Public Services
Driving in Estonia
WHEN DOES AN AMERICAN NEED AN ESTONIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE?
An American citizen may drive in Estonia for up to one year using a valid U.S. driver's license in conjunction with an International Driving Permit. To obtain an international driving permit, contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (through the National Auto Club). These two agencies are the only two entities in the United States which provide valid, legal international permits.
AAA (American Automobile Association)
National Auto Club
It is suggested that all individuals planning to reside for more than one year in Estonia, trade in their U.S. driver's license, as soon as possible. Procedures for changing a driver's license issued in the United States into an Estonian driver's license are listed below.
Individuals who wait more than one year to trade in their license or who obtain a traffic violation prior to trading in his/her license will have to apply for a new Estonian driver's license which requires completion of a driver's education course and passage of both a theoretical (written) and a practical driver's exam. Estonian traffic regulations do not allow persons to have two valid driver's licenses simultaneously, so a valid U.S. license must be surrendered to the Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Center when an Estonian license is obtained. The license will not be returned to the resident American, even upon departure from Estonia for return to the U.S.
The Estonian Vehicles Registration Center will issue an official translation of an Estonian driver's license for use by any American who must travel to the U.S. and use the Estonian license to drive there.
For more information, please visit the Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Center (ARK) website: Eesti Autoregistrikeskus.
HOW TO CHANGE A LICENSE ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES INTO AN ESTONIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE?
Individuals wishing to change their U.S. driver's license into an Estonian license should visit the Tallinn Bureau of the Vehicle Registration Center (Autoregistrikeskuse Tallinna Büroo) located at Mäepealse 19 in Tallinn, tel: 620-1200. Its office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
In order to change a license, the Vehicle Registration Center requires the following information:
1. Completed driver's license application;
2. Valid U.S. driver's license;
3. Valid International Driver's Permit;
4. Valid medical check from an Estonian doctor certifying that you are capable to drive a car (the exam must have been carried out within 2 years of application);
5. Passport or National Estonian ID-card;
6. 400 EEK;
7. A digital-photo (free of charge) will be taken at the Vehicle Registration Center.
HOW TO OBTAIN AN ESTONIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE?
Individuals required to obtain a new Estonian driver's license should visit the Tallinn Bureau of the Vehicle Registration Center (Autoregistrikeskuse Tallinna Büroo) located at Mäepealse 19 in Tallinn, tel: 620-1200. Its office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Applicants will be required to pass both a theoretical and practical driver's exam. These exams are available in English. For more information about the exams please visit the Estonian Motor Vehicle Registration Center website: Eesti Autoregistrikeskus.
To take an exam, applicants are required to provide the following information:
1. Completed driver's license application form;
2. Valid medical check from an Estonian doctor certifying that you are capable to drive a car (the exam must have been carried out within 2 years of application);
3. Passport or Estonian National ID-card;
4. Training certificate of motor vehicle driver issued by driving school;
5. A document certifying the right to drive in case it has been previously issued;
6. Applicable Fees;
a. Theoretical (Written) Exam: 400EEK;
b. Practical Exam: 600EEK;
7. A digital-photo (free of charge) will be taken at the Vehicle Registration Center.
According to the Motor Vehicle Registration Center, there is a driving school in Tallinn that provides the English language consultations. It is the Niguliste Autokool and is located at Niguliste 2-26, tel: (+372) 631-3203.
An Estonian Driver's License is valid for 10 years from its date of issuance.