Can a 15-year-old drive a light car in Finland?
No — light cars never reached Finnish roads. Parliament approved the kevytauto laws in 2018 (a passenger car limited to 60 km/h for 15-year-olds on an AM licence), but the European Commission found them contrary to the driving-licence directive. Entry into force was postponed and the laws were repealed for good in October 2020. At 15 the option is a microcar (AM121); at 17 a B licence by age exemption — with the 2026 licence reform adding restrictions for under-18 drivers, including a 00–05 night-driving ban.
📋 The rules
- The 2018 light-car laws would have allowed 60 km/h-limited cars for 15-year-olds — repealed in October 2020 before ever taking effect.
- Reason: the European Commission deemed the scheme contrary to the EU driving-licence directive and granted no exemption.
- Legal options at 15: moped (AM120) and microcar (AM121) — microcars are capped at 45 km/h.
- At 17 a B licence is possible by age exemption; the 2026 reform added under-18 restrictions such as the 00–05 night ban.
- A home-limited 'light car' without any legal basis is just an unregistered modified car — driving it is driving without a licence.
🔓 Exceptions
- Tractor-registered vehicles (T class) are their own legal category with their own age limits.
- Åland differs on some points from the mainland.
⚠️ Penalties
Driving a DIY 'light car' at 15 would be unlicensed driving of an unregistered vehicle — fines, postponed licence permits, and supplier liability for whoever handed over the car.
📎 Sources
- Finnish Government · Repeal of the light-car acts proposed →
- Yle · Light cars won't enter traffic — entry postponed →
- Helsingin Uutiset · No light cars on Finnish roads →
❓ Frequently asked questions
Why did light cars never launch?
The Commission found a 60 km/h car driven by a 15-year-old contrary to the licence directive. No exemption came, and the laws were repealed in October 2020.
What can a 15-year-old drive?
A moped (AM120) or microcar (AM121) — both capped at 45 km/h. A tractor licence (T) is also possible.
Can a 17-year-old drive a car?
Yes, on a B licence with an age exemption — but the 2026 reform brought under-18 conditions including a 00–05 night ban.
Could light cars come back?
The idea resurfaces politically, but the EU-law obstacle stands — no light-car act is in force.
🔎 What people search
Searches that lead to this question.
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