This article is based on our student's stories and official information from Finnish authorities. Let's start with a question Do you already have drivel license from your country? If the answer is yes, so you may exchange driver license in Finland pretty easy.
If you are from EU or EEA (Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom or Iceland you already have a valid driver license. When it is outdated you may exchange it for a Finnish one if you want.
As well as you are from Ukraine, since 2022 Ukrainian documents are considered valid in Europe. But after 2 years of residence you are obliged to exchange your drivers license for a Finnish one.
If you are not from EU or EEA, and your country has ratified the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention is valid in Finland when visiting as a tourist until the licence expires. It is also valid for two years after its holder moves permanently to Finland, after 2 years you have to exchange it for a Finnish one. List of the countries from official Finnish driving authority.
To make an exchange go to Ajovarma service and submit the application. For some countries you will have to pass medical exam at governmental or private medical institution. If you go through terveyskeskus you may wait months for appointment because this way you don't have to pay for a visit. With a private one your certificate is ready the same day or the day after.
Ajovarma will invite you to one of their centers and submit your application, during the process you will receive ajotodistus a document confirming that you are waiting for your Finnish driving license, with this certificate you can drive until you receive your driving permit.
If your country is not EU or EEA member and not ratified the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention you have to study full course in driving school. Unfortunately it is possible only in Finnish language (as well as all tests) and you have to attend classes and there is a minimum amount of practical lessons. Price of all the educational process in driving school starts from €5000.
Knowing Finnish is a mandatory for studying in driving school, sometimes driving authorities may ask for YKI-test (Finnish language evaluation test) to allow you attend exams. In our school we have a lot of really interesting fun Finnish language courses online and we also study driving vocabulary because Finland is not a country where you may rely on public transportation unless you live in a big city like Helsinki, Tampere or Turku.
