From 1 November 2026, you can't just walk into the Finnish taxi driver exam anymore — you must first complete 21 hours of mandatory training. This is one of the biggest changes in the 2026 taxi reform, and it catches many applicants by surprise. Here's what the requirement means, who it applies to, and how to plan around it.
What changed and when
The reform (HE 15/2026 vp, confirmed by Parliament in EV 81/2026 vp) introduced a mandatory 21-hour training course for new taxi driver permit applicants:
- From 1 November 2026: 21 hours of training is a precondition for the taxi driver exam. No training certificate, no exam seat.
- Transition period 1 September – 31 October 2026: you could still take the new 60-question exam without the training — but an exam passed in this window is valid only until 31 October 2026. After that, you'd need the training anyway.
In other words: if you haven't passed the exam by the end of October 2026, plan for the training as part of your timeline and budget.
What does the 21-hour training cover?
The training is designed around the same subject areas as the exam itself (Traficom regulation TRAFICOM/697114/03.04.03.00/2025):
- Assisting passengers and safety — practical passenger assistance, first-response basics
- Special passenger groups — elderly, disabled, and child passengers; subsidized transport services
- Customer service situations — handling difficult situations professionally
- Transport and traffic safety — professional driving standards, rest-time rules, vehicle safety
- Driver's rights and obligations — the legal framework of taxi work
Expect a mix of theory and practical instruction. The exact curriculum and approved training providers are set by Traficom — check Traficom's website for the current list of approved course organizers before booking anything.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
Training providers set their own prices, so costs vary by city and organizer — compare a few providers before committing. The 21 hours are typically spread over several days or evenings, which suits people who are working alongside their application.
Budget tip: factor the training into your total license budget early. Between the training, the exam fee, the permit application, a medical certificate, and passport photos, the full process costs noticeably more than the exam fee alone. Ask providers whether their price includes study materials and any practice tests.
How to prepare alongside the training
The training teaches you the material; it doesn't drill you for the exam format. The exam is 60 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes — roughly 45 seconds per question — and speed matters as much as knowledge. The most effective combination is:
- Complete the 21-hour training to learn the subject matter properly
- Drill with mock exams in the real format to build speed and exam technique
- Study your weak sections — most candidates have one or two sections (often customer-service scenarios or safety figures) dragging their score down
Read our breakdown of the exam's 5 sections to see where to focus.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 21-hour taxi training mandatory in Finland? Yes, from 1 November 2026 it is a precondition for taking the taxi driver exam.
I passed the exam in September or October 2026 without training. Is my result still valid? Only until 31 October 2026. After that date you'll need to complete the training and the exam process again under the new rules.
Can I take the training in English? This depends on the provider. Ask the training organizer directly about the language of instruction before booking — and remember the official exam itself is in Finnish.
Does the training replace the exam? No. The training is a precondition; you still must pass the 60-question Traficom exam to get your driver permit (ajolupa).
Combining the mandatory training with exam practice? Start a free TaxiReitti mock exam — 60 questions, 5 sections, 45 minutes, with every question explained in simple English.