ajokortti

Ajokortti, literally “driving license” in Finnish, is the official document that authorizes a person to drive motor vehicles in Finland. It is issued by Traficom, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency, after the applicant meets age, health, and knowledge requirements. The licence is issued as a plastic smart card and also serves as photo identification.

The ajokortti is valid throughout Finland and, for residents of the European Union and the European Economic Area, is recognized across the EU/EEA. The card records the holder’s personal data, photograph, licence number, and the vehicle category or categories the holder is allowed to drive. Categories include AM (moped), A1, A2, A (motorcycles), B (car and light vehicles), and larger classes such as C, CE, D, DE, each with its own training and testing requirements.

To obtain the licence, applicants must meet age, residency, and medical requirements and complete the required training process. In practice, most applicants enroll in an approved driving school, study theory, pass a theory exam (teoriakoe), and pass a practical driving test (ajokoe) after sufficient supervised practice. Additional tests or checks may apply for certain categories.

The licence has a defined validity period and must be renewed before expiration; the duration depends on age and category. Renewal typically involves an updated photo and may include medical checks for older drivers. Renewal is processed by Traficom through its online services.

Costs vary by category and testing, and the overall process includes examination and administrative fees. The ajokortti is generally valid in EU/EEA states; for travel outside these regions, an International Driving Permit may be required depending on the destination.