DL - New driver info



Congratulations on your new driver's license!

See important information for new drivers. Learn how to buy a car and download useful apps for drivers.

You can drive with a driving training certificate (Traficom form E100) written by the person who took the driving test, until the real driving license is sent to your home by post. Before you receive your driving license, keep your ID card with you in addition to the E100 form while driving. The delivery time for the driving license is normally about 2 weeks, but if you have not received your driving license at home within a month, contact the Ajovarma office by phone. The driving license certificate is normally valid for six months from the driving test.

With a driving license certificate (E100), you can only drive a vehicle in mainland Finland, not in the Åland Islands or outside Finland. When you receive your real driving license, you can also drive in other EU and EEA countries. Please note that in other countries you can only drive a car at the age of 18, so the 17-year-old exemption is only valid in Finland. If you are going to drive outside Europe, make sure you need an international driving license.

A driver's license is normally valid for 15 years, after which you must replace your driver's license with new photos.

Stricter driving monitoring of new drivers


A new driver can be disqualified more easily than more experienced drivers for traffic violations during the first two years of obtaining a driver's license. If a new driver is disqualified, he or she must complete a driving disqualification training course before he or she can get his or her license back.

A new driver can be disqualified if he or she commits three traffic violations within two years, or two traffic violations within one year. Such violations include speeding and endangering traffic safety. A driving disqualification can be imposed for a single violation when the driver grossly endangers traffic safety or drives a vehicle while intoxicated.

Buying a car

If you are planning to buy a car, first consider what kind of car you really need and what you can afford. It is advisable to buy a newer and slightly smaller car rather than a large older car. Choose a safe car instead of a powerful one. Almost all new cars for sale offer good safety, and you can also buy a safe used car for little money.
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When buying a used car, check the car's history and make sure that the previous owners have paid the car's taxes. You must register the car in your name within 7 days of purchase. Before registering, you need motor vehicle insurance. Test drive the car, because when buying a used car, you need to know the condition of the car. Turn off the car radio so that you can hear all the sounds.

  • Check the service book
    Most cars are serviced annually. If left unattended, the condition of the car's engine and its auxiliary equipment can deteriorate significantly. In Finland, it is recommended to change the oil annually. The service book can also be used to assess whether the car's mileage is correct.
  • Condition of the windscreen
    The windscreen must not have any cracks. Small marks on the glass can be repaired, but repairs should be carried out soon to prevent the glass from cracking. Cracked glass must be replaced with a new one so that the car is road legal.

  • Paint scratches
    Rock chips on the front of the car are normal, but if they have not been repaired. Also make sure there are no signs of a crash on the car body.

  • Condition of the interior
    Check the seat upholstery and other signs of wear inside. You can estimate how much the car has been driven by the wear on the steering wheel. The steering wheel of a car with less than 100,000 km should still be in pretty good condition.

  • Steering
    Drive at different speeds and see how the car moves. The car should drive straight at highway speeds. After a curve, the steering should return to straight by itself.

  • Brake noise
    During a test drive, listen to the noises when braking. If you hear noises from the brakes when braking, you may need to have them repaired. This is not expensive, but it is something to consider when buying a car. If the car has been parked for a long time, you may hear noises from the brakes at first, but the noise should disappear after a few braking manoeuvres.

  • Bumps from the chassis
    Drive on uneven roads and over speed bumps. The car should travel smoothly and there should be no louder noises from the chassis.

  • Tire condition
    By law, the tread depth of your car's tires must be at least 1.6mm for summer tires and 3mm for winter tires. However, it is recommended to replace your tires when the tread depth is around 4mm. Old tires have hardened and their grip has weakened. You can see the year and week of manufacture of the tires from the DOT marking. Remember to also check the condition of the other tires that come with them. If the studded tires have missing studs or they are worn out, you may have to buy new tires soon after purchase.

  • Test the operation of electrical devices
    Try the operation of all electrical devices. Test whether the electrically adjustable mirrors and electric windows work. Test the operation of the locks. Make sure the car lights work.

    • Katso myynnissä olevat autot: www.nettiauto.com




    Useful apps for motorists



    The Waze navigation app provides information on the above traffic situations. You can see the driving speed via GBS and the speed limits generally in force on the road. However, please note that speed limits can change and the maps may contain incorrect limits. Downloading the app is free.

    Download the Waze app to your phone:

    The St1 app gives you benefits at St1 gas stations. Pay for fuel conveniently through the app. Using the app, you get discounts on fuel, HelmiSimpukka restaurant services and car washes.

    Lataa St1 sovellus puhelimeen:

    With the ABC app, you can refuel your car or charge your electric car at ABC stations. You also get offers on restaurant services and car washes.

    Lataa ABC sovellus puhelimeen:

    Moovy is a parking app from Finland. You can conveniently pay for parking through the app. The company that provides the app charges its own user fee for parking.

    Lataa Moovy sovellus puhelimeen:

    The EasyPark deal is available in a wide range of cities and parking garages. You can conveniently pay for parking via the app. The company providing the app charges its own usage fee for parking.

    Download the EasyPark app to your phone:




    DL_FREE book is freely available for driving studies and includes linked videos. Copying the book and its parts is prohibited. The book is provided to driving school students by DL Oppimaterialit and SG-IAF.