Helsinki, May 16, 2026 — The Europe Today: Finland is set to introduce new driving licence reforms that will ban all 17-year-old drivers from operating vehicles at night as part of broader measures aimed at improving road safety and reducing accidents among young motorists.
The government submitted the proposed changes for approval on May 13. The law is expected to enter into force on May 29, 2026, pending presidential confirmation.
Under the new rules, 17-year-old drivers will be prohibited from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. Any violation of the restriction will typically result in a fine and a driving ban.
The reforms also significantly tighten eligibility criteria for age exemption permits, which currently allow some 17-year-olds to obtain a passenger car licence before reaching 18.
Going forward, applicants must demonstrate a regular need to travel at least four times a week for education, employment, or hobbies. They must also meet strict distance or travel-time thresholds if public transport is unavailable.
Students will be required to provide official certification from educational institutions, while working applicants must submit employment contracts of at least two months. Hobby-based applications must be supported by documentation from recognized sports or arts organizations. Applicants must also have no prior or current driving bans.
From October 1, underage drivers will also be required to display a special vehicle marking sign. Failure to comply will result in a €100 penalty, while not carrying the exemption permit may incur a €40 fine.
Lulu Ranne said the reform is designed to enhance safety and better prepare young drivers for responsible road use.
“Every young person must be able to travel more safely to school, work and hobbies when needed,” Ranne said in an official statement.
The changes follow growing concern over the rising number of licences issued to 17-year-olds since Finland relaxed its licensing rules in 2018. By 2024, exemption permits were being granted to as many as one in four 17-year-olds.
Data from Finnish Transport and Communications Agency indicates that young drivers face significantly higher fatal crash risks compared to older age groups. Between 2023 and 2025, the fatality rate among 17–19-year-old drivers was 4.1 per 100,000 licences, compared to 1.6 among drivers aged 45–74.
In 2025 alone, six drivers aged 17–20 and nine passengers in the same age group lost their lives in passenger vehicle crashes, underscoring the government’s rationale for stricter regulations.
