diff --git a/drivers/can/can_mcan.c b/drivers/can/can_mcan.c
index cd75bc59f92..8f32525da40 100644
--- a/drivers/can/can_mcan.c
+++ b/drivers/can/can_mcan.c
@@ -1086,3 +1086,15 @@ int can_mcan_get_max_bitrate(const struct device *dev, uint32_t *max_bitrate)
 
 	return 0;
 }
+
+/* helper function allowing mcan drivers without access to private mcan
+ * definitions to set CCCR_CCE, which might be needed to disable write
+ * protection for some registers.
+ */
+void can_mcan_enable_configuration_change(const struct device *dev)
+{
+	const struct can_mcan_config *cfg = dev->config;
+	struct can_mcan_reg *can = cfg->can;
+
+	can->cccr |= CAN_MCAN_CCCR_CCE;
+}
diff --git a/drivers/can/can_mcan.h b/drivers/can/can_mcan.h
index 3d28ffcae0c..ccf94e903bb 100644
--- a/drivers/can/can_mcan.h
+++ b/drivers/can/can_mcan.h
@@ -296,4 +296,6 @@ void can_mcan_set_state_change_callback(const struct device *dev,
 
 int can_mcan_get_max_bitrate(const struct device *dev, uint32_t *max_bitrate);
 
+void can_mcan_enable_configuration_change(const struct device *dev);
+
 #endif /* ZEPHYR_DRIVERS_CAN_MCAN_H_ */
diff --git a/drivers/can/can_stm32fd.c b/drivers/can/can_stm32fd.c
index ab4199d6b3e..14928f1775c 100644
--- a/drivers/can/can_stm32fd.c
+++ b/drivers/can/can_stm32fd.c
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ static int can_stm32fd_clock_enable(const struct device *dev)
 		return ret;
 	}
 
+	can_mcan_enable_configuration_change(dev);
 	FDCAN_CONFIG->CKDIV = CAN_STM32FD_CLOCK_DIVISOR >> 1;
 
 	return 0;