Driving Differences: Estonia vs. Ireland Explained
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations and driving customs in Estonia and Ireland. From the contrasting sides of the road each country favors to distinct speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring secure travel abroad. Dive into our in-depth comparison to enhance your driving experience and maintain safety on international roads.
Lanes
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
estonia:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
estonia:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
ireland:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
ireland:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
estonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
estonia:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
ireland:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Random breath testing is common. |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay