Driving in Estonia vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Estonia and Spain. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol thresholds and emergency contacts, this comparison highlights essential distinctions for safe travels. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience in each country, making your journey both enjoyable and compliant.
Lanes
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
estonia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 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) | 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 | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
spain:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay