Estonia vs. Italy: Key Driving Differences You Should Know
Explore the distinct driving regulations of Estonia and Italy, two vibrant European nations with unique road rules. From speed limits to traffic signals, this comparison reveals vital contrasts in lane markings, alcohol limits, and enforcement practices. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe journey while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 130 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 | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
italy:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Alcohol
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
italy:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days