Help with Finnish Driving licence!

amozgov · Post by **amozgov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:58 am

Hi all,

Got in some trouble. Since I am very stupid, I delayed a change of my licence to a Finnish one. Ok, fine I can deal with it, but here is the problem. I have never driven a car with a manual transmission!!! So, my question, is there any way to do the examination with automatic transmission? If yes, where? If no, than I am #%#¤&#!

Thanks in advance

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Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:41 am

Do you want to get invalid permit?

amozgov · Post by **amozgov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:49 am

Well, I guess if the cops stop me and I show them the fake one, they will realize it and than I wil lhave to say Good bye Suomi! Right?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:34 pm

Just a bad joke, "automatic" was an "invalid endorsement" in the old Finnish licence

amozgov · Post by **amozgov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:46 pm

Hank W. wrote:Just a bad joke, "automatic" was an "invalid endorsement" in the old Finnish licence

But is it still possible to get one though? I mean a licence where it states I candrive only automatic transmission?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:49 pm

Probably, but finding a car school with an automagic... hmmm... cheaper to pay a new clutch for someone

RA · Post by RA » Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:56 pm

You can do the test with automatic car, they'll just put 'automatic' on your licence and it also means you cannot legally drive a car other than an automatic. Some driving schools offer driving lessons with automatics and you could probably hire one of their cars for test unless you have your own automatic car with all the accessories for teaching. I don't know where you are, so it's difficult to say which schools you could turn to. If in the capital area, hubby said that he recalls Lassen autokoulu had an automatic, also autokoulu Treeni. But driving schools also change their cars a lot, so can't say for sure. Your best bet is to contact any driving school and they'll help you on the hunt.

amozgov · Post by **amozgov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:05 pm

RA wrote:You can do the test with automatic car, they'll just put 'automatic' on your licence and it also means you cannot legally drive a car other than an automatic. Some driving schools offer driving lessons with automatics and you could probably hire one of their cars for test unless you have your own automatic car with all the accessories for teaching. I don't know where you are, so it's difficult to say which schools you could turn to. If in the capital area, hubby said that he recalls Lassen autokoulu had an automatic, also autokoulu Treeni. But driving schools also change their cars a lot, so can't say for sure. Your best bet is to contact any driving school and they'll help you on the hunt.

Thanks for advice. I am in Helsinki area. I already contacted Treeni and they mumbled smth in English, so I got to call them back on Friday. I will check you Lassen autokoulu. I dont think I will ever need a licence for manual cars, simply because I dont know how to drive one.

RA · Post by RA » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:16 pm

I suggest you call one of the instructors direct rather than the office

See also Laajasalon ajo-opetuskeskus and Malmin autokoulu. They both automatics. Good luck.

EP · Post by EP » Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:32 pm

It takes only couple of hours to learn how to drive a manual one.

amozgov · Post by **amozgov** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:00 pm

Thanks for all your posts. I found the school, but apparently now I have to pass the theory test as well, eventhough i was driving for the last 6 years! Is it a standard procedure here?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 2:03 pm

Well thats why we tell people to exchange within the 18 months

EP · Post by EP » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:09 pm

Back in the olden days driving licenses had to be renewed for some reason, I don´t remember why. My father had been driving 30+ years, and he didn´t pass the theory part. A true blow to the world´s best driver´s self esteem.

RA · Post by RA » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:47 pm

You should have seen the FIL when it was subtley suggested that he has to give up his truck driver's licence, since his eyesight wasn't getting any better. Deny him continuation, nooooo. Over a period of two months he practiced the letters on the board, you know the one they use to test what letters you can make out, over a particular distance? Till he learnt them off head and he got the licence continued. And it isn't like he even needs the licence since he doesn't drive the truck or teach anymore. Just the principal, he has to have the licence, after all he is /was a driving instructor.

adamo · Post by **adamo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:53 pm

Hey guys,

Could we please go to the stating point.
How and where you change the driving licence?
I have been driving here with my Belgium licence for almost 6 months. Am I obliged to change it?
kiitos

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