Driving Differences: Estonia vs. Iceland Explained
When navigating the roads of Estonia and Iceland, drivers encounter distinct regulations that shape their experiences. From speed limits to lane usage, notable contrasts ensure safe travels. Estonia boasts variable speed indicators and mandatory reflective vests, while Iceland emphasizes stricter alcohol limits and distinctive signaling practices. Discover how these differences impact your journey.
Lanes
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
estonia:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
iceland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
iceland:
N/A
Signals
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
iceland:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
estonia:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
estonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
estonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
estonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame