Driving in Estonia vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Estonia and Russia, it's essential to understand the key distinctions in their driving regulations and safety measures. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol thresholds and emergency contact numbers, these variations can significantly impact your travel experience. Stay informed to ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
russia:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| 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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially in cities |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay