You need a Category D driving licence to drive a bus or coach, and a category DE driving licence to drive a vehicle combination. The minimum age requirement for categories D and DE is 24 years.
You need a Category D1 driving licence to drive smaller buses or coaches and a Category D1E driving licence to drive a vehicle combination. The minimum age requirement in categories D1 and D1E is 21 years.
Do the following
Apply for a driving licence permit
You need a driving licence permit to participate in the theory and driving test.
Apply for a driving licence permit for upgrading your driving licence.
Participate in driving instruction, i.e. theory lessons and practical driving instruction
You can obtain the instruction required for the driving examination at a driving school, at a vocational institution or with a driving instruction permit.
At a driving school or with a driving instruction permit, you can start driving instruction six months before you meet the minimum age requirement.
When you participate in driving instruction for a bus and coach, you must have a valid Category B driving licence, which is a driving licence for passenger cars.
You may only take driving instruction for vehicle combinations, or Category D1E or DE vehicles, when you have been issued with a right to drive a towing vehicle.
Take the theory test
You can obtain the instruction required for the driving examination at a driving school, at a vocational institution or with a driving instruction permit.
At a driving school or with a driving instruction permit, you can start driving instruction six months before you meet the minimum age requirement.
When you participate in driving instruction for a bus and coach, you must have a valid Category B driving licence, which is a driving licence for passenger cars.
You may only take driving instruction for vehicle combinations, or Category D1E or DE vehicles, when you have been issued with a right to drive a towing vehicle.
If necessary, take the handling test
The handling test is completed only in categories D1E and DE. You can take the handling test when you have passed the theory test and meet the age requirement. If you are banned from driving, you cannot take the handling test.
In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The organiser of the handling test will verify its validity in Traficom’s system.
The handling test is organised by Ajovarma.
Take the driving test
You can take the driving test when you have passed the theory test, the handling test in categories D1E and DE, and you meet the minimum age requirement. If you are banned from driving, you cannot take the driving test.
Bring the following to your driving test:
- a valid photo ID, such as a passport or an ID card
- the certificate of instruction and examination. You get the form from your driving school, educational institution or instructor with a driving instruction permit.
In addition, you need a valid driving licence permit. The organiser of the driving test checks its validity from Traficom’s system.
The driving test is organised by Ajovarma.
After you have passed the theory 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 bus or coach 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 for a bus and coach is valid for 5 years at a time. When you reach the age of 68, the driving licence is valid for 2 years at a time. The driving licence must be renewed when its validity ends.