for half an hour, subject to parking hours. The duration of parking, the permitted days and hours may differ, the essence remains.

Parking clock: how to use?

The rules for using the parking clock are simple and straightforward:

When leaving the car where you need a parking clock, set the parking start time and place the watch in a prominent place under the windshield on the driver's side
When setting the time, round up to half an hour to the nearest side (both forward and backward).
Do not try to cheat and set the parking start time two hours later than the actual one - you will be fined.
The time on the clock cannot be changed. If you need to stay in the parking lot longer, do not be too lazy to move the car to another place and restart the clock.
For the absence of a parking clock where it is stipulated - a fine of 40-80 euros. A similar penalty is imposed for deliberately incorrectly set time and for overdue parking time.

Parking clock: where to buy?

In Finland, buying a parking clock is not a problem. You can find them at gas stations, roadside shops and cafes. The cost is about 2-3 euros.

It is more difficult to buy a parking clock in St. Petersburg - they are practically not sold. By the way, some travel agencies give parking hours as a gift when applying for visas or insuring those traveling abroad.

DIY parking clock

Why buy when you can do it yourself? And it's not so much about money as about the time spent on searches and purchases. A parking clock is not a tricky device, making one is not a problem. Especially if you have been taken care of and all the materials have been prepared. What we did!

Dear friends! We are pleased to offer you a useful thing. This is a blank parking clock template for downloading, printing and creating a full-fledged parking clock with your own hands.

Download the file with all the source materials and make your parking clock in a couple of minutes!

"Date of last update: 05/12/2014".

21.11.2013 21:04

It is known that this country is characterized by high-quality road barriers and road surface. But..

You cannot park the car and stop:

on paths intended for pedestrians and cyclists, crossings for pedestrians - the distance to them must be from 5 meters or more;
at the intersection of two roads (minimum distance - 5 meters);
near tram or railway tracks, provided that they interfere with the movement of these types of transport;
if the car body covers traffic lights and road signs;
in any tunnels and passages;
in sections of the road with limited visibility;
in places where the road is divided into several lanes, provided that traffic is obstructed;
without paying for parking in those sections of the road where it is necessary;
near a solid line dividing the roadway (the distance from the car to the line must be at least 3 meters, and there must be no dashed line between them).

Parking of vehicles is completely prohibited:

at a railway crossing at a distance of less than 30 meters from it;
on road exits to houses, provided that the access to them is obstructed;
at any angle in relation to the carriageway, with the exception of two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles);
when creating obstacles to traffic;
on roads with preferential traffic designation outside settlements (main road);
in places specially designated for parking, if the car partially leaves the designated parking boundaries.

Types of parking in Finland

Public parking ("P" - public parking). As a rule, such a sign is accompanied by another sign:

Public parking lots always have parking spaces for disabled vehicles with a special designation.

Private parking spaces

Private parking can only be used by its owners and those whom they have allowed to park - at the entrance to it, the license plate of the car or the number of the apartment in which the owner lives is indicated.

Guest parking spaces are marked with a sign “Vieraspaikka”.

Parking clock

They need to set the time for the return of the owner of the car, rounding it up to half an hour or an hour, and put it near the windshield.

Parking hours (parkkikiekko) cost up to 2 euros, they are sold in shops and at gas stations.

As a rule, parking complexes equipped with modern automatic parking systems are not free. You should buy a special ticket in the parking machine for euros, then put it in front of the car windshield.

Parking time is limited - for example, a blue sign with white numbers "8-17", and below them the numbers "(8-15)", means that parking is paid on weekdays from 8 to 17 hours, and on Saturdays - from 8 morning to 15 noon. Outside this period, parking is free. If the maximum parking time is indicated, you should not take a coupon for a longer period.

Penalties

Forms of fines for violation of parking rules are drawn up by police officers or parking attendants, often fixing the violation on a camera.
Reasons for a fine - violation of parking rules in settlements, not using the parking brake, leaving the car with the engine running without the need for more than 2 minutes at t less than -15oC.

The size of the fine is 10-50 euros. Payment term - 14 days.

A penalty slip is either handed to the driver or attached to the windshield.
If the fine is not paid on time, the fine is 50% of the fine. If there is still no payment, then the agency collecting debts will deal with the defaulter.
To appeal the fine, you are given 14 days from the moment it was received, and this money will still have to be paid - if the fine is recognized as illegal, then its amount will be returned to the owner.

on pedestrian and bicycle paths, pedestrian crossings, as well as at a distance of less than 5 meters from a pedestrian crossing or intersection with a bicycle path
at crossroads, as well as at a distance closer than 5 meters to the crossroads
in the immediate vicinity of railway or tram tracks, if this can interfere with the movement of railway transport or trams
in such a way that it interferes with the visibility of road signs or traffic lights
in underpasses and tunnels
in places with limited visibility
in places where the road is divided into several lanes, thus making it difficult to move along the lanes
without paying for parking in places where payment is required
near a solid dividing line if the distance from the machine to the solid line is less than 3 meters and there is no dashed line between the machine and the solid line

Parking is prohibited

closer than 30 meters to the railway crossing
on roads leading to houses in such a way that traffic on these roads is difficult
at an angle to the carriageway (except for two-wheeled bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles without a sidecar)
in any way that obstructs the movement of other vehicles
outside settlements on roads marked with traffic advantages (main road)
in designated parking areas so that part of the vehicle remains outside the designated area

Parking of bicycles and mopeds is allowed on pedestrian and cycle paths.

Parking categories

Parking lots are divided into several main categories - public, private, paid and garages. Parking lots are indicated by the following signs:

Public parking

Usually they have a time limit, indicated by an additional sign under the parking sign:

Such a sign (together with a parking permit sign) means that free parking is allowed for 30 minutes with the obligatory use of a parking clock.

A similar sign, but installed in combination with the “No parking” sign, allows parking for no more than a specified time, with the obligatory use of a parking clock.

The time of validity of parking signs is often indicated:

Special attention should be paid to parking spaces for disabled persons. They are usually marked with markings and an additional sign. Parking on places for disabled people is allowed only with a special permit.

Private parking

Private parking spaces can only be used by the owners or with their permission. Usually, in front of each parking space, the number of the car or the number of the apartment for which it is allocated is indicated.

Most of the houses have special parking spaces for guests, marked with a “vieraspaikka” sign.

Parking clock

On the parking clock, you need to set the arrival time, rounded up to the next even hour or half an hour. The watch must be placed under the windshield in a conspicuous place.

You can buy a parking clock (parkkikiekko) at gas stations and shops. They are quite inexpensive, around 1-2 euros.

Paid parking

The vast majority of parking lots are paid. A ticket purchased from a parking machine (the machine accepts euro coins) must be placed in a conspicuous place under the windshield.

This sign denotes time-limited paid parking. Payment at the parking machine is required in case of parking on weekdays from 8 to 17 hours, on Saturday from 8 to 15 hours. The rest of the time, parking is free.

The maximum parking time can also be indicated - this means that a parking ticket cannot be bought for a time longer than indicated on the sign.

Penalties

Either the police or the parking attendants are issued.

Typically, such fines are imposed for non-compliance with parking rules in cities and towns, non-use of a parking disc, improper parking, as well as for leaving the car engine on unnecessarily (maximum 2 minutes, when the air temperature is below -15 degrees Celsius).

The fine is between 10 and 50 euros. Payment term - 2 weeks.

If the fine was not handed over to the driver in person, the receipt is attached to the car in a conspicuous place.

If the fine is not paid on time, a penalty of half the amount of the fine is charged. In case of non-payment of the fine and interest, the case is referred to the debt collection agency.

If the owner or driver of the car considers the fine to be unjustified, then he can appeal the decision to the authority that issued the fine. The complaint must be filed within 2 weeks of the date the fine was received. Filing a complaint does not exempt you from paying a fine. If the written fine is found unjustified, the money will be returned.

In some cities (for example, Oulu), the case of improper parking is filmed on camera in case of a possible appeal.

Free parking

Finding free parking lots, especially in large cities, is becoming more difficult every day. Nevertheless, there are always their little secrets. Read our article where locals share the secrets of free parking in the city.

It's no secret that Russians in neighboring Finland feel almost at home today. Admiring the beauty of Suomi, relaxing, shopping for our tourists is no longer a problem. Finns have a right to be proud of excellent roads, infrastructure and European service. Traffic rules do not cause any difficulties; parking in Helsinki is another matter. You can't leave your car anywhere, but it's a disaster with free parking. Finding a parking space without experience and knowledge of the language is almost impossible.

Parking rules in Helsinki

The country has adopted European traffic rules, according to which parking is allowed only in designated and equipped places ─ in official parking lots, in the area of validity of a permit sign.

Parking regulations in Finland prohibit parking:

if there is no permitting sign;
there is a yellow solid line along the side of the road;
on the road in two rows;
at intersections, sidewalks, at gates and entrances, traffic lights, stops, in tunnels, on and under overpasses;
closer than 5 meters from pedestrian crossings;
less than 30 meters from level crossings;
on the left side of the carriageway if the road is a two-way road;
in places where traffic is obstructed;
on tram tracks;
outside the parking lot markings;
in places intended for disabled people (except for drivers with disabilities);
on main roads outside of built-up areas.

