Driving Licence Act reform – What will change?

The Government proposed the approval of amendments to the Driving Licence Act on 13 May 2026. The President of the Republic is expected to approve the bill on the proposed changes on 22 May 2026. Most of the changes will enter into force on 29 May 2026.

This page summarises the main changes to the Driving Licence Act as approved by Parliament.

• The Act will enter into force on Friday 29 May 2026 at 00.00.
• New restrictions and obligations for underage car drivers:
  • A night-time driving ban (00.00–05.00) will apply to all 17-year-olds driving vehicles that require a passenger car driving licence (category B). This also applies to drivers who received an age exception permit before 29 May 2026.
  • A sign identifying an underage driver will become mandatory for all 17-year-olds driving passenger cars from 1 October 2026 onwards.
• Changes affecting all driving licence holders:
  • Expired driving licences no longer need to be returned to Traficom. They can be destroyed following the instructions provided.

Certain permits can now be shown electronically to traffic enforcement authorities. A permit received through Suomi.fi Messages is accepted as proof.

What will change for 17-year-old car drivers and their guardians

• The driving ban applies between 00.00 and 05.00. It enters into force on Friday 29 May 2026.
• The driving ban means that a 17-year-old driver’s right to drive passenger cars is not valid between 00.00 and 05.00.
• The night-time driving ban applies to all 17-year-olds driving vehicles that require a passenger car driving licence (category B). The date when the age exception permit was granted does not affect the ban.

If an underage driver drives a vehicle requiring a category B driving licence between 00.00 and 05.00, this is treated as unauthorised operation of a vehicle. The usual penalty is a fine and a driving ban.

In addition, the person who allowed the vehicle to be used may also receive a fine. This means guardians will have greater responsibility for supervising the driving rights of 17-year-old drivers.

The sign identifying an underage driver will only become mandatory from 1 October 2026 onwards. We will provide more information about this change closer to the date when the requirement enters into force. 

What will change for applicants for an age exception permit and their guardians

The date when the application is submitted determines which legislation will apply. Age exception permits can still be applied for under the current rules until 28 May 2026.

• From 29 May 2026 onwards, the conditions for driving licences granted to 17-year-olds will become more specific and stricter:
  • The mobility need must occur at least four times a week.
  • The journey must be longer than previously required: at least seven kilometres on foot or one and a half hours by public transport.
  • The mobility need must be proven with a mandatory certificate or other supporting document attached to the application, such as an employment contract lasting at least two months.
• The applicant must be at least 16 years and 8 months old when submitting the application.
• A 17-year-old may take the theory test up to one month before turning 17.
• An age exception permit cannot be granted if the young person is or has previously been subject to a driving ban.

A guardian always submits the application and is also responsible for the information provided in it. The guardian must confirm in the application that the conditions for the age exception permit are met.

Certificate still required for age exception permit applications

Applications for an age exception permit must still include a mandatory supporting document proving the need for transport. The required document depends on the grounds for the application.

For upper secondary studies or workplace-based training, the certificate may be issued by the education or training provider.

For goal-oriented leisure activities, the attendance certificate may be issued by a sports federation under the Finnish Olympic Committee or by a provider of basic education in the arts operating under a licence from the Ministry of Education and Culture.

We will update the new certificate forms on Traficom’s website when the Act enters into force. We will also provide separate information about the changes to education or training providers before the Act enters into force.

What will change in driving examinations

The amendments to the Driving Licence Act also include changes related to driving examinations.

• The training required for new drivers who are placed under a driving ban, known as driving ban training, will be extended to drivers of mopeds, light quadricycles and tractors, as well as drivers placed under a temporary driving ban.
• In future, a driving test may be taken by order of the police even if the driver is under a temporary driving ban.
• Cheating in the theory test for the driving examination will result in a six-month ban from taking the test.
• Risk recognition training will increase from 8 hours to 12 hours from 1 October 2026 onwards.

Information on our website will be updated in accordance with the new Driving Licence Act as of May 29, 2026.