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How to get a driving licence in Finland

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Finland

Theory questions, in 3 parts70
Pass mark (11/15, 43/50 and 4/5)58 correct
Time for the theory test30 min
Theory test fee~€46
Driving test fee (varies by provider)~€99–110
Driving test, in total60 min

Pass all 3 parts of the theory test in one sitting. The theory pass is valid for 1 year.

Before you start driving

2
Learner permitNo separate permit card. To practise privately, your teacher needs a teaching permit and the car needs dual controls.
Medical checkYes. A medical certificate from a doctor with your licence application.

Required lessons

2
Driving school or private teacherTrain at a driving school, or with a private teacher who holds a teaching permit (opetuslupa).
Required trainingIncludes slippery-road training on a skid track and driving in darkness.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18 for a full category B licence. From 17 with a special exemption.
Licence validity15 years for category B, after the 2-year probationary licence.
Exam languagesTheory in Finnish, Swedish or English. Other languages through an official interpreter.
If you failPay and book again. You retake the whole theory test. There's no waiting time.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits your licence to automatic cars.
New driversYour first licence is a 2-year probationary licence. Repeated offences can mean a driving ban.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from road traffic convention countries are usually exchanged without tests if you apply within 2 years of moving. After that, you need a driving test. See the Abroad tab.
Also worth knowing
  • Each part of the theory test is scored separately: a high score in one doesn't make up for another.
  • Book the slippery-road training early in winter, when tracks fill up.

Step by step

  1. Licence application and medicalApply for the licence with a medical certificate before you start.
  2. TrainingAt a driving school or with a private teacher, including slippery-road and darkness training.
  3. Theory testAt Ajovarma: 70 questions in 30 minutes, in 3 parts that you must each pass.
  4. Driving test60 minutes in total, in normal traffic.
  5. Probationary licenceDrive for 2 years on a probationary licence.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Since 1 July 2026, the examiner grades 4 areas from 1 to 5: handling the car, consideration for others, anticipating traffic and managing your own driving. You fail with any area at 1, or with 2 areas at 2.
  • You fail if your driving puts anyone in danger, even if the examiner doesn't have to step in. If the examiner does step in, that area gets the lowest grade.
  • Expect at least 45 minutes of real driving, a third of it on roads of 60 km/h or more, and at least 2 manoeuvres, one of them in reverse.
  • You don't need to know the area. The examiner may guide you with road signs or a sat nav, and you can always ask if an instruction is unclear.
  • Drive smoothly and economically: eco-driving is part of the assessment.

Based on: Traficom: Driving test instructions from 1 July 2026 (PDF, Finnish) ↗

Official links

Ajovarma: Driving tests ↗Finlex: Driving Licence Act (Ajokorttilaki) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

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Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

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