Parking in Helsinki on New Year's Eve is almost impossible. On weekends, signs often appear in courtyards, the meaning of which is difficult for a foreigner to grasp. The Finnish language is difficult and the inscriptions in English are not always duplicated.

Here are some examples:

Pysakointi kielletty - parking is prohibited;
Varattu - the place is taken;
Vain talon asukkaille - for residents only.

Particularly difficult is the identification of private parking lots, which are not recommended to occupy without the permission of the owners. If the sign has the word P-luvan, a special permit is required to park in this area.

Long-term parking in Helsinki in the central part of the city is prohibited by the municipality. Places near offices and institutions for employees are marked with the inscription Henkilökunta, and for guests - Vieraspaikka. The main signs and indexes are identical to the Russian ones, and we will tell about some of the differences in the plates below.

Variety of parking lots

The network of parking lots in Finland is extremely developed. Especially in the capital. Parking lots are widely represented here:

paid;
free;
for invalids;
for personal and business vehicles ─ Resident and Business Parking;
intercepting Park & Ride;
multi-storey and underground type Car Hotel.

Paid parking lots prevail in Helsinki. The nearby signs are accompanied by pictograms in the form of a parking meter and signs that say lippuautomaatti or maksullinen. There are a lot of conditionally free parking lots: with limited free parking time, usually from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Free parking is indicated by a sign saying Ilmainen. It is worth looking for such a place near traditional places of mass gathering of people ─ attractions, monuments, stadiums, cinemas and supermarkets. Underground parking in Helsinki is the most convenient way to leave your car in a safe place for a long time, but it is also the most expensive.

Where can you park your car

In the city center, on weekdays from 9 am to 9 pm, parking is paid on almost all streets. And in the business center even on Saturday. The most expensive parking is here and parking time is limited.

Inexpensive Park & Ride is a more convenient option to leave the car for 12-24 hours. Intercepting parking lots in Helsinki are located near public transport stops and are usually free of charge. On some, the fee varies from 1 to 4 euros for a parking lot lasting 10-12 hours. Location information is available on the Helsinki Regional Transport website map www.hsl.fi.

Parking in the suburbs is often free, but time may be limited. Especially in new residential areas where a parking ban can extend to a single street or even an entire block.

Parking zones

Municipal parking in the center of Helsinki and the surrounding areas is paid almost everywhere during the daytime during the week. But the Finnish capital is divided into three zones, in which the cost of parking is different. In addition, it is always worth checking the signposts, as there are streets in the city that charge parking even on Sundays and public holidays.

Parking at the airport and seaport

Parking at Vantaa Airport accommodates cars in six zones, four of which (P1, P2, P3 and P5) are multi-level indoor parking. There is a short-term parking area in front of the terminal, where you have to pay only 1 euro for 10 minutes. But this is an option for embarkation / disembarkation.

You can leave the car for a maximum of two hours without paying at the exit from the zone of the first terminal on the left at the turn. In this case, you will have to use the parking clock.

In general, the question of whether there is free parking at Helsinki airport is purely rhetorical. There is no such. It is possible to stop for a short while at the gas station located at the fork between the terminals. But it is best to use the reservation of nearby hotels.

If you need to leave your car longer, you will have to use paid parking services. A week in a covered parking lot will cost from 69 to 148 euros, depending on the distance from the station building.

And in open parking lots (P4A and P4B), the cost is fixed - 44 euros. The minimum parking time is 24 hours.

You can book airport parking online. On the Russian-language version of the official website "Finavia" (www.finavia.fi) - the company serving the airport of the Finnish capital, it is possible to pay and book a seat for a period from 10 minutes to 31 days. In this case, you don't even have to drive up to the payment machine.

As for the seaport, there are berths at the Hansa terminals in Vuosaari, Katajanokka, Makasiini, Olympia, West terminals 1 and 2. A lot of them.

For example, only the parking at the Viking Line terminal in Helsinki has four parking lots. And Hansa has eight of them.

The cost varies from 2 to 4 euros for a stay of up to 4 hours. Long-term parking costs about € 10 per day or up to € 80 per week. Some parking lots use an hourly rate, the rate of which decreases as the number of hours increases.

For the location and cost of parking, please visit www.portofhelsinki.fi/en/passengers/parking-terminals. By the way, the resource has an online calculator that allows you to calculate the cost of parking near the port of Helsinki in advance. There is no Russian version of the site, but English is enough to figure out what's what.

