Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to examine Finnish novice drivers’ competences to drive at the beginning of their driver career. In Finland, as in other countries, novice drivers are over-represented in the road accident statistics. Earlier findings indicate that realistic awareness of their own competences could be helpful for the novice drivers to overcome the risky period in traffic that follows immediately after they gain their licence. The study consists of three published manuscripts, one manuscript that was submitted for publication and a summary. The study is also a thesis for author’s doctoral dissertation. (Author/publisher)