Driving in Denmark vs. Estonia: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Denmark and Estonia, two countries with distinct driving customs. Key distinctions include speed limits, alcohol regulations, and lane usage. Understanding these disparities will enhance your travel experience and ensure your safety behind the wheel while navigating unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
estonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Estonia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
denmark:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
estonia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
estonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
estonia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
estonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties