Driving in Estonia vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Estonia and Turkey, ensuring a safe journey wherever you roam. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions, highlighting the unique driving landscapes of these two nations. Stay informed for a secure and enjoyable travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
turkey:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
turkey:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges