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The Finnish government has proposed a night-time driving ban for 17-year-olds holding provisional passenger car licences, as part of new efforts to improve road safety among young drivers.
Under the draft law, drivers aged 17 would be prohibited from operating passenger cars between midnight and 5.00. Police could issue fines and driving bans for violations. Vehicles driven by 17-year-olds would require a visible identifying sign to support enforcement.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications released the proposal on 27 October and opened a public consultation, which will run until 14 December.
The new restrictions would apply only to drivers who have received a licence through an exemption process. Exemptions are granted when the applicant has a regular and essential need for mobility, such as travel to school, work, or organised leisure activities.
The proposal would tighten eligibility criteria for these exemptions. Travel must occur at least four times per week, compared to the current unspecified standard of regularity. The one-way distance would need to be at least seven kilometres on foot or take over 90 minutes by public transport. Present rules allow five kilometres or 60 minutes.
Applicants would need to submit more detailed documentation, such as certificates of attendance or employment contracts lasting at least two months. For those involved in competitive sports or arts education, verification from a federation or institution would be required.
Parents or legal guardians would have to confirm the applicant’s travel needs. No exemption would be granted if the applicant is currently subject to, or has previously received, a driving ban or suspension. At present, some applicants may obtain an exemption despite past bans, though the licence itself is only granted once the disqualification ends.
The proposed night-time driving ban forms part of Finland’s broader road safety objectives. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government has committed to reducing road fatalities to zero by 2050. Despite improvements in recent years, young drivers remain overrepresented in traffic accident statistics.
The draft law also proposes extending mandatory risk recognition training. The training would include three additional theory lessons and one more driving session. These would apply to all new passenger car licence holders.
Training requirements would expand for disqualified drivers to include those using mopeds, light quadricycles and tractors. These changes would also apply to drivers temporarily suspended by police.
The proposal includes a provision allowing the use of interpreters in driving theory tests, which is currently managed by agency regulation. It would also authorise six-month bans for candidates or interpreters found cheating during the tests.
In addition, expired driving licences would no longer need to be returned to authorities. Holders could dispose of them independently, reducing administrative costs. Some licences could also be presented electronically in future.
The draft clarifies that a person subject to a disqualification may still take a new driving test if ordered by the police.
The Ministry also confirmed plans to begin a broader reform of the Driving Licence Act later this year. The project will align national legislation with the updated EU Driving Licence Directive, which introduces digital driving permits and harmonises driving disqualification rules.
The reform follows approval of the new EU directive by the European Parliament on 21 October. Member states must implement the directive within four years of its publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
