Driving in Estonia vs. Serbia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Estonia and Serbia, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and requirements. From speed limits to lane markings, each country has unique stipulations that impact road safety. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, whether you're navigating rural landscapes or urban streets.
Lanes
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| 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) | 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 | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
serbia:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
serbia:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay