A guide to driving in ESTONIAVVIISSIITTOORR IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN AATT AA GGLLAANNCCEE

l Estonia has 1.4 million inhabitants and 650,982registered vehicles including 546,375 passengercars.l There are nearly 500,000 licence holders in thecountry.l Altogether there are 1,602 kms of mainmotorways in Estonia, which make up 10% of thewhole network of national roads. Daily traffic onthe main motorways forms approximately 50% ofall traffic.l Estonia is situated in the Baltic region ofNorthern Europe and spreads over an area ofapproximately 45,226 sq kml Estonia is the smallest of all the Baltic States,being only slightly bigger than Switzerland orDenmarkl The international vehicle ID code is EST

Please see next page for comprehensiveinformation on specific road rules andTISPOLs advice on safer driving.

This document was last revised on1 April 2014

A guide to driving in ESTONIADDrriivviinngg ffaaccttssl The minimum age for driving is 18.The validity of a provisional drivinglicence is limited to two years, afterwhich a theory test is required. Successin the test enables the candidate to drivea passenger car or motorcycle without achaperone.l From the age of 16, a learner canstart to drive a passenger car with a pro-visional licence under the supervision ofa parent or close family friend.l Moped licences can be issued topersons aged 14 and over. A licence isnot mandatory at the age of 16.

DDrriinnkk--ddrriivvee lliimmiitt::l The general blood alcohol contentlimit is 0.24 BAC. Drivers detectedwith more than this will have theirlicence withdrawn or may be sub-jected to court proceedings.l Drivers detected with more than0.75 BAC will be subjected to crimi-nal and court proceedings.l Police have the right to use forceto take blood or body fluid toanalyse for alcohol or drugs.

AAnnnnuuaall rrooaadd ddeeaatthhssl Recent statistics identify that out of1,852 road traffic accidents involving ahuman casualty, 412 accidents (22%)occurred as a result of an intoxicateddriver.This was the lowest level

recorded during the last three years.l In 2008, 43 people died and 560people were injured due to a drink-driving incident, which represents areduction from 2007 when the numbersrecorded were 81 fatalities and 786people casualties.

SSppeeeedd lliimmiittssl 110 km/h for cars and motorcyclistson selected roads (summer only).l 90 km/h for all cars out of town.l 50 km/h for all cars in built-up areasand towns

MMoottoorrccyycclleessl Motorcycles represent an increasingpart of Estonia's traffic.l In 1997 the number of registeredmotorcycles in Estonia was 4,680, but by2007 there had been a significantincrease to 14,694.l In 2009 the number of registeredmotorcycles in Estonia rose to 18,016.

PPeeddeessttrriiaannssl During 1997, 73 pedestrians died and453 people were injured in road trafficaccidents. By 2008, the figures haddeclined with a total of 39 pedestrianfatalities and 414 road traffic casualties.l The involvement of pedestrians intraffic accidents where there werehuman casualties fell by 16% from 2007to 2008, the most frequent type ofaccident being a collision with apedestrian (24% of instances).

IInn tthhee ccaappiittaall,, TTaalllliinnnn,, bbeeffoorree tthhee ggrreeeenn lliigghhtt ooff aattrraaffffiicc ssiiggnnaall cchhaannggeess,, tthhee lliigghhtt ffllaasshheess ttwwiiccee..

EEnnffoorrcceemmeennttViolations against the regulations of the road traffic act are enforced by theappropriate competent traffic police authority. Penalty ranges for a variety of offencesare pre-determined and Estonian law enforcement officers are authorised to issueon-the-spot fines.A driver may be subjected to court proceedings in the following situations:

l The driver takes charge of a vehicle in a state of intoxication (alcohol or drug).l drives the vehicle without a licence.l exceeds the permissible speed limit by between 21 and 40 km/h; and by morethan 40 km/h.l causes a severe traffic accident.l consumes alcohol after a road traffic accident.l fails to report a traffic accident to the police when it is obligatory.l leaves the site of a traffic accident.l ignores the stop signal of a police officer or traffic regulator.

