Driving test locations cut nearly in half, raising costs for rural families

Finnish driving and theory test locations will be reduced by almost 50 percent starting next year, increasing travel distances and expenses for families in remote areas, Yle reports.

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) will consolidate driver’s license examination services, leaving only two test centers—Vaasa and Seinäjoki—for the entire South Ostrobothnia and Ostrobothnia regions. Currently, tests are available in ten municipalities.

For the Lehtinen family in Kauhajoki, the change means additional costs and logistical challenges. Their eldest child plans to take the driving test under an age exemption in January 2027, but the nearest test center will now be an hour’s drive away in Seinäjoki.

“It feels harsh,” says Tiina Lehtinen, the mother of five. “We’re worried about how we’ll manage the travel and extra expenses.” She also notes that taking the test in an unfamiliar urban environment—with heavier traffic and more complex intersections—adds stress for young drivers from rural areas.

Autoschools and elderly drivers affected
Anni Lehtinen, a driving instructor and owner of Ruutulippu driving school in Kauhajoki, criticizes the decision as bureaucratic, forcing many small test centers to close. The change will require instructors to spend more time transporting students to Seinäjoki for practice and exams.

“This doesn’t just affect driving schools—it impacts young people, the elderly, their families, and everyone’s time,” she says.

Traficom’s department head, Henna Antila, acknowledges the inconvenience but emphasizes that driving tests must be conducted in sufficiently challenging traffic conditions, as required by EU directives. She adds that while the agency may explore decentralizing moped handling tests, car and theory exams will remain centralized.

Low first-time pass rates add to travel burden
With moped theory tests often requiring multiple attempts—fewer than 50 percent pass on the first try—families face repeated long trips. “It’s a huge distance to travel 100 kilometers each way just for a theory test,” says Timo Suominen, chair of the Finnish Driving School Association.

For the Lehtinens, the changes mean balancing work, school, and multiple trips to Seinäjoki if all five children pursue licenses. “I’m dreading how we’ll cover the costs and logistics,” Tiina Lehtinen admits.

Traficom recently tendered the contract for license services, with a new provider taking over in most regions next year.