RoadVisa Beta

Can I drive in Estonia with an Australian licence?

Pick where your licence is from and where you're going.

Australia→EstoniaVisiting
Extra document needed
Yes, with an International Driving Permit
How longYour whole stay as a visitor
What to carry
  • Your valid licence
  • An International Driving Permit (1949 format) from your home country
International Driving Permit (IDP)

Needed: the 1949 format, from your home country.

Good to know
  • Estonia only accepts a licence on its own if it shows the vehicle categories in the international format (category letters with a pictogram or weight).
  • Watch for moose and deer on rural roads, especially at dawn and dusk.
  • In some winters, official ice roads open to the islands. Drive on them only when they're officially open, and follow the posted rules.
Official sourcesTranspordiamet: Driving licence issued outside Estonia ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Coming with your own car

How long your car can stayUp to 1 year. A car that stays in Estonia longer must be registered there.
Documents in the carYour vehicle registration certificate. Proof of insurance. If the car isn't yours, written permission from the owner.
InsuranceInsurance from Australia isn't valid here. Buy local insurance before you drive, for example at the border.
Country signCarry an oval AUS sticker on the back.
Headlights (recommended)Your car is built for driving on the left, so the dipped beam points towards oncoming traffic. Beam deflector stickers, or the headlight setting some newer cars have, help avoid dazzling other drivers.
Estonian government: In Estonia with a car ↗Assumes your car is registered in the same country as your licence. Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Driving in Estonia: the basics

This is general information. Always follow the road signs.

Driving sideRight
Default speed limit: towns50 km/h
Default speed limit: outside towns90 km/h
Default speed limit: motorwaysUp to 110 km/h on some dual carriageways in summer, where signed
HeadlightsDipped headlights or daytime running lights on at all times.
Winter tyresRequired from 1 December to 1 March.
Required in the carWarning triangle, fire extinguisher, wheel chock and reflective vest.
Road tollsFree for cars and vans up to 3.5 t. Goods vehicles over 3.5 t pay a time-based road charge.
Estonian road user charge (official) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026

Rules in Estonia for every licence →

RoadVisa covers 42 countries. Rules change, so every answer links to the official source. Check it before you drive or book anything.

Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

Where does the information come from?

From official sources only: licensing authorities, ministries, police and government websites, read in each country's own language. Every answer links to its sources and shows when it was last checked.

What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

Is RoadVisa official?

No. RoadVisa is an independent guide and isn't linked to any government or licensing authority. The authority that handles your application always has the final word.

Is RoadVisa free?

Yes, RoadVisa is free to use.

I found a mistake. What should I do?

Use "Wrong information? Help us fix it" above. We check every report against the official sources and correct the answer.

About RoadVisa and disclaimerWho we are, and how to use this information.

An independent guide. RoadVisa is a private project. It is not run by, linked to or approved by any government, licensing authority (such as a national road traffic agency or a US DMV), embassy or driving school.

Information only, not legal advice. RoadVisa sums up official rules in plain English. It does not replace the official rules, and it is not a decision about your case. Only the authority that handles your application can decide that.

Rules change. Every answer shows when it was last checked and links to the official source. Check that source before you drive, book a test, move or apply. If RoadVisa and the official source differ, follow the official source.

Your situation matters. The answer can depend on your residence status, licence category, age and when your licence was issued. If you're unsure, ask the licensing authority or your embassy.

Car hire and insurance. Car hire companies and insurers can set their own rules, for example asking for an International Driving Permit even where it isn't required. Check with them too.

Our responsibility. We work hard to keep RoadVisa correct, but we can't promise it is complete or up to date. As far as the law allows, we are not responsible for fines, refused applications, costs or other losses that come from relying on it.

Links to other sites. We link to official and other websites for your convenience. We don't control them and aren't responsible for their content.

Found a mistake? Use the report form above. What you send is used only to check and correct the information. See our privacy notice.