Driving test law change could delay licenses by several weeks

Some Finnish driving students are trying to secure a test date before the rules change in October, but the rush has already pushed queues to as long as six weeks.

In Helsinki, the first available appointment listed around midday on Thursday was October 15. By the afternoon, the booking calendar had changed and showed some dates in late September. Kai Niukkanen, an entrepreneur at the East Helsinki driving school Autokoulu Start, said the school had managed to book several appointments for its students, although he expected them to disappear quickly.

Dozens of Start’s students were already waiting for September test slots. The demand reflects the approaching amendment to Finland’s driving licence law, which tightens the conditions for obtaining a licence. Many applicants are trying to take the test under the current rules to avoid mandatory extra training and its additional fees.

The basic training requirement for a category B licence remains unchanged. However, risk-awareness training, including instruction for slippery conditions and night driving, will rise from eight hours to 12. At least five of those hours must involve driving, compared with four now. Students who complete their training under the current rules but take the test in October or later will need at least three extra theory hours and one driving lesson.

Driving schools set their own prices, but CAP business director Marjo Koskinen estimated the extra training would cost about 100 to 200 euros. Traficom chief specialist Marjo Immonen said a small minority may need two extra driving hours, particularly students who have relied heavily on simulators. The law change has been known for some time, and its effects have been communicated since spring.

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We managed to book several appointments there for our students. I think they will go quickly, but it is worth following the calendar closely in case new ones appear again.