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 a driving licence permit application

In the My e-Services service, you cannot add attachments to your driving licence permit application. Read about the requirements for using the services in the service instructions. If you need to submit attachments for your driving licence permit application, apply for the permit at Ajovarma.

When you visit Ajovarma, you will 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 a Finnish passport or identity card.
• 2 passport photos. You do not need to bring photos if
  • you have a valid passport or identity card and give permission to use the photo on it for your driving licence. Traficom cannot use the photo code provided by a photo studio for a driving licence.
  • you have previously submitted a photograph to Traficom for a driving licence or another road traffic permit card. You are recognisable in the photo and give permission to use it for your new driving licence.
• Medical certificate on fitness to drive (F122) (valid for 6 months from the date of issue).
• Certificate of examination from the Finnish Defence Forces. If you want the driving licence categories you completed in the military to be added to your driving licence, submit the examination certificate. If you submit the certificate within 3 years, you do not need to provide a medical certificate.
• Certificate of instruction. Submit the certificate if you have upgraded a motorcycle category through driver training.
• Power of attorney. If another person handles the matter on your behalf, they will need a power of attorney. A power of attorney template is available at the bottom of the page.

Exceptions to submitting a medical certificate

When applying for your first moped, moped car, tractor, motorcycle or passenger car driving licence (a Group 1 driving licence), you may in some cases declare in the driving licence permit application or in the First Driving Licence service that you meet the health requirements for a driving licence permit.

Check in advance whether you can give your own declaration or whether you need a medical certificate.

You need a medical certificate if you have a Group 1 driving licence and apply for a bus or truck driving licence (a Group 2 driving licence).

You do not need a medical certificate if you already have a valid

• Group 1 driving licence and apply for a new driving entitlement in the same group
• Group 2 driving licence and apply for a driving entitlement in Group 1 or Group 2.

Forms 

Medical history for assessing fitness to drive (External link)

Power of attorney for driving licence and other personal road traffic permits (External link)