Cross-border route
Russia Estonia
Russia 
EstoniaDriving across the border
Yes — you can drive from Russia into Estonia, and you should carry an International Driving Permit alongside your national licence. Estonia expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, in the Both format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.
Last reviewed June 2026
Route at a glance
FromRussia
ToEstonia
IDP in EstoniaRequired
Accepted formatBoth
Driving sideright (no change)
Currency in EstoniaEUR
Russia → Estonia
Crossing the border
Russia and Estonia share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.
Driving rules in Estonia
- Headlights on day and night, all year.
- Winter tyres mandatory Dec–Mar.
- 0.02% alcohol limit.
- Reflective vest and triangle required.
What to see when you arrive in Estonia
- the medieval old town of Tallinn
- Lahemaa National Park
- the island of Saaremaa
- Tartu's university quarter
- the Baltic coast
Common questions
01
Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Russia to Estonia?
Yes — Estonia requires foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Estonia recognises the Both format, which is what we issue.
02
Does the driving side change between Russia and Estonia?
No. Both Russia and Estonia drive on the right.
03
How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?
International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.
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