Driving examination

The purpose of the driving examination is to ensure that you master the contents of driving instruction and know how to apply them in varying traffic situations and environments, driving responsibly.

Driving examination

The driving examination consists of a theory test and a driving test. For some driving licence categories, the candidate also takes a handling test.

You can take the driving examination if

you meet the age requirement for the driving licence category in question
you have a valid driving licence permit
you have not been banned from driving
you have completed the required driving instruction.

Candidates take the driving examination at a service point of Ajovarma, Traficom’s service provider.

Theory test

The purpose of the driving examination theory test is to ensure that you have sufficient knowledge and skills to drive on the road. A passed theory test is valid for one year.

You can take the theory test one month before meeting the age requirement for getting a driving licence. The theory test for a tractor driving licence is an exception, and you can take it at the age of 15 at the earliest.

If you have an age exception permit for a passenger car driving licence, you can take the test one month before turning 17. You always take the theory test before the driving test.

Prepare for the theory test following the advice provided by your driving school instructor or the holder of your driving instruction permit.

Theory test procedure

You take the theory test on a tablet. You will receive instructions for taking the test before the test begins. The theory test takes 30 minutes.

There are three types of questions: multiple choice questions, questions related to images showing traffic situations, and risk identification questions. You will need to score a specific number of points for each section. See the table below for the number of questions in each section. The minimum score is shown in brackets.

Right to drive category	Multiple choice questions	Questions about images	Risk identification questions
A1, A2, A	20 (14)	50 (43)	5 (4)
AM/120, AM/121, T, B	15 (11)	50 (43)	5 (4)
BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E	10 (7)	30 (26)	5 (4)
C, CE, D, DE	20 (14)	30 (26)	5 (4)

Once you have completed the test, you will see your results and feedback on each section on the tablet.

The feedback will also be sent to your email address. If you do not have an email address, ask the test organiser to print out the feedback for you.

If you pass the test, you can book your driving test and any separate handling test you may have to take first.

If you fail the test, revise the learning materials and book a new theory test.

A tractor driving examination does not include a driving test. You will receive your tractor driving licence by post after passing the theory test.

Restrictions on items brought into the theory test room

Personal belongings must be left in the designated place before entering the theory test room. The following items, for example, must be left outside the test room:

mobile phones
earphones
other communication or recording devices
outdoor clothing
other accessories.

Religious headwear as well as headwear and wigs worn for health reasons are allowed. They will be inspected before you enter the test room.

A device needed to monitor your health may only be taken into the test for essential reasons. Before the test begins, you must present a certificate issued by healthcare services on the use of the device, such as a medical certificate or an entry in your medical records. If the device has to be used during the test, you must inform the person supervising the test before you start using it.

You may be prevented from taking the test if you do not hand over items for inspection or if your identity cannot be confirmed.

Misconduct in the theory test leads to a ban from taking the test

Misconduct, such as copying test information and passing it on to others in the theory test, is strictly prohibited.

Misconduct means using dishonest means to give a false impression of your own or another person’s competence. Misconduct includes, for example, cheating, taking the test on behalf of someone else, giving answers to another person or asking another person for answers during the test, and copying or recording the test or parts of it in any way. Preparing or attempting any of the above is also considered misconduct.

Misconduct results in a six-month ban from taking the theory test.

Handling test

The purpose of the handling test is to ensure that you have sufficient skills in handling the vehicle.

You take the handling test either during your driving test or as a separate test before it. A passed handling test is valid for one year.

The following driving examinations include a separate handling test that you take before the driving test.

Driving licence for a moped (AM/120)
- You do not need to take a driving test to get a driving licence for a moped.
Driving licence for a motorcycle (A1, A2 and A)
Driving licence for a car with a trailer (BE)
Driving licences for lorries with trailers (C1E and CE)
Driving licences for buses with trailers (D1E and DE)

Driving test

The purpose of the driving test is to ensure that you are able to apply the basic driving skills you learned during the theory and driving lessons independently in different traffic situations.

The driving test has three parts: initial discussion, driving in traffic and final discussion

Initial discussion

You go through the procedure and instructions for the test with the examiner. If you are unsure about anything concerning the test, ask the examiner. The idea is that after this discussion, you know what is expected of you in the test.

Driving in traffic

The examiner gives you driving tasks which you complete independently and in which you are responsible for driving the car. The test makes versatile use of the traffic environment. You must be able to drive in different speed zones and traffic densities. You assess how your choices during the driving test affect your own safety and that of others on the road.

Final discussion

In the final discussion, the examiner tells you if you have passed the test. The decision is based on your overall performance in the driving test. You will discuss the skills you already master and those in which you need more practice.

The time spent on the different parts may vary. The total time reserved for the driving test is 60 minutes.

After the driving test, you will receive individual feedback by email. You should also go through the feedback with your instructor.

