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Driving in Estonia vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences

Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Estonia and Sweden, essential for ensuring your travels remain secure. From unique lane markings to varied speed limits and traffic protocols, this comparison highlights how each country approaches road etiquette and safety measures. Understanding these distinctions will enhance your driving experience abroad.

Lanes

Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
estonia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.

Signals

Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
estonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
estonia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
estonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
estonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
estonia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
estonia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
estonia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
estonia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.

Turns

Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
estonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
estonia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
estonia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
estonia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
estonia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
estonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
estonia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
estonia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
estonia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
estonia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
estonia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
estonia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
estonia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.

Alcohol

Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
estonia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
estonia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
estonia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
estonia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
estonia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
estonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
estonia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
estonia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.

Emergency Services

Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
estonia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
estonia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.