Medical examiners of seafarers, railway doctors, railway psychologists and other healthcare professionals must inform Traficom if there is reason to doubt that a holder or an applicant for a personal licence does not meet the health requirements or psychological requirements. On this page, you can find instructions for submitting a notification and the notification form.
Notification duty of recognized medical practitioners of seafarers
The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on the notification duty of a medical examiner of seafarers. Notwithstanding the obligation to secrecy, a medical examiner of seafarers must inform Traficom if they suspect that a licence holder or applicant does not meet the health requirements for obtaining the licence. In addition to deck and engine officers, the duty of notification concerns the catering department.
The medical practitioner has a notification duty not only in connection with the medical fitness examinations of seafarers but in connection with other meetings and examinations as well. The medical practitioner must also attach to the notification the health information.
If the medical practitioner reports that the health condition requirements are not met based on the medical fitness examination of seafarers, all the medical fitness examination documents must be sent not only to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health but also as an attachment to the state of health notification sent to Traficom.
A state of health notification must also be submitted when the applicant is directed to apply for the first dispensation, or the illness that was the reason for applying for the previously granted dispensation has substantially worsened, or the applicant has developed a new illness requiring a dispensation.
Notification duty of railway doctors
The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on a railway doctor’s notification duty. Notwithstanding the obligation to secrecy, a railway doctor must inform Traficom if they suspect that a licence holder or applicant does not meet the health requirements for obtaining the licence. The notification duty applies only to drivers operating rolling stock.
The railway doctor has a notification duty not only in connection with medical examinations in accordance with the Act on Transport Services but in connection with other meetings and examinations as well. The railway doctor must also attach to the notification the health information.
If the railway doctor reports that the health requirements are not met in connection with the medical examination in accordance with the Act on Transport Services, all medical examination documents must be attached to the state of health notification sent to Traficom.
Notification duty of railway psychologists
The Act on Transport Services (section 208, subsection 2) contains provisions on a railway psychologist’s notification duty. Notwithstanding the obligation to secrecy, the railway psychologist who performed the personality assessment must inform Traficom if they suspect that a licence holder or applicant does not meet the psychological fitness requirements for obtaining the licence.
If the notification is submitted on the basis of a fitness assessment in accordance with the Act on Transport Services, the fitness assessment statement with attachments must be attached to the notification.
Notification right and duty of other healthcare professionals
Notwithstanding the obligation to secrecy, every healthcare professional has the right to inform Traficom if they suspect that the holder of a personal licence does not meet the health requirements. The notification must be submitted without undue delay if the health condition of the personal licence holder poses an immediate threat to traffic safety.
In the case of aviation, the notification right applies to professional aviators (flight and cabin crew and air traffic controllers) and recreational pilots, in the case of maritime transport, persons working in the deck, engine and catering departments, and in the case of railway transport, drivers of rolling stock who work in train traffic or shunting. The notification right does not apply to urban rail transport drivers.
A healthcare professional other than one approved by Traficom can only provide information in their notification that the person subject to the notification does not necessarily meet the health requirements set for the licence and what additional measures are proposed to more precisely clarify the health status or the resulting effects on the ability to function. Information about the actual state of health should not be attached to the notification.
Submit a notification to Traficom
Carefully fill in the Healthcare professional’s notification of non-fulfilment of medical fitness requirements form (Y401) and send it to Traficom using the secure e-mail service to the address kirjaamo@traficom.fi or by post to the address Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, PO Box 320, FI-00059 TRAFICOM. If the person’s state of health poses an immediate threat to traffic safety, the notification should be made by telephone (switchboard +358 29 534 5000). Before submitting the notification, the person in question should be informed of the healthcare professional’s right to submit a notification and of the influence of their state of health on their ability to function. The notification can be submitted without the person’s consent.
If necessary, remember to also submit a separate notification to the police (Traficom form F203) on changes in fitness to drive, if you find that the applicant for a driving licence permit or a holder of a right to drive fails to meet medical standards of fitness to drive. Nurses and health workers also have the right to notify the police if they suspect that a driving license applicant or a driving license holder does not meet the fitness to drive requirements due to continuous use of intoxicants.