Underground parking

The network of underground parking lots in the Finnish capital is well developed. The website www.europark.fi allows you to get acquainted in detail with the location, prices and features, and its Russian-language version greatly facilitates the task. Tariffs are different everywhere:

Scandic's car park charges EUR 3.20 for 30 minutes of parking during the day and EUR 1.20 in the evening. By the way, hotels in Helsinki with parking for Russians are the most profitable option;
P-Eliel ─ from 8.00 to 18.00 every day, except Sunday, the minimum fee is 5.60 per hour, then 2.80 euros for every 30 minutes. From 6 pm to 9 pm, parking costs 1.60 euros for every half hour. Night rate (from 21.00 to 8.00) ─ 1 euro / hour, including on Sunday. Parking time is not limited, but long-term parking in Helsinki costs 36 euros per day;
P-Lauttis operates on the Autopay principle. Cost - 2 euros per hour (1 euros for an incomplete hour up to 30 minutes);
Q-Park will charge 1 euro for 10 minutes during the day or 25 minutes at night;
P-Simonkenttä: parking costs from Monday to Saturday: from 00.00 to 08.00 - 1 euro / hour, until 18.00 - 3 euro / hour, until 24.00 - 1 euro for 30 minutes. On Sunday round knocks cost 1 euro / hour. Parking in Helsinki for a day here costs 36 euros.
P-Tähtitorninvuori. From Monday to Sunday inclusive: first hour - 5.60, then 2.80 for every 30 minutes, continuous parking - 36 euros.

Such places in the urban infrastructure are easy to find thanks to the bright e-letters "P". There is an indicator of empty seats above the entrance (TILAA - yes, TÄYNNÄ - no).

Shopping center parking

The malls usually have the most expensive parking spaces, although parking in Helsinki is free almost everywhere on weekends. For example, the parking lots of the CityForum department store and Kamppi shopping centers (here they charge € 29 per day) cost 3.20 per 30 minutes during the day and 1.20 euros in the evening. At P-Kluuvi it costs 32 euros for 24 hours.

The Linnanmaki Amusement Park offers services at a rate of 2 euros per hour. Serena Water Park - 5 € per day. The zoo has free parking, but it is small. The Evrika Science Center also has free parking.

Parking lot marking

Parking signs in Helsinki mean the same as ours, but with nuances. Free parking with no time limit is marked with a white P on a blue background with a 24h sign. A square surrounded by a yellow or green line indicates a paid parking lot.

The yellow plate may indicate the time period when parking is free:

in black ─ on weekdays;
in brackets ─ on Saturday:
red on Sunday.

If the Parkkikiekko parking clock icon is visible, its use is mandatory. The free parking area is marked with a blue line - ilmainen pitkäaikainen pysäköinti.

Parking fee

The cost of parking in Helsinki is largely determined by the distance from the city center, duration and downtime. Particular attention should be paid to the price factor when looking for a place in the city center. Even if it turns out not to break the law, the payment will have to be repeated approximately every four hours.

It is much better to look for a place in the territory of a nearby shopping center. The price in this case will be 12-20 euros per knock.

It is even more profitable to use the parking lot of the hotel where you plan to stay. It can be booked in advance. It is convenient to follow the tariffs using the Internet resources, which we mentioned above.

Rates may vary on holidays depending on the season (especially in the port area). They will be lower for environmentally friendly transport. Simply put, if you have a low-emission, L-class vehicle, you get a 50% discount on parking services.

How much parking costs in Helsinki is influenced by the proximity of the port, airport, hotels, entertainment centers, large shops and stadiums.

Free places are marked on Lapinlahdentie and Sanduddsgatan Streets ─ next to the cemetery and crematorium, respectively.
The nearest free parking to the center is located on the road leading to Tervasaari Island.
Cheap parking in Helsinki can be found under bridges, in particular on Lautatarhankatu and Brobergskajen streets.
There are large parking lots on Katajanokanranta Street near the city park and the Katajanokka pier.
You can freely leave your car for a few days in front of the Tallink Silja Line terminal and in the area of the city beach.

Payment Methods

The parking meters accept 20, 50, 1 and 2 euro coins and 5.10 and 20 euro bills. Before you pay for parking in Helsinki, you should stock up on change, because the change machine does not issue change.

The tariff and the zone number are indicated on the device, and by the color of the numbers on the panel, you can determine how many hours you can pay for:

yellow - 1;
gray - 2;
green - 4.

