Training in Energy Efficient Driving

In Finland training in energy efficient driving techniques forms a compulsory part of courses taken by people seeking driving licences or professional qualifications for driving commercial vehicles. Voluntary courses are also available for all qualified drivers who wish to improve their driving skills.

Compulsory training for driving licence applicants

Training in energy efficient driving techniques is integrated into most of the compulsory driving courses that must be taken by all new drivers in Finland. Such training is included in the official syllabuses for driving courses defined by the Finnish Vehicle Administration (AKE), even though this is not absolutely required by Finnish legislation. During driving tests, energy efficient driving skills are considered in overall assessments of trainee drivers, but they cannot alone be a reason to fail licence applicants. Training in energy efficient driving is thus compulsory for learner drivers on courses offered by driving schools whose courses follow the AKE syllabus.

Training in efficient driving is first given towards the end of the first phase of driving lessons, after which learners may gain a provisional licence. Further training is then given during the second phase, before learners gain a full driving licence. Additional training for car drivers in energy efficient driving techniques is not obligatory, but highly recommendable.

Training in workplaces in Finland is organised at various levels for drivers with different needs, according to Motiva’s energy efficient driving course classification system:

• Basic courses for frequent drivers, driving more than 30,000 km/year (B level courses).
• Demonstration level courses for all users of company cars, organised when cars are allocated to drivers (C level courses).
• Brief presentations provided to all employees once a year, often in conjunction with other personnel training, to revise suitable driving techniques (D level courses).

Training in energy efficient driving techniques is provided by many driving schools around Finland, including driving school chains such as Ajotapakouluttajat, Avainkouluttaja, KF-Fin Oy, CAP-koulutus, EcoDriving Center and RingRoad.

Training for professional drivers

Trainee drivers of buses and other commercial vehicles routinely learn anticipatory driving skills in theory and through practical lessons. The length of such training varies considerably in line with the length of overall driver training. Anticipatory driving skills are taught in the basic energy efficient driving training given to all professional drivers.

The EU Driver Training Directive obliges all professional bus and lorry drivers to undergo 35 hours of training over every period of five years, including seven hours of training in anticipatory driving skills. The directive does not apply to van drivers or taxi drivers, however.