Test plate certificates

• Using test plates
• Applying for a test plate certificate
• Renewing a test plate certificate
• Cancelling a test plate certificate

On application, Trafi can grant a company a test plate certificate that entitles it to drive its vehicle with test plates. The test plate certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue. If needed, several test plate certificates can be granted to one company.

Using test plates

Test plates can be used to drive unregistered, decommissioned vehicles or vehicles banned from traffic due to non-inspection or non-roadworthiness (when transferred for repair or inspection). Registration plates of the decommissioned vehicle must be removed or covered when the test plates are used.

Test plates can only be used if the vehicle tax has been paid. The original, valid test plate certificate must be kept with the vehicle at all times while driving.

Vehicles equipped with test plates can only be used in traffic when being driven as part of one of the following certificate recipient’s operations:

• test related to the study or development of the vehicle or its equipment
• test drive or sales presentation
• other transfer directly related to the manufacture, sale, equipment, repair or inspection of the vehicle.

Test plates can be used by the holder of the test plate certificate or his/her representative (employee etc.) A private individual can use test plates without the presence of their holder if the vehicle is being test driven with the intention of buying it, the vehicle tax has been paid and the driver carries the original test plate certificate and a temporary usage licence issued by the car dealer (valid for 24 hours).

Test plates cannot be loaned to another company or to private individuals.

NOTE! If the vehicle tax of a vehicle that has not yet been first-time registered is outstanding, the vehicle can be used with test plates in the presence of the holder of the test plate certificate or the holder’s representative, if:

• the transfer of the vehicle is immediately related to testing the certificate holder's vehicle or its equipment for R&D purposes
• the vehicle is being test driven to ensure its technical performance
• the vehicle is being used for a short demonstration with the intention of selling it to someone living permanently outside of Finland
  Note! For those living permanently in Finland, driving vehicles with test plates before the tax has been paid is not allowed.
• the vehicle is being used for other transfer immediately pertaining to its manufacture, export, repair or inspection, or if it is being equipped for the purpose of being sold.

For more information on the Vehicle Taxation Act, please contact Finnish Customs.

Trafi can revoke an individual test plate certificate if it is used in an unlawful manner or has not been redeemed. Similarly, Trafi can revoke all of a holder’s test plate certificates if the test plates have been repeatedly misused or the misuse of a test plate has otherwise been deemed particularly serious.

Misuse of the test plates is reported to Trafi’s Transport Taxation Unit which assesses whether the misuse pertains to using a vehicle that has been banned from traffic. Misuse of test plates could lead to an additional tax of 1000 euros or more.

Applying for a test plate certificate

A test plate certificate is applied for with licence application form B301. The original application form is submitted to Trafi’s Special registration  (address on the form) together with applicant's extract from the Trade Register. In addition, the company must take out test plate insurance which must be included in the insurance database (VATI). If the extract from the Trade Register does not list the person signing the application as a signatory of the company, a power of attorney must also be enclosed. The test plates are delivered to the customer by post (COD).

Renewing a test plate certificate

Test plate certificates are renewed annually without reapplication if the holder of the certificate does not submit a cancellation notification by the end of the validity period, unless the certificate is revoked, or Trafi, for some special reason, decides not to renew it. Renewal is permitted only if all payments related to the test plate insurance and test plate certificate have been made.

Cancelling a test plate certificate

If the customer does not want to renew the test plate certificate, cancellation notification must be submitted to an inspection station no later than the second working day after the end of the validity period. The notification is submitted with the old test plate certificate. Test plates and the unpaid, renewed test plate certificate for the following year are returned together with the notification.