1. Finnish driver education renewal
Chief Adviser Nelly Rontti
Finnish Transport Safety Agency

2. Working group for the development of driving instruction and professional competence education
Term: October 2013 – February 2014
The task: make development proposals and assess the differences and opportunities of instruction- and examination-based training in driving licence and professional competence education
The background: traffic safety in Finland is deteriorating (average by EU comparison but behind other Nordic countries); less interest towards obtaining a driving licence; the price of a driving licence; and other countries' positive achievements in driving instruction and traffic safety

3. EU regulations
Driving licence requirements and professional competence education are regulated by EU legislation
The EU sets strict regulations on the minimum age, other requirements and the validity periods for the right to drive
Driving instruction for a car driving licence has more country-specific room for manoeuvre.

4. Working group proposals – quick measures
Improve the implementation of driving instruction for a car driving licence
Increase the use of simulation training in light vehicle driving licence training
Stop issuing short-term driving licences (driving licences are issued on the condition of completing the practice and advanced phases of driving instruction)
If professional competence that lowers the minimum age is obtained as part of vocational training, the organisation of vocational training is made easier as the requirements for obtaining a driving licence and professional competence are made more compatible

5. Working group proposals continue…
Transition to an examination-based driving instruction system (light vehicles)
Certain instruction elements should be regulated (climate and weather conditions)
Changes to take effect during the next government term. Conduct an impact assessment.
Transition to one-phase driving instruction system
Starting age for B class driving licence driver education: 16 years
Assessment of the introduction of the temporally and regionally limited right to drive

6. Working group proposals…
Professional competence
National legislation requires development (alleviations)
Active lobbying at EU level (age limits; parallel use of instruction and examination systems; maintain the flexibility of further training and transition to lifelong learning)
Labour market training: additional training for reserve drivers
Make use of apprenticeship training
Ensure the driver training resources of the Finnish Defence Forces