Driving in Croatia vs. Estonia: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roads of Croatia and Estonia reveals fascinating contrasts in their traffic regulations and driving culture. From speed limits to alcohol tolerance, each country presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Dive in to discover what sets these two nations apart on the highway.
Lanes
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
estonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Estonia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
croatia:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
estonia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
Documentation
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties