Using an interpreter in the test
If the theory test candidate’s mother tongue is not Finnish, Swedish or English and they do not have sufficient skills in any of these languages, or if they are deaf with sign language as their first language, an interpreter may be used when taking the theory test.
The interpreter must be a qualified professional. A certificate (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 an official register, such as the search service maintained by the Finnish Association of Translators and Interpreters (SKTL) or 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.
Permission to serve as a remote interpreter – applying for a permit
The availability of qualified interpreters may vary regionally, which is why remote interpreting (e.g. by phone from another location) may be allowed in the theory test in exceptional situations. Only qualified interpreters may serve as remote interpreters. Remote interpreters may also be used if no interpreter is available at a cost deemed reasonable.
The person serving as a remote interpreter must apply for permission from Traficom in advance. The applications are processed as soon as possible and at least within one month of the application arriving at Traficom. An exception for remote interpreting can be granted for one interpreting session at a time.
The person applying for the permit to serve as a remote interpreter must provide a free-form account of the following:
- name and date of birth of the interpreter
- language being interpreted
- name and date of birth of the customer who needs the interpreter
- time and place of the interpreting session
- a declaration of not being disqualified or biased to serve as the interpreter
A copy of an educational certificate must be attached to the application (university, university of applied sciences or vocational education).
The application must be submitted to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency’s registry via e-mail at kirjaamo(at)traficom.fi or by letter to the address Liikenne- ja viestintävirasto Traficom, Kumpulantie 9, 00520 Helsinki.
The permit or rejection letter will be mailed to the applicant (interpreter).
Exceptions to the requirements regarding interpreters' qualifications – applying for permission
Finding a qualified interpreter for people who speak a small minority language may be difficult. Interpreters for languages in these small language groups with no available qualified interpreters (even remotely) may apply for an exception to the qualification requirements. Regional difficulties in the availability of interpreters are not, however, an automatic justification for granting an exceptional permit to an unqualified interpreter.
The person serving as an interpreter must be suitable for the task. They may not be challengeable, for example. Being a friend of or related to the candidate or having a financial relationship with the candidate are grounds for disqualification. The suitability of the interpreter is investigated by Traficom prior to granting the permit.
Please note that you must have booked your test before submitting an application for an exceptional permit.
The person applying for the permit must provide a free-form account of the following:
- name and date of birth of the interpreter
- language being interpreted
- name and date of birth of the customer who needs the interpreter
- time and place of the interpreting session (the time should be booked approximately one month in advance at the time of submitting the application)
- a declaration of not being disqualified or biased to serve as the interpreter
The application must be submitted to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency’s registry via e-mail at kirjaamo(at)traficom.fi or by letter to the address Liikenne- ja viestintävirasto Traficom, Kumpulantie 9, 00520 Helsinki.
The applications are processed in the order they are received and at least within one month of the application arriving at Traficom.
An exception in the interpreter qualifications can be granted for one interpreting session at a time.
The permit or rejection letter will be mailed to the applicant (interpreter).
Serving as an interpreter in the theory test
The examiner reads the questions out loud and the interpreter translates the examiner’s speech for the test candidate. It is the examiner’s responsibility to ensure that the interpreter is not able to influence the test candidate’s answers.
During the test, both the candidate and the interpreter are responsible for ensuring that the tools and connections required for interpretation function properly. The candidate may select the device and software used for the connection and they are responsible for the operation of the connection during the test. The examiner must check the identity of the interpreter before starting the test.
In an oral test, both the customer and the interpreter have the option of using a printed dictionary. The dictionary may be in the form of a printed file drafted by the interpreter themselves. You must not, however, write anything onto the material during the test, meaning that you may not have a pen or pencil with you. The material may be examined before starting the test.
If there is justified cause to suspect that the interpreting service has been misused, the examiner shall remove the interpreter from the session. In this event, the candidate may finish the test without their interpreter.
