To obtain a driving licence for a lorry, you need to have both theoretical and driving instruction.
Where to get instruction?
You can get the training required for the bus driver's driving examination at
- a driving school
- a vocational education and training institute
- with a driving instruction permit.
Amount of instruction in categories D1, D, D1E and DE
| The sought right to drive | Category D1 | Category D | Category D1E | Category DE | ||||
| Form of instruction | Theory | Driving | Theory | Driving | Theory | Driving | Theory | Driving |
| Valid right to drive category B | 15 | 15 | 27 | 40 | - | - | - | - |
| Valid right to drive category C1 or C | 9 | 10 | 15 | 30 | - | - | - | - |
| Valid right to drive category D1 | - | - | 6 | 15 | 8 | 10 | - | - |
| Valid right to drive category D | - | - | - | - | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Supplementary amount of instruction (professional competence) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
You can take the driving examination based on supplementary instruction on the following terms:
- You have reached your professional competence and you have a professional competence card or a special condition for a professional qualification that has been issued at least one year before you take a driving examination. You have not during the previous year completed any other driving examination for a lorry or for a bus with a supplementary training.
- Your right to drive a bus has started before 10 September 2008 and you have a valid professional competence and you have not completed any other driving examination for a lorry or for a bus during the previous year with a supplementary training.
Required skills
The driving instruction for a driving licence for a bus must include instruction based on the special features of the vehicle to ensure that the driver is in command of
- the correct use, handling and transportation of the bus in compliance with traffic rules,
- taking different traffic situations and environments into account and
- following a safe, economic, ecological and flexible driving style.
The training must also include
- first-aid training required for acting in an accident site and
- identification and avoidance of traffic incidents (instruction of anticipatory driving).
The driving instruction must include category-specific theoretical and driving lessons.
The instruction must follow a curriculum authorised by the Finnish Transport and Communication Agency (previously Finnish Transport Safety Agency).