How to prepare for the theory test
The purpose of the theory test is to ensure that the candidate for a driving licence has the sufficient knowledge and competence required for responsible driving.
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 exemption 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.
Booking a time for the theory test
Book a time for the theory test at an Ajovarma service point or arrange the booking with your driving school.
What to take to the theory test?
Take the following documents to the theory test:
- a photo ID
- a certificate of instruction and examination (Traficom E100) with the theory instructions section filled out
- a certificate of the training for candidates for first driving licences (EAS), if you are applying for your first driving licence
- a consent form from your official guardian, if the minimum age for the licence you are applying for is below 18 and you are a minor. Your guardian’s details will be checked from the Population Information System.
- a statement of consent from your educational institution, if you are under 17 years and 11 months and you are applying for a category B driving licence.
- a statement of consent from your educational institution if you are under 21 and have no professional competence (for Group 2 categories).
Mobile phones, earphones and other communication devices cannot be taken into the theory 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. You can book a time directly from the Ajovarma online booking service. 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.
Course of the theory test
Before starting the test, a program on the tablet will guide you through the test process. These instructions will not take up any of the time afforded to taking the test.
You have 30 minutes for the questions and picture tasks. A longer period of time can also be given for the theory test (60 minutes) if certain criteria are met (more on this topic on the right side of this page).
On the table below you can see how the theory test is constructed. The questions are divided into three different sections: category specific multiple-choice questions, picture tasks on traffic situations, and risk identification questions. The minimum score must be achieved for each section. In the table you can see the number of questions asked for each section, and in brackets the minimum score for each section is shown.
| Right to drive category |
Multiple-choice questions |
Picture tasks |
Risk identification
questions
|
| A1, A2, A |
20 (14) |
50 (43) |
5 (4) |
| AM/120, AM/121, T, B |
15 (11) |
50 (43) |
5 (4) |
| BE, C1, C1E, D1, D1E |
10 (7) |
30 (26) |
5 (4) |
| C, CE, D, DE |
20 (14) |
30 (26) |
5 (4) |
Results
After the test you can immediately see on the tablet whether you have passed or failed. Section-specific feedback is also visible immediately on the tablet after the test. The number of correct answers is crucial in the theory test.
The tablet programme sends the feedback to the candidate’s email address. If you do not have an email address, the service point staff may print out the test feedback for you.
A passed theory test is valid for one year.
Extended response time
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 the theory test at least once.
-
The candidate is entitled for extended testing time on health grounds:
- the candidate is deaf;
- the candidate has dyslexia.
- The candidate is entitled for extended response time on other health grounds. With Trafi’s consent, the service point staff may also approve some other health reason.
The applicant must present a written statement or certificate from a healthcare professional if they wish to take the test with an extended response time on health grounds.
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 proving the qualification is required.
In the case of small language groups for which there are no trained interpreters, the interpreter must be a person considered suitable for the task in question.
In such exceptional circumstances, the person wishing to serve as an interpreter during the theory test must request approval from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency.
If no qualified interpreters are available at reasonable cost, permission can be requested from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency for interpretation via a communications device. If the Agency approves the request, it may also grant an exemption from the prohibition against bringing communications devices into the space in which the theory test takes place.
The candidate taking the test is responsible for any costs incurred as a result of using an interpreter.
The interpreter may not see the test material. 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. If there is justified suspicion of the misuse of the interpretation, the examiner must remove the interpreter from the test situation. The candidate may finish the test without the interpreter.
Exceptions to the requirements regarding interpreters' qualifications
In the case of small language groups for which there are no qualified interpreters available, a person wishing to provide interpretation during a theory test may apply to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency for approval. Applications should be submitted in free form and contain the following information:
- Why are no interpreters available who fulfil the relevant requirements regarding training and qualifications?
- What is the target language?
- For what date and time has the test been booked, or when is the candidate planning to sit the test?
- Who is the test candidate for whom the interpretation is provided?
- Is the relationship between the interpreter and the candidate such that the interpreter is disqualified to provide interpretation for the candidate?
- On what basis do you consider that your skills are sufficient to serve as an interpreter during the theory test?
Applications should be submitted to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency’s Registry at kirjaamo(at)traficom.fi. An exemption from the requirements regarding qualifications may be granted for one theory test at a time. Approximately one month should be reserved for the processing of the application.
