Transfer to Finnish Driving License . New Case

[sparkle_mini]

Hello everyone,
First I am sorry to repeat this topic of Drving license (DL) in Finland, but there is a new case of mine.
I am a student has lived in Finland for more than 2 years (from 2/2012). 23/1/2014 I came back to my home country to take the DL tests and then I got a National DL.
I came back Finland 13/3 and today 14/5 I went to police to ask for exchanging my home DL to Finnish DL. The police refuse to let me exchanged the DL and ask me to take the DL tests due to the reason that I HAVE TO HAD THE DL before i came to Finland for the first time/ For my case, I live permantly in Finland for nearly 2 years and came back home to get the DL, so it breaks the rules or something i don't know yet...

that's is the point "I have the DL during the time I came back to my home country and before that, I already lives in Finland nearly 2 years
(I got the permanent address in Finland from 9/2013.)

I am now quite understand what she said because due to the information written in the police website:
"A person living permanently in Finland may exchange a driving licence issued in a state that is party to the Geneva or Vienna Conventions on Road Traffic for a category A1, A2, A or B driving licence upon application without taking another driving test."

Honestly, i don't want to take the tests for it costs not small amount of money.
I am thinking of going back again and discuss this case more with the police, however, if anyone has experienced this kind of situation, please help me clarify so far.

Thank you

[Pursuivant]

Yes, well, if it was possible, you think any driving schools in the south would be in business? The main difference is where you are resident when you get that license. So, as you were a resident in Finland, then you can't go abroad to get a license and get it "exchanged". If you left the country for a year, and then came back, the situation would be different.

[sparkle_mini]

Ok, well, I am very appreciate those reply.
I am gonna take the tests again. There is no another choice

[Liam1]

Hi
Maybe the rules catch innocent people, but they are for a reason. There are many countries where driving tests have either very low standards or the standards become low after some money has exchanged hands. The idea of living somewhere and then actually travelling to a different place to take a driving test does beg questions as the cost of a trip exceeds that of the test here. It does make one believe that something is not up to Finnish standards, although I accept that doing a DT in one's mother tongue may help. Also on a practical note, Finnish driving conditions are quite unique, so a test that accounts for these is sensible.

One point do you need to change your license to drive here? Have you checked whether it is necessary to be allowed to drive? I don't think EU licenses need to be exchanged and seem to have seen threads that show that non EU are valid for shorter periods (so if you are not staying here permanently or from the EU is all this necessary for you?)

[sparkle_mini]

yes, at first the police told me that u can freely drive here:) and you just need 2 witnesses sign the paper showing you has driven in Fin for 6 months, you will get a exchange DL with only 6 euro charge. I was then so excited ). then honesly I tell them that i have just come back home country ( non EU ) and got the DL. it leads to that point.
They told me to take the tests if I really want to drive.
I just didnt try to avoid taking the tests in Fin. I went back home to see my family and I thought having the DL there would be convenient because when I travel back my home, I also can drive. And if I can live permanently in Fin, I also can drive . I mean having 2 DL at once would be convenient.

[betelgeuse]

I just didnt try to avoid taking the tests in Fin. I went back home to see my family and I thought having the DL there would be convenient because when I travel back my home, I also can drive. And if I can live permanently in Fin, I also can drive . I mean having 2 DL at once would be convenient.

When you live permanently in Finland most likely your native country accepts the Finnish DL. It must be part of the convention countries for the exchange to be possible. What's the use of having two driving licenses then?

[sparkle_mini]

I just didnt try to avoid taking the tests in Fin. I went back home to see my family and I thought having the DL there would be convenient because when I travel back my home, I also can drive. And if I can live permanently in Fin, I also can drive . I mean having 2 DL at once would be convenient.

When you live permanently in Finland most likely your native country accepts the Finnish DL. It must be part of the convention countries for the exchange to be possible. What's the use of having two driving licenses then?

No, my country will not accept it and and u will have to take the tests again in my country, because my home traffic is too dangerous to drive for foreigners . It almost doesnt have lane for u to drive. all Vehicles share the same street.
anw, thanks all for clear answers.

[foca]

The rules are clear and they are there for a reason. If they let Finnish residents go to another country and get driving licenses while officially living in Finland no one really would take a driving test in Finland. For example in Estonia it costs a fraction of the Finnish price to get a license. In many other countries one does not have to take a winter test , and usually it takes much faster to get a permanent licenses (there are no provisional or study licenses).
In some countries (Sweden for one) you cannot just exchange a license you have to take an exam (though if you have an EU license you do not have to go through the school).