Exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Finnish licence
- Permit or other obligation
- Nationwide except the Åland Islands
- Public service
In this site you will find information about exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Finnish licence.
Exchanging a driving licence issued in an EU or EEA Member State
You may drive in Finland on the basis of a licence issued in an EU or EEA Member State, for as long as the licence is valid. If you are permanently living in Finland or have studied here for at least six months, you may exch ...
Do the following
When you exchange your driver's license issued in an EU or EEA country, take with you to Ajovarma
- Your driving licence issued in an EU or EEA country or, if you do not have the driving licence a driving licence extract from the country that issued your driving licence.
- Your passport or other official ID
- Two passport pictures (However, if you have a valid Finnish passport or identity card, you do not need new passport pictures for a driving licence).
You may also need:
- a medical certificate (valid for 6 months), if the EU or EEA licence you are exchanging has expired or you want to upgrade your driving licence from Group 1 to Group 2 at the same time,
- a study certificate, if you have been studying in Finland for at least 6 months, but you are not living permanently in Finland.
When you exchange your driver's license issued in a Contracting State for a Finnish licence take with you to Ajovarma
- your passport or other official ID
- two passport pictures (However, if you have a valid Finnish passport or identity card, you do not need new passport pictures)
- a medical certificate (valid for 6 months)
- your foreign licence (plus an official translation into Finnish, Swedish or English if the licence is written in a non-Latin alphabet)
You must submit your foreign driving licence, as an attachment to your application, to Ajovarma, which will send it to Traficom for safekeeping. You will be issued with a temporary driving licence while your licence is in the process of being exchanged. The temporary driving licence will be valid for 6 months or for a shorter period either until your foreign driving licence expires or you have been permanently living in Finland for 2 years.
Driving licences not granted by an EU, EEA or Contracting State
Submit a driving licence permit application for your foreign driving licence at Ajovarma. When visiting Ajovarma, take with you your foreign driving licence and a medical certificate (valid for 6 months) stating your driving ability. You may need also two passport pictures. However, if you have a valid Finnish passport or identity card, you do not need new passport pictures.