Estonia vs Slovakia: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Estonia and Slovakia, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that ensure safety and compliance. Key variations include speed limits, traffic signals, and alcohol consumption rules. Understanding these contrasts is vital for a secure journey, whether you're enjoying the scenic routes of Estonia or the vibrant highways of Slovakia.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
slovakia:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay