Passenger car course instruction process

1. Sign up for our passenger car course

Sign up for a passenger car course.

You will receive instructions and credentials for the learning environment in your e-mail the next day at the latest. After this, we will call you to go through the basic guidelines and agree how to schedule the driving lessons.

Right after registration, it is advisable to install the CAP app on your phone. The CAP app will guide you through the course, and you can use it to book driving lessons.

2. Apply for a driving licence permit

To obtain a driving licence, you need to get a permit, issued by Traficom. The driver’s license application is made at Ajovarma, a service provider of Traficom.

If you don’t have a previous driving licence, you will need to submit two passport photos as an attachment to the license application – in most cases, no other attachments are needed! If you have a previous driving licence, a handwritten signature is sufficient for the driving licence application. However, this is a good time to change the updated photo of yourself on the driving licence.

Talk to your doctor about the need for a medical certificate if you have or have had any of diseases, injuries or symptoms that affect your driving health.

It’s convenient to apply for a driver’s license electronically in Traficom’s service, which can be done under certain conditions. Check the terms and go to Traficom’s electronic service.

You should apply for a permit right at the beginning of the course. Driving lessons can begin even before applying for a driver’s license permit, but you need the permit to book a theory test.

The permit can be granted to a 16-year-old at the earliest and is valid for three years.

3. Start with theory lessons

Driving school always starts with theory lessons. Online lessons are spoken in Finnish and subtitled in English.

All theory classes are conducted remotely, as online training. Log in to the learning environment with credentials that we always send no later than the day after registration. In the learning environment, you also practice for the theory test.

We will book simulator lessons after your registration. You will receive a text message confirmation with the lesson pin code. With the PIN code, you can unlock the remotely monitored simulator space and start the simulator. Lessons progress by following the instructions given by the simulator. If necessary, you can get help remotely from the simulator control crew and during open hours also from the on-site staff. We will book these after your registration. You will receive a text message confirmation with the lesson pin code. With the PIN code, you can unlock the remotely monitored simulator space and start the simulator. Lessons progress by following the instructions given by the simulator. If necessary, you can get help remotely from the simulator control crew and during open hours also from the on-site staff.

The theory lessons consist of two sets:

1. EAS* training: 4 lessons (this is obligatory when getting your first driving license, and we recommend you brush up your memories even if this isn’t the case) *Ensimmäisen Ajokortin Suorittajan koulutus, the training for candidates for first driving licences
2. 4 risk training theory lessons

Please also remember the free support lesson we offer for the theory test. You can find more information on this in your CAP Driving School mobile app or on the learning platform homepage.

4. Take the theory test

You can take the theory test at the nearest examiner’s office (Ajovarma).

A driving licence permit must be applied for and the four-hour EAS training included in the theory lessons must be completed before taking the theory test.

Communicate with the driving instructor or the driving school staff to agree on who will book the theory test. If you book the test yourself through Ajovarma’s booking service, inform the driving school. This way we know to book the handling test and any remaining driving lessons immediately after the approved theory test.

You can take the theory test one month before you turn 18, at the earliest. If you have an age exception permit, you may enter the exam on your 17th birthday. Read more about the age exception.

We also recommend that you complete the 4 theory lessons and 2 driving lessons of the risk identification training before the theory test.

You must bring a photo ID to the theory exam and be prepared to pay the theory exam fee.

5. Taking your driving lessons

You can start driving instruction after you have completed the 4-hour safety training. In addition, we recommend that you successfully complete the first level of the theoretical studies in your digital learning environment.

We will contact you before starting the driving lessons. Driving instruction is always fitted to the package you have selected and tailored to serve you best during the first driving lesson. Our professional instructors take care of you!

Driving lessons can also be self-booked in the learning environment or the mobile app.

6. Pass the driving test and congratulate yourself on your new driving licence

Like the theory test, the driving test takes place at the nearest examiner’s office (Ajovarma).

You can participate in the driving test when you have passed the theory exam and completed the driving lessons according to your course, and you have reached the age of 18.

The driving examination ensures that the driving licence holder is able to identify danger factors, assess risks as well as their own activities and their effects on traffic safety.

Please note that the driving examination takes place in traffic and you are the responsible driver. You should only take the driving test when you really feel that you are ready for it. Learning traffic skills is individual and the feedback you get from your instructor is a valuable indicator of whether you need more practice before taking the driving test.

When going to the examination, you need:

• Valid identification
• E100 form (certificate of instruction received) and risk training certificate from a driving school. The certificates for a course student are taken care of by the instructor on departure for the driving examination. If you handle the certificate by yourself, you need to print the relevant certificate yourself.
• Make sure that you have paid for the handling test via the payment link you received at the time of booking. If the payment has been made well in advance, you do not need a payment receipt with you.

After a passed examination, you will receive a temporary driving license. The final driving licence will arrive later in the mail.

Now you are ready to continue learning independently, driving safer every day. You can still contact the driving school if you feel that you need more lessons, for example after a long pause or if you want additional confidence in some aspect of driving.