Driving licence no more valid as identity proof

A driving licence will no longer be a valid proof of identity when issuing a strong electronic identification device from January 1, 2019.

This change is linked to an amendment to the Act on Strong Electronic Identification and Electronic Signatures (617/2009), said a press release issued by the National Police Board.

From the beginning of next year, it will no longer be possible to verify anyone’s identity using a driving licence to collect new passport or identity card.

It has been possible to date with separate permission from the police to use a valid plastic driving licence to verify identity when collecting a passport or identity card. New identity documents could be collected only with a passport or an identity card.

However, the police can separately permit the use of a recently expired passport or identity card to collect new identity documents.

If needed, anyone can authorise another person to collect the identity document with an itemised power of attorney.

The person collecting identity documents based on power of attorney must be able to prove his or her identity with a valid passport or identity card issued by the Finnish authorities.