Estonia

Key points for young drivers:

• Outside built-up areas 90 km/h, in summer 110 km/h on some dual carriageways.
• Alcohol: 0.2 ‰ according to Estonia, but the Polish MFA writes about a total ban – don’t drink anything before driving.
• Lights on day and night, phone only with a hands-free kit.
• In the car: fire extinguisher, warning triangle, wheel chocks, high-visibility vest.
• Non-studded winter tyres must have the 3PMSF symbol, not just M+S.
• Someone else’s car? Take the owner’s authorisation in English.

Seat belts and child seats

The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts. A child up to 3 travels in a child seat – in the front seat only rear-facing. Children up to 12 may sit in the front or back only in a suitable child seat (according to the Polish MFA).

Traffic lights

A flashing green light means the light is about to turn amber. On amber you must stop, unless you are so close that stopping would require sudden braking.

Helmet not compulsory

Cyclists and riders of scooters, Segways or mini-mopeds aged 16 and over – helmet not compulsory.

Helmet compulsory

• motorcycle (also with a sidecar) and moped
• tricycle and quadricycle (without factory-fitted seat belts and seats in a cabin)
• bicycle, scooter, Segway, mini-moped – up to the age of 16 (bicycle helmet, fastened)

Compulsory equipment in the car

• fire extinguisher
• warning triangle
• wheel chocks
• high-visibility vest
• first-aid kit (according to Your Europe – in company cars)

Compulsory equipment on a bike

• bell
• working brakes
• white light at the front, red at the back
• yellow or white reflectors on the sides of at least one wheel
• helmet up to the age of 16

Winter tyres and snow chains

Winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March. Non-studded winter tyres must carry the mountain-and-snowflake symbol (3PMSF) – “M+S” alone is not enough.

Studded tyres are allowed in Estonia. In the transition periods (1 October – 30 November and 1 March – 30 April) you drive on summer or winter tyres, and from 1 May to 30 September – according to the Polish MFA – on summer tyres.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Phone only with a hands-free kit.
• Drugs: driving under the influence is banned (including THC, methamphetamine, MDMA).
• Public transport and taxi lanes: other cars may only enter them to turn or to pick up/drop off passengers (not across a solid line).

Note: according to Estonia’s information on Your Europe the limit is 0.2 ‰ in the blood, while the Polish MFA writes about a total ban on drink-driving. Don’t take the risk – don’t drink anything before driving. Check before you travel at Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Estonia (in Polish).

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

By car you drive around Estonia toll-free. The road charge (electronic, based on the length of stay) applies only to vehicles over 3.5 t – at teetasu.ee.

Documents and insurance

• a driving licence from an EU/EEA country is valid
• vehicle registration certificate and valid third-party motor insurance (the Polish MFA advises adding comprehensive and personal accident cover)
• no Green Card needed (EU)
• someone else’s car, a company car or a leased car – a confirmed authorisation from the owner, preferably in English

What to watch out for

• Speeding can mean a high fine and even losing your licence; fines from speed cameras are also sent abroad.
• Drink- and drug-driving are punished especially severely.
• After dark, pedestrians in poorly lit areas must wear reflectors – take care on roads outside towns.
• In summer some dual carriageways have a 110 km/h limit; in winter signs lower it to 90–100 km/h – watch the signs.

Sources

• Your Europe – Road rules: Estonia
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Estonia (in Polish)
• Transpordiamet – changes to winter tyre requirements
• Transpordiamet – winter speed limits
• Road charge in Estonia (vehicles over 3.5 t)
• Last updated: September 2026.