Do you have to return your old driving licence to Traficom in Finland?
What to do with the old card after renewal.
Short answer
Traficom says expired driving licences no longer need to be returned and can be destroyed following the instructions provided. The change came with the Driving Licence Act reform on 29 May 2026. Moottori reports that the new card comes with instructions for invalidating and destroying the old one, that the old card stops being valid when the new one arrives, and that about 170,000 old licences were returned to Traficom in the previous year. You can still send the old card to Traficom's service provider for destruction if you prefer.
Why
- No return needed since 29 May 2026.
- Destroy it yourself.
- The old card stops being valid.
Details
Traficom stresses destroying the card so that the personal data on it does not end up in the wrong hands.
Tip
Cut the old card through the photo and the chip area before throwing it away.
What may differ
Follow the exact destruction instructions sent with your new card.
Common misconception
Keeping the old card lets you use it abroad.
What actually happens
The old card stops being valid when the new one is issued.
People also ask
- Is there a mobile driving licence in Finland?
- How long does it take to exchange a driving licence in Finland?
- Can you drive in Finland with a foreign licence?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Driving licence rules changed in 2026 and more changes are coming, so check Traficom before you act.
Transport, roads, car rentalRelated questions
-
Do foreign cars need a country sticker in Finland?
The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland says a nationality sign is required on foreign cars in Finland, unless the vehicle is registered in a country that is party to the Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention and carries EU number plates with the country code.
-
What colour are motorway and main road signs in Finland?
The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto) says main roads in Finland have blue direction signs with white text, while motorways have green signs with white text.
-
Does E10 petrol increase fuel consumption?
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland tested six used E10-compatible cars from model years 1999–2010 in laboratory conditions in 2011.
-
Which petrol should you use in Finland, 95E10 or 98E5?
Finnish pumps sell two main petrol grades: 95E10, with an octane rating of at least 95 and up to 10% ethanol, and 98E5, with at least 98 octane and up to 5% ethanol.