UUsseeffuull pphhrraasseessCall the police! KKuuttssuuggee ppoolliittsseeii!!

Do you speak English? KKaass ttee rrggiittee iinngglliissee kkeeeelltt??

My car has broken down.MMiinnuu aauuttoo oonn kkaattkkii..

Where is the nearest fuel station?KKuuss oonn llhhiimm ttaannkkllaa??

I am lost.OOlleenn eekkssiinnuudd..

Thank you!TTnnaann!!

Pics: Shutterstock

EEmmeerrggeennccyy ccoonnttaaccttssIn an emergency, call 111122 ffoorr aammbbuullaanncceeoorr rreessccuuee. Call 110 for police.Police website: www.politsei.ee

A guide to driving in ESTONIAUseful regulations and advice

What documents must I be able to pro-duce if requested by the police?If you intend to drive your own vehiclein Estonia, you must also have theoriginal V5 C (Vehicle RegistrationDocument). The Estonian BorderGuards may seize your vehicle if you donot have this.

Do I need to carry a reflective jacket inmy car? If so, how many?It is recommended.

Do I need to carry spare bulbs for thelights on my vehicle? If so, for whichlights?No.

Do I need to carry spare spectacles if Iwear them for driving? Do others in thevehicle with me also need to carry sparespectacles if they wear them fordriving?it is not mandatory, but is a sensibleprecaution.

Do I need to carry a fire extinguisher?It is recommended that you carry a fireextinguisher, and also a torch.

Any other requirements I should beaware of regarding the equipment orpaperwork I need for a journey in orthrough your country?You need a first aid kit, two warning tri-angles and two wheel chocks.

Winter driving

What items are required or recom-mended for journeys made in winter?Winter tyres must be fitted between 1December and 1 March. It is worth alsonoting that dipped headlights must beused at all times, all year round.

Passengers

Is there a minimum age or height for apassenger to ride in the front seat?No.

What specific regulations are in placefor carrying babies and children?No specific regulations but all childrenmust be suitably restrained on journeys.It is compulsory to wear a seatbelt if it isfitted. This applies both to front and rearseat occupants.

Do you have any specific rules regard-ing the carriage of dogs and other pets?No. However, they should not beallowed to distract the driver during ajourney.

Breakdown and collision advice

Please give brief advice on what Ishould do if my vehicle breaks down, onthe motorway and on other roads. Display warning triangles at a suitabledistance on each side of your car, if it isa hazard to others. It is recommendedthat you have a mobile phone availableand the telephone number of your break-down insurance company to hand in theevent of breaking down. Winters inEstonia can be harsh. Therefore, it is asensible precaution to check the weatherforecast and road conditions before set-ting out. Taking adequate emergency

supplies of food and warm beverages isalso recommended, especially on a longjourney.

Please give clear advice on what I amrequired to do if I am involved in acollision.If there are injuries, or the road isblocked, then you should call the police.The number is 110. Try to help thosewho are injured, and warn other roadusers of the hazard. But do not put your-self in any further danger.

Local knowledge

Are there dangers to road users fromwildlife? If so, in which parts of yourcountry?Driving on rural roads during the nightcan be particularly hazardous. There area lot of moose and deer that can causesevere injuries if you strike them.

People come to Estonia formany different reasons. Perhapsthe most popular visitor attractionis the Old Town of Tallinn, whichrates as the best preserved intactmedieval city in Europe. Theintricate and carefully painteddoors, the high towers, the amaz-ing woodwork and the beautifulcobbled streets all combine tomake it an unforgettable place.Away from the city, there are his-toric manor houses offering goodvalue bed and breakast. There arehundreds of kilometres of beach -mostly deserted - and a fantasticnetwork of hiking trails throughforest and nationalpark.

Estonia is work-ing hard to drivedown the number

of road casualties. We ask that you take care and think not only foryourself but for the other driver who may not be quite so aware ofrisks. Last of all. dont drink and drive. We enforce our zero limitvigorously.

RRiihhoo TTaannaakkTTIISSPPOOLL,, EEssttoonniiaa

AAnndd ffiinnaallllyy...

Estonia1Estonia2