Obtaining a driving licence for a passenger car
You can obtain a passenger car licence once you have turned 18. You can also drive a van with a passenger car licence (category B).
On this page
- Do the following
- Right to drive at the age of 17 in professional driver training
- Recognition of risk recognition training completed abroad
Do the following
- Step 1
Apply for a driving licence permit
You need a driving licence permit to participate in the theory and driving test.
If your passenger car licence is your first driving licence, apply for a driving licence permit for your first driving licence.
If you already have e.g. a driving licence for a moped or tractor, you can apply for a driving licence permit to upgrade your driving licence.
- Step 2
Participate in driving instruction, i.e. theory lessons and practical car driving instruction
Driving instruction consists of the following parts
- Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS) 4 theory lessons. If you already have e.g. a moped or tractor licence, you do not need to take the training again. You can complete your Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS) at a driving school or with another approved instructor, such as a school. The training cannot be provided under a driving instruction permit.
- Driving lessons. At least 10 driving lessons. You can receive your driving instruction at a driving school or from a person with a driving instruction permit. If you receive your instruction from an instruction permit holder, complete the Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS) before your driving lessons.
- Risk recognition training. 12 hours, of which at least 5 hours must be driving instruction. The training can only be provided by a driving school or other approved instructor. You cannot receive the training from an instruction permit holder. No more than half of the driving instruction may be provided using a simulator.
If you started your risk recognition training before 1 October 2026, contact your driving school to find out which parts of the training you still need to complete.
- Step 3
Take the theory test
You can take the theory test one month before turning 18. If you are banned from driving, you cannot take the theory test.
When you take the theory test, you will need:
- a photo ID, such as a passport or ID card
- a paper certificate that you have completed the Training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS), if you are applying for your first driving licence. You can obtain the certificate from a driving school or other training provider
- you will need an approval document or training certificate from your educational institution and the official guardian’s consent form if you are taking the test for a category B or BE driving licence at the age of 17 as part of your studies.
In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The organiser of the theory test will verify its validity in Traficom’s system. The theory test is organised by Ajovarma.
Book a time for a theory test at Ajovarma.
- Step 4
Take the driving test
You can take the driving test once you have passed the theory test and turned 18. If you have an age exception permit, you can take the test when you are 17. If you are banned from driving, you cannot take the driving test.
Bring the following to your driving test:
- A photo ID, such as a passport or an identity card issued by the police
- a certificate of the driving instruction and risk recognition training you have completed. You will receive the certificate from your driving school or driving instruction permit teacher
- an age exception permit, if you are applying for a driving licence at the age of 17
In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The organiser of the driving test will verify it in Traficom’s system.
The driving test is organised by Ajovarma.
Book a time for a driving test at Ajovarma.
- Step 5
After you have passed the driving test, you will receive your driving licence in the mail
After you have successfully completed the driving test, you will receive an examination certificate that will entitle you to drive a passenger car in mainland Finland for up to 6 months.
This will serve as your driving licence as long as you also carry your photo ID. Keep the document with you until you receive your official driving licence.
Your driving licence will be delivered to your home address in approximately 2 weeks. The driving licence is valid for 15 years. After this, the licence must be renewed.
Right to drive at the age of 17 in professional driver training
If you are pursuing vocational driver training that includes obtaining the right to drive a lorry or bus, you can get a driving licence for a car already at the age of 17 without an exception permit.
In vocational driver training, the driving licence is obtained based on a certificate issued by the educational institution. In this case, you do not need an age exception permit for driving related to your studies.
You can take the theory test one month before turning 17 and the driving test once you have turned 17. When you go to the theory test, present the study certificate issued by the educational institution.
Before you turn 18, you may only drive journeys related to your studies. These include
- travel to the educational institution’s units
- driving practice with the educational institution’s fleet
- travel to training organised in the workplace, such as workplace-based training or apprenticeship training
- driving practice related to training organised in the workplace.
If you need a passenger car driving licence for other journeys as well, read about the requirements for applying for an age exception permit.
Recognition of risk recognition training completed abroad
You can apply to Traficom for recognition if you have completed training abroad that corresponds to risk recognition training.
Attach reliable documentation of the training completed abroad to your application. If necessary, you must also attach a translated curriculum or other equivalent documentation.