How to prepare for the theory test

Preparing for a theory test

The theory test gauges the candidate’s knowledge of traffic rules and capacity to observe traffic risks and dangerous situations. You can prepare for the theory test by following the instructions given by your driving school or instructor with a driving instruction permit or by studying the driving examination skills requirements .

There is a lot of study material online as well as different kinds of practice courses and programmes for practising for the theory test. The tasks in the practice materials are not however the same as the tasks in the official theory test, so try to read and study in such a way that you understand the things needed for the theory test.

Conditions for taking the theory test

The earliest you can take the theory test is one month before reaching the minimum age. Candidates with an age exception permit may take the category B theory test once they have turned 17. The minimum age for taking the category T theory test is 15.

The theory test is always to be completed before the driving test.

Theory test location and equipment

The theory test is always carried out at one of the service points of Traficom’s service provider Ajovarma (External link). You can book a time directly from the Ajovarma online booking service (External link). There is a charge for the theory test which can be paid either when booking the test or when arriving to the test. The cost of a theory test can be viewed here (External link).

Fraudulent conduct

Mobile phones, headphones or other communication or recording devices, or materials or equipment that can be used to complete the examination by cheating or copy the examination questions or otherwise transmit them to other parties, cannot be taken into the theory test examination area.

The theory test must be taken as an oral test if the candidate for a driving licence has previously been guilty of fraudulent conduct in a test for the licence category in question.

Oral theory test

Candidates may take the theory test with extended response time (60 minutes) when one of the following requirements are met:

• The candidate's mother tongue is other than Finnish, Swedish or English and the person does not have good command of any of these languages.
• The candidate is illiterate.
• The candidate is at least 75 years old and has failed their theory test at least once after turning 75.

There is always an examiner present in an oral theory test. The examiner can read the questions out loud in the language of the test. 

The theory test must be taken as an oral test if the candidate for a driving licence has previously been guilty of fraudulent conduct in a test for the licence category in question.

Oral theory test on health grounds

The candidate is entitled for extended testing time on health grounds when one of the following requirements are met:

• when the candidate is deaf and their first language is sign language.
• when the candidate has dyslexia or difficulty with reading and writing. In this event, the candidate must present a certificate of their condition signed by a qualified professional (e.g. special needs teacher, school social worker or similar).
• when the candidate is entitled for extended response time on other health grounds. The service point staff may also approve some other health reason with consent from Traficom. In this event, the candidate must present a statement or certificate from a healthcare professional containing the ICD-10 diagnosis of the concern or disability or the health grounds making them eligible for extending the theory test response time.

There is always an examiner present in an oral theory test. The examiner can read the questions out loud in the language of the test. 

Using an interpreter in the test

If the theory test candidate’s mother tongue is other than Finnish, Swedish or English and they do not have sufficient skills in any of these languages, or if they are illiterate or deaf, an interpreter may be used when taking the theory test.

The interpreter must be a qualified professional with a degree related to interpretation. A certificate or diploma (issued by a university, university of applied sciences or vocational institution) proving the qualification is required at the latest upon arrival to the theory test. Other certificates, such as work references, are not accepted forms of proving qualifications. Alternatively, the interpreter must be listed in the Finnish Register of Court Interpreters maintained by the Finnish National Agency for Education (oikeustulkkirekisteri). If you are unsure whether your interpreter is qualified, please ensure their qualifications well in advance. If you cannot ensure the qualifications of your interpreter, the test cannot be completed. The customer is responsible for the costs of acquiring an interpreter.

If you need an interpreter for the theory test, book an appointment by calling the Ajovarma customer service (External link).