Driving Licence Act reform: stricter conditions for age exception permits and new restrictions on underage drivers

Changes to the Driving Licence Act will enter into force on 29 May. The reform introduces several changes affecting young drivers. The aim of the changes is to strengthen the competence of new drivers and improve road safety.

“The changes aim to ensure that age exception permits are granted only where there is a genuine need and that young drivers have sufficient skills to drive safely in traffic,” says Henna Antila, Head of Department at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

Stricter conditions for age exception permits for 17-year-olds

The conditions for granting an age exception permit allowing a person to drive a passenger car at the age of 17 will change significantly on 29 May 2026.

“All applications submitted no later than 28 May 2026 will still be processed under the old legislation, even if the decision is made after the changes have entered into force,” says Henna Antila.

In future, the young person’s regular mobility need must involve travelling at least four times a week. In addition, the journey must be longer than before. The walking distance must be at least seven kilometres, or a journey by public transport must take at least one and a half hours.

“The mobility need must always be proven with a mandatory supporting document attached to the application. For example, the document may be an employment contract for at least two months or a certificate from a sports federation confirming goal-oriented training,” says Henna Antila.

A new provision in the Act states that an age exception permit will not be granted if the young person is or has been subject to a driving ban.

Restrictions for underage passenger car drivers

From 29 May 2026 onwards, underage drivers may not drive vehicles requiring a category B driving licence during night-time hours. This means that, despite holding a driving licence, a 17-year-old driver’s right to drive passenger cars is not valid between 00.00 and 05.00. The night-time driving restriction applies to all 17-year-olds, including those who obtained their passenger car driving licence before 29 May 2026.

“We have also already received some questions about the underage driver sign, which will become mandatory in October. From 1 October 2026, the sign must be used in vehicles driven by all underage passenger car drivers.”

“We will provide more information about obtaining the underage driver sign and other related practical arrangements closer to the entry into force of the requirement, as well as about the other changes entering into force in autumn,” says Antila.