You need a category D driving licence to drive a bus or coach and a category DE driving licence to drive a vehicle combination.
The minimum age requirement for categories D and DE is 24.
The minimum age requirement for driving vehicles in categories D1 and D1E (smaller buses and coaches) is 21.
Licences for the different D categories are primarily valid for five years.
All bus and coach drivers working in commercial transport must have professional competence.
You can obtain a driving licence for a bus and coach by taking the following three steps:
Driving licence permit
You must have a valid driving licence permi t to take a driving examination. You can apply for the permit at an office of Traficom's service provider Ajovarma (External link). The driving licence permit is the prerequisite for taking a driving examination. You should apply for it in good time before booking a time for the theoretical test. You can also book a time for the examination at Ajovarma.
Driving instruction
You can attend the driving instruction at a driving school, in vocational training or under a driving instruction permit .
To participate in bus and coach driving instruction, you must have at least a category B driving licence.
You may only take driving instruction for vehicle combinations i.e. category D1E or DE vehicles, when you have been issued with a right to drive the towing vehicle.
Driving examination
You must take a driving examination after completing the driving instruction . You must have a valid driving licence permit to take a driving examination. The driving examination for category D1 and D vehicles consists of a theory test and a practical driving test on the road. The driving examination for category D1E and DE vehicles also contains an additional handling test, which must be completed before your driving test.
Driving licence posted to your home address
When you pass your driving examination, you will be given a certificate entitling you to drive on mainland Finland for six months. This will serve as your driving licence when you present it with a photo ID. Keep the document with you until you receive your official driving licence.
The actual driving licence will be posted to your home address within a week of the examination.
Professional competence
All bus and coach drivers working in commercial transport must have the professional competence of a bus and coach driver.