Driving licence in Finland
In Finland, the car driver's training can be obtained either in a private driving school or given by a near relative who has a driver's licence. If the person is trained by a relative, the relative must obtain a special instructor's permit and have a car fitted and inspected with an extra set of brake pedals for the front passenger. The training for B class licence requires 18 hours of instructed driving, including a spell on a slippery driving course, and 19 theory lessons. After this, the person must pass a computerized theory test and a driving test in city traffic with a minimum length of 30 minutes. C class training is similar, but longer.[1]
The initial licence is issued for two years. During this time, the new driver may receive a maximum of two traffic fines in total. If the number of fines is exceeded, the licence is revoked and the driver is required to re-take the exam. Even with one fine, the interim period may be extended for a maximum of two years. During the interim period, there are two different phases. Phase called practicing period which consist self learning and some teaching in a driving school. Practicing period takes at least three months. After that you have to complete advanced phase, which includes a slippery driving course, some education in a driving school and participate in dark time driving training, unless this was part of the initial training. (Finnish lighting conditions prevent the dark time training during summer.)
The motorcycles are divided in three categories. Anyone born before 1985 may drive a moped. Persons born in 1985 or after may obtain a moped driver's licence at the age of 15. This requires training in a driving school or by your relative. After that there's a theoretical test and short handling test. The A1 licence, allowing the use of light motorbikes, may be obtained at the age of 16. The practical training is done independently in traffic after a training permit has been obtained from the police. Theoretical training includes 12 theory lessons. A person who has A1 licence can get an A2 after holding the A1 for two years by completing an additional training course in a driving school. After two years of A2 licence, it can be turned into full A licence with extra training in a driving school. After the age of 24, a person can obtain the A licence directly, without holding an A1 licence first.
The use of tractors and motorized sleighs is allowed for anyone with a valid B class licence. However, it is possible to obtain the T class licence for these vehicles already at the age of 15 by passing a simple theory exam.