Statistics on driving licence age exception permits

The number of age exception permits issued to 17-year-olds began to rise in autumn 2018 when, as a result of the reform of the Driver’s Licence Act, permit applicants were no longer required to present a weighty reason for the granting of an age exception permit. Applicants are only required to give special reasons that are usually related to traffic connections. Since the requirement to provide a weighty reason for the granting of an age exception permit was removed and the application prerequisites became less strict, it has been easier to take the individual transport needs of each applicant and driving licence candidate into consideration. The objective is to make moving around easier for young people and improve their vocational training and employment opportunities across Finland, where the distances are long and traffic connections are often poor.

After being granted an age exception permit, the applicant must complete the Finnish driving examination. In other words, they must pass the theory and driving test in order to acquire a driving licence. A young person can start taking the mandatory driving instruction at the age of 16. In conclusion, an age exception permit does not entitle a young person to drive or get a passenger car driving licence without completed training. The same training and skill requirements and the examination process apply to all drivers.