Lightweight cars
The entry into force of the acts on speed-limited passenger cars, also known as lightweight cars, will be postponed by one year until 1 November 2020. Before the acts enter into force, the aim is to find out whether Finnish legislation on lightweight cars could be amended to follow European Union legislation.
Press releases by the Ministry of Transport and Communications
TIMETABLE
The entry into force of the acts on speed-limited passenger cars, also known as lightweight cars, will be postponed by one year until 1 November 2020.
The contents of this page will be updated as the legislative project proceeds.
What is a lightweight car?
A lightweight car is a passenger car that has been modified and put through a modification inspection. Its maximum speed is limited to 60 km/h. The purpose of a lightweight car is to offer young drivers a safe alternative to mopeds and light quadri-mobiles (“microcars”). A lightweight car can be driven using the same driving licence as for a light quadri-mobile (categories AM/121, B or A), but only in Finland.
A lightweight car must be insured, and it is taxed in the same way as a passenger car, meaning that car and vehicle tax must be paid. The rules on periodic inspections of lightweight cars will be set by decree*.
Lightweight cars must be vehicles that were taken into use at the earliest in 2015 and are less than 10 years old. This requirement seeks to ensure that young drivers get to benefit from using cars that are newer than the average car and thus safer and more environmentally friendly.
When a vehicle is no longer being used as a lightweight car, it may be converted back to a different type of vehicle. A lightweight car cannot be converted back into a normal car if more than 10 years have passed since the end of the year when the vehicle was taken into use. The conversion can be carried out by removing the speed limiter and putting the lightweight car through a modification inspection.