The driver training reform that entered into force in July 2018 increased the popularity of instruction permit teaching among those who were aiming for a driving licence. The reform placed increasing emphasis on the more comprehensive management of driving skills, which can also be seen in the rates of those who passed the driving test on their first try.
After the application process for the instruction permit was made less strict, there has been a clear increase in the number of instruction permits that have been issued. In 2018, a total of around 27,500 instruction permits were issued, when in 2017 the corresponding figure was only around 16,000.
Instruction permit learners accounted for 22 % of all approved driving tests for passenger cars, or class B vehicles, in 2018. In total, 11,800 instruction permit learners completed the driving test for passenger cars, which is 5 % more than in the previous year.
“It’s great to see that the instruction permit process has been embraced in such an active manner. One of the purposes of the reform was to enable different learning paths towards attaining a driving licence, and we believe that many more will choose the instruction permit route alongside driving schools,” says Head of Department Kimmo Pylväs.
“The legislative reform focused on making sure that new drivers would be more prepared when they encounter real-world traffic conditions. The new driving examination places more emphasis on comprehensive driving skills instead of looking for any individual errors or mistakes. Combining these different learning models will surely support this goal,” Pylväs continues.
Fewer passenger car licences were issued than before, instruction permit learners more likely to pass on the first try
In 2018, around 56,700 driving examinations for passenger cars were passed successfully, which is 6 % less than in 2017. This decrease focused on the period after the legislative reform: between July and December, 13 % fewer driving examinations were passed successfully than in 2017.
“The statistics show that people were likely waiting for the driving licence reform, and many also wanted to attain their driving licence using the old rules in June. This was also evident in the rush of activity at many driving licence reception centres in June,” notes Adviser Marjo Immonen.
In 2018, a total of 64 % of participants passed the driving examination for passenger cars on their first try. In previous years, those who attended a driving school were more likely to pass the driving examination on their first attempt when compared to instruction permit learners. After the change in legislation, the situation has been reversed, and between July and December 2018, a total of 61 % of those who attended a driving school passed the driving examination on the first try, when the corresponding figure for instruction permit learners was 70 %.
The changes to the theory test were also evident in the shares of those who passed the test. Between July and December, 77 % passed the theory test, when previously almost 90 % passed the test. The corresponding figure for instruction permit learners was 78 % and 76 % for driving school learners.
“The purpose for the development of the theory test was to test learners on their understanding of traffic conditions and the risks associated with their driving licence class in a more comprehensive and detailed manner than before. The test includes questions on basic traffic rules, but it also features special situations that are typical for each licence class,” explains Immonen.
Number of motorcycle and truck driving examinations increase, moped examinations fell
The number of approved motorcycle driving examinations increased by 3 % when compared to the previous year, and the number of truck driving examinations increased by 8 %. The number of approved moped driving examinations fell by 12 %.
Between July and December 2018, a total of 88 % passed the driving examination for mopeds on the first try, when the previous figure for January and June and 2017 was 97 %. 90 % of those who attended a driving school and 75 % of instruction permit learners passed the examination on their first attempt.
“A renewed and slightly more challenging cornering test that was introduced to the motorcycle examination the previous spring was included in the examination for mopeds, and this has had an effect on the number of people who pass the test. Passing the test requires knowing the correct cornering technique. This requires special expertise from teachers as well, which will surely be evident in the rates that driving school students pass the test,” says Immonen.
The changes to the theory test for truck could be clearly seen in the figures for the period between July and December. After the legislative reform, the examination class C theory test was passed by 64 % of students on the first try, while previously this share was over 90 %.
“A new element to the heavy class theory test is the introduction of picture-based questions that most are familiar with from lighter classes. These are used to test the special features related to each vehicle class at a fairly detailed level, such as the specific purposes of different traffic signs and the current needs of the field. These questions have proven to be necessary, but they are also more challenging than previous questions,” Immonen summarises.
Further information:
Driving and theory test statistics
Head of Department Kimmo Pylväs, tel. +358 29 534 5798, kimmo.pylvas(at)traficom.fi
Adviser Marjo Immonen, tel. +358 29 534 5588, marjo.immonen(at)traficom.fi, Twitter @ImmonMar
Special Adviser Ari Väisänen, tel. +358 29 534 6177, ari.vaisanen(at)traficom.fi (statistics)