A former driving test examiner in Finland received a conviction for misconduct after helping immigrants pass their driving exams. The Kymenlaakso District Court found the 66-year-old retiree guilty of five deliberate violations during his duties between 2019 and 2021. He received 20 day fines totaling 760 euros plus legal costs of 5,857 euros.
The examiner worked as a driving test administrator for approximately 15 years before retiring. During his final years at testing center Ajovarma, he developed a reputation for being lenient with immigrant applicants. Word spread that Kouvola offered easier driving tests than other regions.
Transportation authorities noticed unusual patterns. Some applicants who struggled in the Helsinki metropolitan area obtained licenses quickly through the Kouvola testing center. This discrepancy raised concerns within the driving instruction industry about testing consistency across Finland.
The case reveals challenges in Finland's driver licensing system for non-native speakers. The Nordic country maintains strict driving standards but faces integration challenges with its growing immigrant population. Testing procedures must balance fairness with road safety requirements.
Court documents detailed specific violations. Twice during practical exams, the examiner failed to request mandatory reversing maneuvers from candidates. He also provided improper guidance during driving tests when regulations prohibit commentary during performance.
In one theory test incident, he permitted a candidate to communicate with an Arabic interpreter in Finnish. The applicant, a fifty-year-old man seeking a bus license, reportedly knew English well and reasonable Finnish but little Arabic. Regulations required him to take the test without interpretation in either English or Finnish.
The Arabic interpreter allegedly provided answers to multiple-choice questions for nine car license applicants. When options were labeled A, B, C, and D, the interpreter reportedly said in Arabic: 'one, two, three, four.' Only three of these nine applicants ultimately passed their theory tests despite this assistance.
Prosecutors initially investigated bribery allegations but dropped those charges. The examiner claimed he acted humanely toward immigrants, trying to reduce their anxiety to improve driving performance. He argued he only passed applicants he considered non-dangerous in traffic and maintained normal rejection rates.
The court acknowledged his normal rejection percentages but found five clear legal violations that were deliberate rather than accidental. These systematic failures compromised testing integrity over an extended period.
Finland's transport agency Traficom requested a police investigation into suspected bribery in late 2020. The extensive investigation covered multiple years but resulted in different charges than initially expected.
In the same court proceedings, a 40-year-old man with immigrant background received 20 day fines for attempting to bribe an Ajovarma employee in 2020. The worker rejected the bribe offer and reported it to authorities.
The court dismissed charges against the interpreter and ten license applicants for registry offenses. Judges determined they hadn't understood that transport authorities would permanently record their answers.
This case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in driver testing procedures. As Finland continues integrating immigrants, ensuring consistent testing standards remains crucial for road safety. The conviction demonstrates authorities' commitment to maintaining testing integrity despite integration challenges.
The ruling is not yet legally binding and remains subject to appeal.