The Ministry of Transport and Communications has initiated reforms to driving license training. The goal is to enable alternative teaching methods and to lighten regulations. A further goal is to lower the cost of obtaining a driving license. The reforms will affect all driving licence categories except those for trucks and buses.
The current system for obtaining a driving licence is based on both abilities obtained through set curriculum-based teaching as well as competency demonstrated through a driving test. A curriculum also has to be followed in driving instructor training. Teaching from elsewhere or teaching carried out in a different way cannot be used to obtain a driving licence.
'The tight regulations on driving instruction in Finland have created a barrier to the implementation of new teaching and learning methods. The legislative reforms will open up opportunities for individual study, for the use of available information, and for taking advantage of digitalisation,' said Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner.
For example, it will be possible to freely choose from different digital teaching and learning methods for obtaining the knowledge and skills required for acquiring a driving licence. This can then have an impact on the cost of driving licences, as most of the current expense is due to the cost of driving instruction.
'The average cost of obtaining a B-class driving licence in Finland is around €2000. The reforms are intended to provide more alternatives for obtaining a licence. The driving and theory tests will be retained, but teaching and learning methods will be changed by offering increased flexibility instead of the current compulsory classroom teaching,' Ms Berner explains.
With the reforms, driving instruction will become more test-centred as regulations will focus on the testing procedure rather than the instruction.
The planned legislative changes will support the government's goal of deregulation.
The Ministry has circulated for comment a board background memorandum which describes the objectives of the reform, the current state of legislation and examples from other countries.
The process of circulation for comment will survey the views of stakeholder groups on instruction, driver training, tests and other driving license regulations. The deadline for statements is 18 November 2016.
Further information
Director of Unit Sabina Lindström +358 (0)40 527 6103
Counsellor of Government Eija Maunu +358 (0)40 716 4140
