In order to drive in Estonia, a foreign visitor from non-European Union countries must have both a valid driver license issued by his domestic country and a valid International driving permit.
To obtain an Estonian driver license, a person must live in Estonia for at least 185 days during the previous year. All individuals wanted to obtain an Estonian license must pass both a theoretical and practical exams. A driver license issued by country which is a member of the Vienna Convention (1968) on road traffic is exchanged without exams. A driver license issued by country which is a member of the Geneva Convention (1949) on road traffic is replaced to Estonian driving permit only after successful passage of the theory exam and the driving test.

Road traffic rules:

• Traffic moves on the right side of the road.
• To rent a car, a driver must be at least 19 years old.
• The minimum driving age is 18 years.
• A driver and all passengers  in front and rear seats must wear seat-belts.
• On a front seat of any car, it is forbidden to carry children sitting on a adult’s lap.
• Dipped headlights must be illuminated at all time while driving.
• Drivers must always stop for all pedestrians in marked crosswalks.
• It is forbidden to put children in a a rear-facing safety seat in front of a passenger air bag.
  
• Two warning triangles, a fire extinguisher and first-aid kid are obligatory.
• The legal blood alcohol level is 0.02%.
• To use of hand-held cell phones while driving is not permitted. It is permitted to use mobile phones with hands free systems.
• The maximum speed limit for cars in tows is 50 km/h (31 mph); 90 km/h (56) on open roads; 110 km/h on highways in summer season. The maximum speed limit for cars with a trailer is in tows is 50 km/h (31 mph); 70 km/h (56) on open roads; 90 km/h on highways. In residential areas, the maximum speed is 20 km/h.
• Winter tires are required from 1 December to 1 March.
• It is not permitted to overtake a tram which has stopped to let passengers on or off.
• It is not permitted to use the radar detectors.
• It is not permitted to use a car’s horn in towns and villages.
• The fire and third party liability insurance is mandatory.
• Police phone number is 110.

Additional information:

• In the case of a road accident, drivers should not move the vehicle until the police reach the scene.
• It is recommended to have a reflective vest and torch, two usable wheel chocks.
• There are no toll roads in Estonia.
• It is required to pay for parking in the center of the large cities. Drivers must pay for parking by a special parking card (parking hours) which can be bought in shops, booths, and from employees of a parking. In some parking places, there are parking machines. On the coupon, which gives out the parking machine, resolved time of a parking is noted. If other is not specified, the parking is paid from 07:00 (7 a.m.) to 19:00 (7 p.m.) on weekdays and from 08:00 (8a.m.) to 15:00 (3 p.m.) on Saturday; On Sunday and holidays, parking is free.
• In cities, parking places are marked: "blue zones" are for short-term parking from 1 to 1½ hours, "green zones" are for longer periods. "Red zones" are places where parking is prohibited.
• To use of snow tires is allowed from October, 1 to March, 31.
•  When renting a car, drivers under 25 may pay a young driver surcharge.
• Drivers must carry their valid driver licences, International driving permits, car registration documents, and insurance documents at all times while driving.
• Speed cameras are used on the roads.

Estonian Road Traffic Signs
Estonia Road Marking

• Estonian Driving Vocabulary

 Driving Overseas - Short Information