Finland’s strict new curfew on teen drivers

Finland is bringing in new rules that will stop 17-year-old drivers from being on the road between midnight and 5am, as part of a package of changes aimed at improving road safety for young motorists.

The government proposed on May 13 2026 that the amendments to the Driving Licence Act be adopted, with the law due to come into force on May 29 2026. Teenagers who break the night-time rule face a fine and a driving ban.

Tighter conditions for under-18 driving permits

The reforms also make it harder for 17-year-olds to qualify for the age exemption permits that allow them to hold a licence before turning 18. Applicants will need to show a genuine travel need of at least four trips per week for work, studies, or hobbies, covering a minimum of seven kilometres where no public transport is available. Supporting documentation such as a letter from a school, an employment contract, or proof from a sports club will be required.

From October 2026, underage drivers must display a special sign on their vehicle, with a €100 penalty for those who fail to do so. Drivers who fail to carry their exemption permit while behind the wheel face a separate €40 fee.

The changes follow a steady increase in the number of teens driving since Finland lowered the driving age in 2018. By 2024, one in four 17-year-olds held an exemption permit. Traficom data shows that in 2023–2025, 4.1 car drivers aged 17 to 19 died in traffic per 100,000 licences, compared to around 1.6 among drivers aged 45 to 74.

Additional new changes

The new law also brings changes to driver training. All new licence holders will need to complete extra lessons, three more theory classes and one additional driving session.

The move has been welcomed by Finland’s Road Safety Council, whose CEO Pasi Anteroinen said the night ban targets the hours when younger drivers are most likely to have accidents, without getting in the way of their daily lives.

Transport Minister Lulu Ranne said the goal is simply to make sure young people can get where they need to go, safely.