Category B Permit-Based Instruction
21.6 2016
Category B permit-based instruction
Syllabus and
lessonplans
1Instruction permit for category B driving licences
1.1Applying for an instruction permit
1.2 Theory test for instruction permit applicants
1.3 Instruction vehicles
2Instructions for instructors
2.1 Theory and driving instruction
2.2 Forms relating to instruction
3Contents of category B instruction at the learner stage
3.1 Principles of driving
3.2 Driving in traffic
3.3 Driving independently
3.4 Challenging road conditions
4Driver examination
4.1 Eligibility requirements for driver examinations
4.2 Theory test
5Independent driving practice
5.1 Practice stage
5.2 Advanced stage
6Contact details
Practice stage learning log
1Instruction permit for category B driving licences
This document describes permit-based instruction for category B driving licenses. The document also contains useful information for instruction permit holders.
1.1Applying for an instruction permit
Trafi can grant an instruction permit to any individual who is not deemed to be ineligible due to previous traffic violations or their character.
More information about the criteria for granting instruction permits, the relevant forms, booking appointments, and permit fees is available from service points that offer driver examinations.
The vehicle(s) to be used for instruction must undergo an alteration inspection. Prior to applying for an instruction permit, applicants must also pass a theory test at a service point that offers driver examinations. Applicants who hold a traffic instructor’s qualification do not need to take the theory test. Some service points allow the alteration inspection to be carried out and the theory test to be taken at the same time. The order in which applicants satisfy the alteration inspection requirement and the theory test requirement is irrelevant.
A categoryB instruction permit cannot be granted until the learner has turned 17. Instruction must not begin until the instructor has obtained an instruction permit.
Each applicant can be granted up to three instruction permits within a period of three years, provided that the instructor is not the learner’s parent, grandparent, guardian, child, grandchild, or sibling.
Category B instruction permits can specify two permit holders and two learners, if one or both of the instructors are one or both of the learners’ parent, grandparent, guardian, child, grandchild, or sibling. If an instruction permit is granted to two individuals, one of them must be designated as the primary instructor. The primary instructor is responsible for ensuring that instruction is given in an appropriate manner.
Learner instruction permits can be granted for a period of up to two years, and they only cover instruction at the learner stage. The instructor must have his/her instruction permit with him/her whenever instruction is being given.
Trafi cannot renew instruction permits without a good reason. If a learner fails to pass his/her driving test during the period of validity of the instruction permit and Trafi refuses to renew the permit, the learner can enrol in a driving school to complete his/her instruction.
The Police can cancel an individual’s instruction permit for a number of reasons. An instruction permit can also be cancelled temporarily, if there are grounds to impose a temporary driving ban on the instructor.
Documents needed for instruction permit applications:
- Completedinstruction permit applicationform
To be eligible for a category B instruction permit, the applicant must be at least 25 years old.
- Instructor’sdrivinglicence
Category B driving licence, which must have been valid for at least three years.
Learner’s driving licence permit application
The learner needs to have the driving licence permit granted before booking a time for a theory test.
The application needs to be accompanied by
- 2 passportphotographs
- Medical certificate (issued no more than six months previously) or a valid adolescent’s health certificate; no certificate is needed if the learner has a valid driving licence.
1.2 Theory test for instruction permit applicants
Theory tests for instruction permit applicants are available at service points that offer driver examinations. The test can be taken in Finnish, Swedish or English.
The questions in the test are chosen and periodically reviewed by Trafi. The questions are specially designed for these tests, and they are not available in the public domain. Some of the providers of learning resources listed below also provide courses to prepare for the test.
More information about theory tests is available from service points that offer driver examinations.
The following is a list of learning resources known to Trafi for preparing for theory tests. Each provider of learning resources is responsible for its own resources.
- (this document)
- (Tmi Karvatassu)
- (Liikennetaito LT driving school)
- (online theory test exercises)
- (Driving school textbook, Opetustarvike Oy)
-Bilskolanslärobok, Opetustarvike Oy
- (Finnish Road Safety Council)
-Road traffic handbook, Edita
- (traffic regulations)
- (traffic signs)
-StadinAjostaili Oy: Self-motivated driving skills learning in a social learning environment
- (theory test exercises for instructors and learners, tools for instructors and learners)
-Driving school of the Automobile and Touring Club of Finland – e-learning environment
- Startti – textbook for instruction permit holders
- (theory test exercises for instructors and learners, e-learning environment)
- (theory test exercises for instructors and learners)
-Ratti.fi (All services for instructionpermit)
1.3 Instruction vehicles
Instruction can be provided using any instruction vehicle that has passed an alteration inspection, and the instruction vehicle does not need to be specified in the instruction permit.
Category B instruction vehicles must be equipped with the following:
-A separate brake pedal for the instructor; the pedal must be positioned similarly to the brake pedal in a standard vehicle. The brake power must correspond to the brake power produced by the vehicle’s actual braking system operated from the driver’s side. This will be checked at an alteration inspection by means of a brake dynamometer and a test drive, if necessary.
-Seatbelts for the instructor and the learner
-A learner plate, which must be a white equilateral triangle, where each side is between 16 and 25 cm long; the plate must be placed in a visible location at the rear of the vehicle, on the outside. The plate must not cover the licence plate or lights.
-An external rear-view mirror for the instructor on the right-hand side of the vehicle
-We also recommend an internal rear-view mirror for the instructor.
Alteration inspectors can approve a vehicle for instruction use for a period of up to two years at a time. No alteration inspection is required when the instruction accessories are removed.
If the car used in the driving test has an automatic gearbox, a note of this must be entered in the driving license, and the license holder will only be permitted to drive vehicles that have an automatic gearbox.
2Instructions for instructors
2.1 Theory and driving instruction
Responsibility for the provision of theory and driving instruction in accordance with the syllabus rests with the instruction permit holder. Instruction permit holders can also purchase instruction services from a driving school.
Theory instruction
To be eligible for a category B driving license, learners must complete at least 19 hours of theory instruction.
Driving instruction
To be eligible for a category B driving licence, learners must complete at least 18 driving lessons at the learner stage. Instruction on driving in the dark is included in the minimum requirement for learner driving experience.
For lessons to count towards the minimum driving experience requirement. The length of one driving lesson is 50 minutes. Driving instruction must include at least four hours of driving outside of towns. This should take place towards the end of the instruction programme, when the learner will have learned the ability to make observations at speed. Driving instruction may be provided any day of the week, anywhere in Finland.
Passengers are allowed in the instruction vehicle during instruction.
In category B driving instruction, the instructor is regarded as the driver. The instructor must be seated next to the learner during driving instruction.
Prior to taking driving instruction to public roads, the learner must be familiar with the basic concepts of traffic and driving. The learner must also be sufficiently competent in manoeuvring a car before driving on public roads.
Category B instruction must include instruction on recognising risks relating to driving in the dark and in slippery conditions.
Instruction on driving in the dark can be provided from the beginning of October until the end of March. Instruction on driving in the dark must always have been completed before a learner takes his/her first category B driving test in December, January or February.
Instruction on driving in the dark can also be provided during other months, subject to permission from the driving test examiner. Permission cannot be given for instruction during May, June, July, or August. Instruction on driving in the dark must account for one hour of the theory instruction and for one hour of the driving instruction that count towards the minimum requirements. Driving instruction must include both demonstrations and practical exercises, and it should take place away from public roads, if possible. Instruction on driving in the dark can also be provided by means of a simulator approved for this purpose, any time of the year.
Instruction on driving in slippery conditions (during the learner stage) must account for one hour of theory instruction and for one hour of driving instruction. Driving instruction must include both demonstrations and practical exercises, and it must be provided on a purpose-built practice track.
Category B instruction can also be provided using the following kinds of combination vehicles:
- Category B truck and trailer with a total mass of no more than 750 kg (instruction provided using a combination vehicle can count towards the minimum requirement for learner driving experience), OR
- Category B truck and trailer with a total mass of more than 750 kg, provided that the total mass of the combination does not exceed 3500 kg (instruction provided using a combination vehicle can count towards the minimum requirement for learner driving experience).
Permit-based learner instruction can also include theory and driving instruction purchased from a driving school.
The instruction permit holder can choose which components of instruction to purchase from a driving school. However, the instruction permit holder must ensure that the learner receives the minimum amount of instruction required. Any certificates needed must always be signed by the instruction permit holder.
2.2 Forms relating to instruction
The progress of learner instruction must be tracked using an instruction log (instruction log for instruction permit holders, form No E504, or a driving schools’ instruction log). The components of instruction and the applicable principles are described in more detail below. A template for an instruction log for instruction permit holders can be found, for example, at
Once instruction has been completed, a note must be made of this in the certificate of completion of learner instruction and driver examination certificate (form NoE100). The form is available from service points that offer driver examinations or from
3Contents of category B instruction at the learner stage
The main objective of learner instruction is to promote the learner’s development into a responsible driver. The aim is for learners to become aware of their responsibility as drivers for the safety of other road users and for taking environmental standards and requirements into account, adapting their driving style accordingly. The goal is to give learners a realistic view of their own driving skills and motivation to develop as drivers.
