Toll roads in Estonia? How to buy a vignette in Estonia? Fines in Estonia? Parking in Estonia? Autostrada in Estonia? Estonia Finland ferry? We have collected answers to all these questions for you in this article.
The length of the network of public highways in Estonia is 58,412 km. Of them, 10,427 km are paved.
Toll Motorways in Estonia
There are no tolls for using highways in Estonia.
Parking in Estonia
Parking in the center of large cities is paid. Parking is paid for using a special parking card (parking clock), which can be purchased at shops, kiosks and from parking staff.
There are parking meters in some places. The allowed parking time is marked on the ticket issued by the machine.
In Tallinn, you can use scratch-off parking tickets to pay for parking, which are sold at the price of 0.26, 0.51, 1.15 and 2.30 euros. On the ticket, you need to mark (scratch) the start time of parking in the following fields: year, month, number, hour, minutes. The specified parking ticket must be placed behind the windshield of the vehicle.
Unless otherwise stated, parking is charged from 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. Parking costs €1-2 per hour.
Improperly parked vehicles are subject to forced evacuation, and violators are fined up to 70 euros.
Parking in Tallinn
Parking is paid in the city center. Where the signs indicate, the first 15 minutes of parking are free. Parking time must be recorded using a parking clock.
For this, it is recommended to use either a parking clock with two hands, or write the time on paper.
The parking clock with the initial parking time must be installed under the windshield of the vehicle in such a way that their readings are easily read from the outside.
When setting the start time of parking on a parking clock with two hands, it is necessary to be guided by the principles of operation of a mechanical clock, i.e. when reading the time, the positions of both hands are considered.
Unguarded public paid parking in Tallinn is divided into several zones, and since January 1, 2016, flat rates have been established:
| Parking area | One minute parking | Paid parking time |
|---|---|---|
VANALINN (Old Town) | € 0.10 (€ 6/year) | round the clock from Monday to Sunday |
SÜDALINN (City Center) | € 0.08 (€ 4.80/year) | round the clock from Monday to Sunday |
| CENTRAL CITY | € 0.025 (€ 1.50/year) | from 07:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays days for free. |
| PIRITA | € 0.01 (€ 0.60/year) | from May 15 to September 15, from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00 |
Motorcycle parking in Tallinn’s paid parking area is free.
Parking is prohibited in the Old Town (the rule came into effect on December 15, 2013):
- in the summer period from April 1 to November 14 on Saturdays from 00:00 to 06:00 in Zone I and on Sundays from 00:00 to 06:00 in Zone II;
- in the winter period from November 15 to March 31 on even days from 00:00 to 06:00 in the I zone and on odd days from 00:00 to 06:00 in the II zone.
In the case of non-payment of the parking fee or exceeding the paid parking time, the parking supervisor makes a decision to assign a “fee for exceeding the parking time”. The late payment fee is €31. If the parking fee is paid at a lower rate, the overdue fee is €15.
Payment of parking by means of SMS-messages
You can also pay for parking using a mobile phone by sending an SMS to the short number 1902. In the SMS message, you must write the registration number of the car and the parking zone. For parking, call the short number 1903.
Example:
To park a car with registration number о123оо178 in the Parking Zone KESKLINN in Tallinn, you need to send an SMS with the following content: о123оо178 KESKLINN.
In order to finish parking a car with registration number о123оо178 regardless of the Parking Zone, you need to send an SMS message with the following content: < a i=3>STOP о123оо178.
You can read more on the Kartplata website
Road map of Estonia
The main traffic laws of Estonia
Speed limits in Estonia
Standard speed limits in Estonia (unless otherwise indicated on signs). Cars and motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 110 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 90 km/h
The maximum speed in the residential area is 20 km/h.
Alcohol
The maximum permissible blood alcohol level in Estonia 0.2 ‰ .
If the level of alcohol in the blood is between 0.2 ‰ and up to 0.49 ‰, then the fine will be € 400 and deprivation of rights for a period of up to 6 months.
If the level of alcohol in the blood is between 0.5 ‰ and up to 1.49 ‰, then the fine will be € 1,200 and deprivation of rights for up to 12 months.
Low light
Dipped beam in Estonia is mandatory 24 hours a day all year round.
Daytime running lights can be turned on instead of dipped beam during daylight hours. Daytime running lights can be turned on without turning on the side lights and number plate illumination.
The front fog lights can be used when driving in conjunction with the front lights in conditions of poor visibility due to fog or rain.
The fine is up to €200.
Transportation of children in Estonia
It is forbidden to transport children under the age of three in a place that does not have a seat belt. A child may be transported in the front seat only if the child is properly fastened with a seat belt or restraint.
If the child’s growth does not allow him to be properly fastened with a seat belt, then when transporting the child in a vehicle equipped with seat belts, restraint equipment appropriate for the age and weight of the child should be used.
Equipment installed with its back to the traffic, it is prohibited to use the transportation of children on seats equipped with ready-to-use front airbags.
If, when transporting children in the back seat of a passenger car, due to the installed restraints for two children, it is not possible to install a central restraint, then at least the waist part of an adult seat belt should be used to fix a child who has reached the age of three in the middle seat.
It is forbidden to transport children under the age of 12 on the back seat of mopeds and motorcycles.
The fine is up to €400.
Safety belts
Using seat belts in Estonia is mandatory for the driver, front and rear passengers.
When traveling on motorcycles and mopeds, the driver and passengers must wear a fastened motorcycle helmet.
Fine – €200.
Phoning
It is forbidden to use while the vehicle is moving without an auxiliary device that allows you to use it without the help of hands, and to hold the phone in your hands while the vehicle is moving.
Fine – €16.
Tinting
The transparency of the windshield of a car in Estonia must be a minimum of 75%, except for DOT-marked glass or glass on cars produced before 1985, where the glass transparency must be a minimum of 70%.
The transparency of the side front windows must be at least 70%, regardless of the year of manufacture of the car.
Fines in Estonia
Police officers can collect fines at the scene of the violation.Fines for some traffic violations in Estonia:
| Violation | Fine (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Exiting the intersection or pedestrian crossing at a traffic light prohibiting signal | € 200 |
| Violation of the rules of crossing railway crossings | €400 |
| Creating obstacles to the use of the right of way | €400 |
| Violation of overtaking rules | €400 |
| Driving in the oncoming traffic lane | €400 |
| Driving a vehicle with difficult to see registration numbers | €40 |
| Driving through a traffic light prohibiting sign | € 200 |
| Do not pass a pedestrian at an unregulated intersection | € 200 |
| Ignoring the vehicle stop signal | € 800 |
For repeated violations, fines for some violations may be several times higher. Penalties for speeding in Estonia:
| Speeding in Estonia | Fine (EUR) |
|---|---|
| up to 20 km/year | € 120 |
| from 21 km/h to 40 km/h | €400 |
| from 41 km/h to 60 km/h | € 800 |
| over 60 km/h | € 1,200 |
A court or an institution conducting extrajudicial proceedings may apply as an additional punishment deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 1 to 12 months.
Useful Information
Fuel prices in Estonia
Unleaded gasoline (95 and 98) and diesel fuel are available in Estonia. Gas stations (LPG) are available.
Average prices for all types of fuel as of 01.12.2023 :
- Eurosuper (95) – € 1.679
- Super Plus (98) – €1,729
- Diesel – € 1.579
- Autogaz (LPG) – €0.676
Border crossing
The procedure for crossing the border of the Republic of Estonia is as follows:
- After passing the barrier at the entrance to the checkpoint, go to the desired corridor (Red or Green), depending on the availability of items to be declared.
- When you get to the checkpoint, turn off the engine and wait for the customs officer to inspect the car.
- After the inspection, everyone approaches the passport control window with their passports and receives a border crossing stamp in their passport. In addition to the passport, the driver must present the “Certificate of Registration” for the car and the “Green Card” insurance.
Emergency numbers in Estonia
- The European emergency number is 112
- Police – 110
- Ambulance – 112
- Technical assistance on roads – 118
Mandatory equipment
Equipment that must be in a car in Estonia:
- Emergency stop sign
- Car first aid kit – only for legal entities
- Extinguisher
- Two anti-roll boots – only for cars with local registration
Winter equipment
Winter tires
The use of winter tires in Estonia is mandatory from December 1 to March 1 for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tons. These dates may be changed depending on weather conditions. The minimum tread depth should be 3 mm.
Studded tires
The use of studded tires in Estonia is allowed from October 15 to March 31. Depending on weather conditions (snow, ice), this term can be extended for the period from October 1 to April 30. Studded tires must be installed on all wheels.
Anti-slip chains
Skid chains are allowed.
Requirements for the use of winter and studded tires in different European countries.
Recommended equipment and other rules
It is not necessary to have a reflective vest in the car, but it is forbidden to get out of the car without it outside of populated areas at night.
It is recommended to have a set of spare bulbs, fan belt and spare spark plugs in the car.
The use of radar detectors is prohibited. Fine of €400 and confiscation of the device itself.