Driving in Estonia vs. Monaco: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Estonia and Monaco, travelers should be aware of the stark contrasts in traffic regulations and safety practices. From varying speed limits to distinct lane markings, each country presents unique driving challenges. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a smooth and secure journey while abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Bus Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for traffic violations |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
monaco:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
estonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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 | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
monaco:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
monaco:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon