Driving licence permit

What is a driving licence permit?

You will need a driving licence permit when

• you are applying for your first driving licence,
• you are upgrading your driving licence with new driving licence categories,
• you are applying to exchange a foreign driving licence for a Finnish licence or
• you are renewing your driving licence when it expires. 

You must have a driving licence permit when you take the theory and driving test for the driving examination.

You may apply for several driving licence categories with one driving licence permit.

You may only have one valid driving licence permit at a time.

The driving licence permit is valid for three years or as long as the driving licence categories have been completed.

Applying for a driving licence permit

A driving licence permit for a passenger car licence may be granted at the age of 16 at the earliest.

For a driving licence other than a passenger car licence, you may be granted a driving licence permit no earlier than one year before you reach the age required for the driving licence category you are applying for.

Do you meet the requirements?

• Your permanent place of residence is in Finland or you study in Finland and your studies have lasted for more than six months.
• You meet the health requirements for obtaining a driving licence permit.
• You meet the age requirement for the driving licence category you are applying for.
• You are not subject to a driving ban in Finland or another EU or EEA country.a

How to apply for a driving licence permit

You can apply for a driving licence permit in Traficom’s My e-Services or at an Ajovarma service point.

In My e-Services, select the driving licence service suitable for your situation.

• This is how you apply for a driver's license permit for your first driver's license
  • You do not yet have a driving licence in Finland or any other country.
• This is how you apply for a driving license permit to upgrade your driving license
  • You already have a driving licence but want to upgrade your driving licence categories.
• This is How you renew your driving licence
  • If your current driving licence is about to expire, apply for a driving licence permit in the Renewing your driving licence.

If you do not meet the conditions for driving licence services in My e-Services, you can apply for a driving licence permit at an Ajovarma service point. The application form is available at Ajovarma. Book an appointment for the service.

You will also need a driving licence permit if you exchange a foreign driving licence for a Finnish licence. In this case, apply for a driving licence permit from Ajovarma.

Attachments to the application for a driving licence permit

You cannot submit attachments to a driving licence permit application in My e-Services. See the service instructions for the requirements for using the services. If you need to submit attachments to your driving licence permit application, apply for a driving licence permit from Ajovarma.

You need or may need the following attachments:

• Proof of identity. You can prove your identity with a driving licence. If you do not have a driving licence, bring your Finnish passport or identity card with you.
• Two passport photographs. You do not need to bring photographs if
  • you have a valid passport or identity card and you give permission to use the photo on your driving licence. Traficom cannot use a photo company’s photo code for a driving licence.
  • you have submitted a photograph for a previous driving licence or other road transport permit to Traficom. You can be recognised in the photo and give permission to use it on your new driving licence.
• The medical certificate F122 on your driving capacity (valid for six months from the date of issue).

Please note the following important exceptions: 

• When you apply for a driving licence for a moped, light quadrimobile (moped car), tractor, motorcycle or passenger car (Group 1), you may be able to declare your compliance with the health requirements for a driving licence permit with your driving licence application or in the First driving licence service.

Check in advance whether you can make a self-declaration of compliance or if you need a medical certificate. See the First driving licence service page for more information.

• You will need a medical certificate if you have a Group 1 driving licence and are applying for a driving licence for a bus or a lorry (Group 2).
• You do not need a medical certificate if you already have a Group 1 right to drive and are applying for a right to drive belonging to the same group
• You do not need a medical certificate if you already have a Group 2 right to drive and are applying for a Group 1 or Group 2 right to drive.
• Examination certificate issued by the Finnish Defence Forces. If you wish to include the driving licence categories you have completed in the armed forces on your driving licence, please submit your examination certificate. If you submit the certificate within three years of completion, you do not need to submit a medical certificate.
• Certificate of instruction. Submit the certificate if you have upgraded your driving licence category for a motorcycle through driving instruction.

Forms 

Preliminary information form (External link) (in finnish)