The Finnish government wants to stop 17-year-olds from driving between midnight and 5 AM. Current exceptions for regular travel to activities or studies would face stricter requirements.
Under new draft legislation, teens would need to prove they travel the same route at least four times weekly. The journey must be at least seven kilometers walking distance when no public transport exists. Alternatively, the trip should take over 90 minutes using public transportation.
Current rules only require five kilometers walking distance or 60 minutes on public transport.
Parents would still verify these travel needs. Documentation standards would become more specific under the proposal.
Students could prove regular travel with school attendance certificates. Working teens would need employment contracts lasting at least two months.
Current rules accept shorter work periods for special permits.
For hobby-related travel, teens would need certificates from sports federations confirming targeted training. Art school participants would provide proof of basic art studies completion.
Breaking the night driving ban could bring fines and license suspensions. Police could issue 100 euro traffic violation fines for missing special identification markers on vehicles driven by 17-year-olds.
Driver training requirements would also increase. Mandatory risk recognition courses would expand by three theory lessons and one driving lesson.
License suspension training would cover more vehicle types including mopeds, tractors, and light quad bikes. The requirement would also apply to drivers facing temporary license suspensions.
Exam cheating would bring six-month bans from theory tests for both candidates and interpreters. New legislation would formally permit interpreter use during exams.
These changes align with government program goals to eliminate traffic deaths by 2050. Officials note that while traffic safety has improved, young drivers remain overrepresented in accident statistics.
This represents another policy shift affecting young Finns' mobility, following earlier restrictions that drew mixed reactions across the country.