Driving in Afghanistan vs. Estonia: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasting driving landscapes of Afghanistan and Estonia. While Afghanistan lacks certain road markings and vehicle regulations, Estonia embraces advanced traffic management, including bus and cycle lanes, variable speed limits, and stricter enforcement of safety measures. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
estonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
estonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
estonia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
estonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
estonia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Estonia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
afghanistan:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties