Thousands of driving tests canceled in Finland due to improperly secured teaching pedals

In Finland, thousands of driving tests are being canceled due to improperly secured teaching pedals situated on the vehicle floor. When the pedal is not properly attached, the driving test is immediately terminated before the candidate can drive even a meter. For instance, more than 600 driving tests were halted in July alone as the test administrators discovered the pedal was not correctly installed.

The teaching pedal, which serves as a secondary brake for the instructor, must be correctly affixed prior to the test. Esko Kemppi, regional manager for the testing company Ajovarma, emphasizes that the pedal should not be mounted for the inspection personnel or testers. It is intended for the instructor to intervene in situations where a student may not be fully attentive. The responsibility for safe driving lies with the instructor, who must maintain control of the vehicle during lessons.

Kemppi highlighted that the pedal should be securely fitted and should not move in any direction. In Lappeenranta last week, two driving tests could not commence because the teaching pedals were inadequately secured, with one instance involving the pedal being attached to an unstable wooden board.

Every car used for driving instruction must include this teaching pedal, but the installation poses challenges. Many prefer not to drill into their car’s floor, so a common solution is to create a mounting plate under the pedal, which must be firmly secured to the vehicle’s structure, such as the front seat frame.

With over 20,000 young people learning to drive each year in Finland under parental guidance, the ongoing issue of unsecured teaching pedals has left many unable to take their driving tests as scheduled, highlighting a significant hurdle in achieving road safety.