The three most important elements of responsible driving are safety, consideration of other road users, and environmental friendliness.
1. Safety
•The learner understands the position, direction and speed of the vehicle.
•The learner is familiar with traffic regulations and is able to drive safely in normal traffic situations.
•The learner is able to recognise and avoid risks in traffic.
•The learner is able to control his/her own frame of mind and impulses.
A safe driver understands his/her responsibility not only for himself/herself and his/her vehicle but also for other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists. A safe driver is able to recognise risks, avoid them, or adapt his/her driving to the risks, for example by lowering his/her speed. The ability to control one’s frame of mind is especially important among young learner drivers.
2. Consideration of other road users
•The learner is able to act predictably and anticipate the actions of other road users.
•The learner is able to recognise social pressure and avoid the associated risks.
Consideration of other road users is a critical element of safe and smooth interaction. Taking other road users into consideration, being able to anticipate their actions, and acting in a predictable manner are the foundations of good interaction skills. It is important to understand the special characteristics of different road user groups.
3. Environmental friendliness
•The learner is able to optimise his/her fuel economy.
•The learner is able to recognise and anticipate the development of different kinds of traffic situations.
•The learner is able to plan routes and his/her own actions.
•The learner understands the basics of ecological driving.
The learner must understand the impact of his/her actions on minimising pollution as well as on his/her own fuel economy. An ecological and economical driving style is also safer and more considerate of other road users.
3.1 Principles of driving
Learner instruction begins by familiarising the learner with the instruction process, the traffic system and
environment, as well as the instruction vehicle. The aim is to make the learner understand the objectives of learner instruction. A secondary aim is to motivate the learner to study in an appropriate manner and to make the learner see
traffic as a system. The learner should come away with an understanding of how his/her own actions can improve road safety and reduce pollution. Driving instruction should begin slowly by familiarising the learner with the handling of the car. The aim is to make the
learner master the basics of car handling.
Self-motivated learning
Textbook
Theoretical instruction
4 lessons
Learner instruction
Goals
1. The learner understands the objectives of learner instruction, the structure of the process, the methods, and his/her own role as a self-motivated learner.
2. The learner understands that the process of learning to drive consists of multiple stages. Topics
• Stages of the process of learning to drive
• Goals, structure and contents of instruction; instruction in practice; methods; learner’s role
• Rights conferred by driving licences
Traffic system
Goals
1. The learner is familiar with the components of the traffic system and their relationships to each other.
2. The learner understands the significance of road transport to society and the individual, and especially his/her own responsibility as a driver for traffic safety and the environment.
Topics
• Traffic system and the role of road transport in the system
• Traffic accidents; causes of traffic accidents and avoiding them
• Environmental impacts of road transport
Traffic environment and traffic control
Goals
1. The learner is familiar with the components of the traffic environment and typical causes of danger.
2. The learner understands the basic concepts of traffic regulations and means of traffic control.
Topics
• Components of the traffic environment
• Traffic regulations; their significance and basic concepts
• Means of traffic control
Vehicle and handling
Goals
- The learner understands the importance of car handling as the first element of learning to drive.
2. The learner is familiar with the basic functions of a car and how to drive ecologically.
Topics
• Structure and functions of a car
• Car controls, active and passive safety
• Car handling; adjustments, regulating direction and speed
Driving instruction
The learner should be given enough time to practice, after which his/her ability to handle the car should be evaluated. The learner should ideally be allowed to practice away from public roads or in an area with as little traffic as possible.
Goals
1. The learner is able to handle the car away from public roads, after which the learner can begin to practice traffic situations in urban areas.
Topics
• Adjustments; starting and stopping
• Regulating the direction and speed of the car
• Understanding the dimensions of the car
Evaluation: Car handling
The evaluation should take place at the end of handling instruction away from public roads or in an area with as little traffic as possible.
Evaluation criteria and topics:
•Smooth transitions: without hesitation and without stalling
•Crawling forwards and backwards: without stalling, without jerking
•Hill start with and without a handbrake: without stalling
•Right-angle turn forwards to the right and to the left: safe driving line
•Reversing while turning either left or right: turning the steering wheel to the right direction
•Changing gears: safely, at the right time, without losing the ability to make observations, and maintaining the driving line