Payment in the underground parking is made before leaving with banknotes of any denomination. For hotel guests, paying for parking in Helsinki is cheaper because you can get discount coupons at the reception. Payment is possible with a bank card, through the EasyPark or ParkMan applications in a smartphone, as well as on the eParking.com website.

Punishment for breaking the rules

A fine for violating parking rules can be imposed by a police officer or a municipal parking attendant. Here is a short list of causes and consequences:

non-use of parking hours - € 40;
the machine with the engine running for more than 2 minutes (at an outside temperature above -15 degrees Celsius);
violation of any parking rules in the center - 80 euros, on the outskirts - 60.

If the vehicle is in the way, it will be towed across the street or left nearby. If the fine is not paid within 48 hours, the car will be taken to the municipal garage.

Paid parking zones

A map of Helsinki parking lots is available on the municipal website www.hel.fi. Here you can find detailed information about city parking lots of different types, payment methods and even evacuation procedures. There is also a diagram showing the division into parking zones. There are only three of them:

Vyohyke 1 covers the center. Parking here costs 4 euros per hour. Free parking on Sunday.
In Vyohyke 2 and 3 the cost of parking hour is 2 and 1 euro respectively, Saturdays are free.

Parking zones in Helsinki are open from 9 am to 9 pm.

conclusions

It is possible to choose where to leave your car in Helsinki, but several options are worth noting before the trip. Fines must be paid within 14 days from the date the receipt was issued. Otherwise, the penalty will be 50% of the fine.

Payment for parking in the Port of Helsinki: Video

Parking in Finland is one of the most common offenses among our motorists. In this article, we will tell you how you can park your car correctly and when you need to use a special parking clock. You will also learn what some road signs mean and what penalties are imposed for incorrect parking. Since the Russian traffic rules are slightly different from the traffic rules in Finland, we recommend that Russian motorists familiarize themselves with them carefully.

Parking in Finland has a number of small features that you need to know and try to always comply with. Note that there are both free and paid parking in this country. If you are going to visit the city of Imatra, then in this city they are all absolutely free. But Helsinki cannot boast of such things, so on weekdays and Saturdays you will have to pay for most of them. Always pay attention to the road signs before entering the parking lot.

On some of them, you can leave the car only for 1 - 2 hours, that is, there are special time restrictions. In such cases, it is necessary to use a special parking clock. It must be said that many large hypermarkets such as or have their own free parking, and if possible, cars can be parked near them. But quite often these shops are located not in the central part, but outside the city. But there are also shopping centers near which you almost always have to park your car for money, for example, the Stockmann department store in the city of Helsinki.

Paid parking

Paid parking lots have special road signs and times when it is necessary to pay for a place. Payment is made through a special machine. Further, the received receipt must be placed under the windshield. Let's take a look at one of the examples, what these signs mean. This road sign says that on weekdays (Monday-Friday) the paid time is valid from 8 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm. The rest of the time, no payment is required. If you see that the numbers on the road sign are in red, this means that parking in this place is allowed on weekends and holidays at this time. Note that most parking on Sundays is free.

Free parking

As we mentioned earlier, you can find free parking at large supermarkets, various shopping centers or major attractions. It is necessary to clarify that they are of several types. This may be a regular parking lot, which will be indicated by a blue square marked with the letter “P”. It can also be parking, but limited in time. For example, a time of two hours (2h) is often indicated at which you can leave your car. This time is quite enough to do all your business. For example, go to a restaurant, shop in nearby stores, or explore some of the attractions. Speaking of which, the situation with parking in the central part of the city is not important.

Wherever you see time limits, you must use a dedicated parking clock. This is one of the main rules that must be followed. Otherwise, with a high degree of probability, you will find a fine written out under your glass. But first, you need to purchase them. They cost about 2 Euros and can be bought at almost any store or gas station.

They are very easy to use. You drive up to the parking lot, if you see any time limit, then find a free space and park your car. Next, you need to install on the parking clock and put it under the windshield of the car. Just don't forget about the time difference between our countries. After you return, put them away and drive away. Everything is quite simple, understandable and practical.

Parking penalty

Let's say you come back and find a receipt for payment of the fine. This means that you have violated the traffic rules. Parking fines start at 50 Euros and increase in big cities. You need to pay the receipt within two weeks and you can do this at any of the Finnish banks. Penalties will be charged for late payments.

In Finland, there are spaces for disabled people in all parking lots and parking lots. They are marked with a special sign and a healthy person is not allowed to put the car in this place. It should be noted that parking in the central part of Helsinki is the most expensive. The conclusion is quite simple, the closer to the city center, the higher the price. In our next article, we will tell you where you will find out the prices and locations of free parking.