If you passed the driving test, you will receive a certificate of having passed the driving examination. Together with an ID document, you can use this certificate as a temporary driving licence until the actual driving licence is posted to your home address.

If you did not pass the test, you need more driving practice. When you feel you have mastered the different skill areas, book a new driving test.

Oral theory tests

In an oral theory test, you have 60 minutes to respond to the questions. The examiner is present at the oral theory test. They can read the questions aloud in the language of the test (Finnish, Swedish or English).

Normal oral theory test

You may take an oral theory test in the following cases:

your mother tongue is other than Finnish, Swedish or English and you do not have good skills in any of these languages
you cannot read and write, or
you are aged 75 years or over and you failed a normal theory test you took earlier.

If you have been guilty of misconduct in an earlier theory test, you must take the theory test orally.

The Driving Licence Act was reformed on 29 May 2026. A requirement to take an oral test imposed before the Act entered into force is valid until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, you may take a normal theory test.

Taking an oral theory test for health reasons

You may take the oral (spoken) theory test for health reasons in the following cases:

you are deaf or sign language is your first language
you are dyslexic
- You need to have a statement or other report from a healthcare professional or a special needs teacher concerning your dyslexia or reading difficulty. The statement or report must include your name and personal identity code or date of birth.
you have some other health reason that makes it necessary for you to take the theory test orally.
- You need to have a statement or report explaining this reason given to you by a healthcare professional. The statement must contain the diagnosis code of the illness or disorder.

Using an interpreter in the theory test

The examiner checks the interpreter’s identity before the test starts.

Both the interpreter and the candidate may bring a printed dictionary to the test. The interpreter may also bring a printed word list they have composed. These materials will be inspected before the test starts.

The examiner reads the theory test questions aloud and the interpreter translates them for the candidate.

If remote interpretation is used, the candidate and the interpreter are jointly responsible for ensuring that the remote connection works and for the devices used to facilitate the remote connection.

If suspicions of misconduct, such as cheating, arise during the test, the examiner removes the interpreter from the test session immediately. The candidate may complete the theory test.

You may use an interpreter in the theory test in the following cases:

your mother tongue is other than Finnish, Swedish or English and you do not have good skills in any of these languages
you are deaf and sign language is your first language.

The interpreter demonstrates their competence with a degree/qualification certificate issued by an educational institution (university, university of applied sciences or vocational institution).

You should check the competence of the interpreter you are using in advance. If Ajovarma cannot ascertain the interpreter’s competence in the theory test, the interpreter will not be admitted to the test. The person taking the theory test pays the costs of using the interpreter.

If you need an interpreter at the theory test, call Ajovarma to book your test.

The Driving Licence Act was reformed on 29 May 2026. New exemptions for interpretation are no longer granted.

A valid exemption may be used to interpret the tests of the candidate for whom the exemption was granted until 31 December 2026. Exemptions granted for interpretation are not valid after 31 December 2026.

The Driving Licence Act was reformed on 29 May 2026. New exemptions for interpretation are no longer granted.

Requesting an administrative review and recording the driving test

You can address a request for an administrative review concerning the examiner’s decision to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom).

Traficom will not disclose test questions outside the test. Disclosing the questions would jeopardise the reliability of the test and the equal treatment of candidates.

Around 150,000 theory tests are taken each year. This is why it is not possible to give detailed test feedback or go through the test questions. The test answers are assessed in the information system automatically and impartially. The assessment focuses on the test performance, not the candidate.

Each candidate receives feedback on their test performance by email or on paper. The feedback shows the number of correct and incorrect answers in each subject area. The candidate and their instructor should read the feedback carefully and focus their studies and practice on the subject areas in which the candidate has scored the lowest points.

A fee of EUR 60 is charged for processing a request for an administrative review. This applies to requests for an administrative review of handling tests and driving tests. Under the Act on Criteria for Charges Payable to the State, the fee is enforceable without a separate decision.

Instructions for requesting an administrative review are attached to the feedback sent to the customer’s email address.

The candidate may record or film their driving test if they wish. The driving test is comparable to using other official services and, as a rule, everyone has the right to record their service use.

You do not need a separate permission to record or film the test, but you must tell the examiner about it.

Sharing a recording on social media or otherwise is not permitted without the consent of each person appearing in the recording.

While you have the copyright to any recordings you make in public places, the persons who appear in them may have the right to restrict the publication of the images under privacy and data protection legislation.

If you do not tell the examiner that you are recording the test or share the recording without asking for permission, you may be guilty of violating such statutes as the Criminal Code or data protection legislation.

Regulations and instructions

Driving test guideline

Instructions for making a claim for a revised decision (in Finnish) (pdf, 733 kt)

Driving Licence Act reformed on 29 May 2026 – see what changed

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