Driving Differences: Estonia vs United Kingdom Explained
When navigating the roads of Estonia and the United Kingdom, understanding their unique driving customs is vital for ensuring safety. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol regulations, these nations exhibit significant distinctions. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your overall driving experience and promote road safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
Driving Side
estonia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
estonia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
estonia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
estonia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
estonia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
estonia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
estonia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
united kingdom:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
estonia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
estonia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
estonia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
estonia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay