International Driving Permit Estonia

What is the difference between an International Driving Permit (IDP) and an International Driver’s License (IDL)?

An International Driving Permit is a small grey booklet marginally larger than a passport containing a translation of your original driving license in 10 languages, including English, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish. It is recognized by 141 countries worldwide and is valid for one year.

In comparison, an International Driving License is not a legal document and cannot be used to drive in foreign countries or instead of an IDP.

How does an IDP work in Estonia?

International driving permits are acceptable in the country of Estonia. In addition to the individuals having an Estonian Driver’s license, foreigners with a valid IDP are also legally allowed to drive vehicles in the country. The tourists must have a valid international driver’s permit to drive a car in Estonia, especially for the foreigners whose local driver’s license has been issued by any country/state other than by a member state of the European Economic Area.

What Do You Need To Apply for an IDP?

The following documents are required to apply for an IDP

• Copy of your valid Passport or identity document
• Complete particulars of your domestic driving license
• A legible scanned image of your domestic driving license
• Recent passport-size photographs of yourself
• A fee of USD 49/- for the issuance of an IDP with a validity period of one year

United Nations Agreements on Road Traffic

Several international conventions deal with international laws regarding road traffic and safety, including Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. Estonia is a contracting party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, 1968, and Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, 1949. Being a contracting party to the Convention, the government of Estonia is required to take the following measures for road safety in the country:-

• To frame and enforce appropriate procedures for issuance of driving license.
• To make it mandatory for all applicants to take theoretical and practical tests for issuing a driving license.
• Allowing holders of valid International driver’s permits to drive vehicles in the country.
• Enforcing proper road traffic rules in the country.

Benefits of Carrying an IDP in Estonia

Having an IDP with you during your visit to Estonia not only lets you drive vehicles in the country, but it comes with several other benefits, which are listed below:-

Proof of Identity in a Foreign Country

An International Driver’s License is proof of your identity during your visit to Estonia. While driving in Estonia, the holder of a valid IDP does not have to carry multiple documents with them at all times as their IDP contains all the relevant information duly translated into twelve different languages; hence, it serves as enough proof of their entity. The road administration authorities and local police rarely require any other evidence of identity from holders of a valid IDP.

Evidence of Your Local Driving License

The basic document which makes you eligible for an IDP is your domestic license, and even the holder of a provisional or learner permit cannot acquire an IDP. Hence, if you have a valid IDP with you, you have a valid driver’s license issued by the relevant authority in your country/state and are eligible to drive vehicles.

Legal Document

An International License is a legal document that draws strength from International treaties. Further being based on an original license, the IDP is an internationally accepted legal document allowing tourists to drive private and rented vehicles during their foreign visits.

Eligibility to Rent a Car

The car rental agencies working in Estonia do not provide services to tourists unless and until a valid international license is presented before them. Hence, for all tourists intending to hire a car in Estonia for rent, they are required to show a valid IDP.

Peace of Mind

Not every tourist intends to self-drive vehicles during their tour to a foreign country. However, carrying an IDP with you is advisable even if you want to explore the country with a local driver, as the IDP makes you eligible to drive vehicles in a foreign country in case of any urgency or unfortunate incident. Having an IDP gives you peace of mind while enjoying your visit worldwide.

Renewing Your IDP or Original Driver’s License While in Estonia

The validity period of an international driver’s license validity ranges from six months to three years, depending on the holder’s request and payment of relevant fees. However, if your local driver’s license expires before your IDP expires, it makes your IDP invalid with immediate effect. Hence, while planning your trip abroad, make sure that the expiry date of your local license is not going to lapse during your trip.

However, if your local driver’s license expires on your trip, the application process for the renewal of the license is easy and hassle-free. Just contact the local authority which issued your driver’s license, online or through a mobile application, whatever the case may be, submit the required documents along with the renewal fee, and get your license renewed. The process of renewal of IDP is almost the same and generally requires the submission of the following documents:-

• An application for renewal
• The original expired license or its certified copy
• Complete particulars of expired license
• Passport-size photographs
• Payment of renewal fee

Car Rental in Estonia

A car rental agency charges a fee of $23 per day to $61 per day, depending on the kind of vehicle you will hire. However, Estonia’s most widely rented vehicle type is the Mini (Fiat 500), while the most popular cities to rent a car are Tallinn, Tartu, and Kuressaare.

The minimum age to rent a car in Estonia is twenty-one (21) years; however, individuals below the age of twenty-five (25) years are required to pay an additional surcharge along with the amount of rent if they wish to hire a vehicle for rent.

The following documents are mandatory for renting a vehicle in Estonia:-

• A valid driver’s license is issued at least one year before renting the car.
• Valid proof of identity in terms of an ID card or passport
• Contact number
• A credit card with a validity period of at least six months after the date of return of the car

In addition to essential car rental services, the following additional services are also offered by car rental agencies in Estonia for payment of an additional fee:-

• One way rentals
• The navigation system in the vehicle
• Services of additional driver
• Baby seats and child seats
• Bluetooth
• Insurance coverage of different types
• Winter equipment, including winter tires and ski box, etc.

Driving and Safety

The country of Estonia is a member of international conventions on road traffic and is bound to implement road safety rules and regulations. The administration of the government has taken very positive measures in this regard, due to which the country won the “2020 Road Safety Pin Award” by European Transport Safety Council.

While traveling around the country, it’s wise to keep in mind:

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road
• The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers at all times
• While driving in Estonia, you are required to keep your vehicle’s headlights on at all times, irrespective of the time of the day.
• The use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited
• The drink-drive limit in Estonia is 0.02%
• When a vehicle is stationary, the use of a horn is strictly prohibited except in case of extreme danger.
• A safety helmet is mandatory for motorcyclists
• From December to March, the drivers must ensure the use of winter tires and keep all the necessary equipment with them while driving.
• Drivers must always carry their valid driving license, an IDP, an ID card or passport, and vehicle registration documents.

Top 5 Destinations to Visit in Estonia

The country of Estonia is part of Northern Europe and shares borders with the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The country’s federal capital is Tallinn, with “Euro” as its official currency. Estonia is famous as one of the least religious countries in the world, with a population of approximately 1.331 million in 2020 as per the World Bank. The following five locations are considered the most wanted locations in Estonia:-

Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park is one of the most wanted locations in Northern Estonia, spread over an area of approximately 747 km2 which is only 70 KM away from the federal capital, i.e., Tallinn city. The word Lahemaa means “Land of Bays.”

Being the most famous tourist spot, many tour operators offer trips to the park while people can also drive on their own. This is one of the largest parks in Estonia, consisting of a coastline, pine and cliff forests, peat bogs, and large Ice Age Boulders. Lahemaa National Park is perfect for those who love hiking and have a taste for beautiful and cultural landscapes.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an orthodox cathedral in central Tallinn which was constructed between 1894-1900 when the country was part of the Russian Empire. This beautiful church is famous for its rich decoration and eleven (11) bells. One of them weighs approximately 16 tons, more than the combined weight of the other ten (10) bells. The interior of the church is decorated with mosaics and icons.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral hosts massive ceremonies, and a visit to the church is free of charge.

Kadriorg Palace

The Kadriorg Palace was constructed by Russian Tsar Peter I in 1718 in honor of his wife, Catherine. The Estonian and German name of the palace translates into “Catherine’s Valley.” If you visit the palace, you will see Kadriorg Art Museum, which displays ancient art pieces from the sixteenth (16th) to the twentieth (20th) centuries. You will also get a chance to visit Kadriorg Park.

This magnificent palace was designed by Nicola Michetti, an Italian architect, and consists of a vast hall that reflects Baroque architecture in Estonia. The palace building is surrounded by a beautiful garden containing hedges, fountains, and flowerbeds. The visiting hours of the palace are 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour

The Lennusadam Seaplane Harbour is an Estonian maritime museum in the city of Tallinn, which is one of the largest museums in Estonia. The museum’s interactive exhibition includes a real submarine from the mid-1930s, the seaplane Short 184, a 100-year-old ice-breaker, the Maasilinn ship, two cinemas, sail ships, boats, and naval mines, many simulators, and many more attractions.

The museum also serves as an institution to collect, preserve, study and present the maritime history of Estonia. The former captains and sailors of the country built this museum in 1935, which has been expanded ever since. Even if you are traveling with kids, you can enjoy the museum to the fullest as it offers a playground for children.

Matsalu National Park

The Matsalu National Park was previously known as Matsalu Nature Reserve, which is spread over an area of approximately 486.1 Km2 comprising Matsalu Bay, Kasari River Delta, nearly fifty (50) Islands, and Islets, and the village of Matsalu. Matsalu National Park was established in 1957 and is one of the wealthiest areas of bird species in Europe.

The best time to visit the park is during spring and fall, the bird migration period, as during this period, the park becomes a host to ducks, swans, geese, and cranes. According to statistics gathered by relevant authorities, around two million birds fly through the park annually, which serves as a stop to more than 230,000/- birds.

FAQs

What is the minimum age to drive in Estonia?

Estonia’s minimum driving age limit is eighteen (18) for cars. However, a sixteen (16) year old can drive a car in Estonia under the supervision of an adult.

Can I ride a bike/motorcycle in Estonia?

If your local license allows you to ride motorcycles, your IDP shall also make you eligible to ride in Estonia.

Do I need an International Driving License in Estonia?

A valid IDP is a must for all tourists who intend to drive either a private or a rented vehicle in Estonia.

Which side of the road do Estonians drive on?

Estonians drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake vehicles on the left.

What is the maximum validity period of an International Driving Permit in Estonia?

An IDP is issued with a validity period is one year.