The 2026 taxi exam reform didn't just add 10 questions — it added a whole new way of thinking. The fifth exam section, Kuljettajan oikeudet ja velvollisuudet (the driver's rights and obligations), tests whether you understand the legal framework of your own work. For many candidates it's the difference between passing and failing, because no older study material covers it.
Why this section exists
Under the reformed law (HE 15/2026 vp), the taxi driver is treated explicitly as a professional with both duties and protections. The exam now checks that you know:
- What the law requires of you toward passengers, the permit holder, and the authorities
- What rights protect you when a situation turns difficult
- How fare and pricing rules work from the driver's side
- The basics of professional working-time and rest rules
Ten of the exam's 60 questions come from this section — that's one in six. You can't afford to wing it.
Your core duties as a taxi driver
1. Fare transparency
Before the ride begins (or when the booking is confirmed), the passenger must be told the total price including taxes — or, if an exact price can't be given in advance, the basis on which the price is determined. In practice this means: state the price, or make sure the pricing is clearly displayed and explained. If a fare dispute arises afterwards, it's the service provider who must prove the price was communicated.
2. Professional conduct
You're expected to behave professionally at all times: drive safely, treat every passenger with respect, and protect passenger privacy. What happens in your taxi stays in your taxi — confidentiality is part of the job.
3. Vehicle and equipment duties
The taxi must be roadworthy and properly equipped. If something safety-critical isn't working, the car doesn't go out. As the driver, you're the last line of defence — checking the vehicle is part of your duty, not just the owner's.
4. Working-time rules
Professional drivers are covered by driving-time and rest rules that limit how long you may work. The exam tests the key limits and the principle behind them: tired drivers are dangerous drivers. Know the framework; the exact figures are classic flashcard material.
Your rights as a taxi driver
The section isn't only about obligations — it also covers your protections:
- Refusing a ride: there are situations where you may — and sometimes must — refuse, for example if completing the ride would break working-time law or if the passenger's behavior makes the ride unsafe. The exam loves scenario questions here ("the passenger demands you keep driving past your legal limit — what do you do?").
- Ending a ride safely: if a situation becomes unsafe, you have the right to stop the ride — but you must do it in a way that doesn't endanger the passenger.
- Getting paid: the flip side of fare transparency is that an agreed, communicated fare is owed. Know the correct procedure when a passenger refuses to pay (hint: it doesn't involve physical confrontation).
How this section connects to the other four
The rights-and-duties section is the legal backbone behind the practical sections. A customer-service scenario (Section 3) about a fare dispute is really testing whether you know your transparency duties. A safety question (Section 4) about refusing to drive an unroadworthy car is testing your professional obligations. Study this section together with the others, not in isolation.
How to study for it
- Learn the principles, not just the rules. Most questions are scenarios: the correct answer is the one where the driver acts lawfully, professionally, and safely.
- Watch for extremes. Answers involving aggression, ignoring the law, or abandoning a passenger are always wrong.
- Use current material. Anything written before September 2026 predates this section entirely. TaxiReitti's question bank is built for the 2026 five-section exam, with every question explained in simple English.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 5th section of the Finnish taxi exam? Kuljettajan oikeudet ja velvollisuudet — the driver's rights and obligations. It's new in the 2026 reform and contributes 10 of the 60 exam questions.
Can a taxi driver refuse a passenger in Finland? In specific situations, yes — for example when completing the ride would violate working-time law or when safety requires it. The exam tests exactly where that line is.
Do old taxi exam study books cover this section? No. The section was introduced with the September 2026 reform, so only study material updated for the new exam covers it.
Master the new 5th section with TaxiReitti's 2026 mock exams — 60 questions across all five sections, 45 minutes, with plain-English explanations for every answer.