Do I Need an International Driving Permit in Estonia?We have not yet checked Estonia’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
We have not yet checked Estonia’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Rules for all foreign drivers in Estonia
We have not yet checked Estonia’s own rules for foreign licences.
Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Which IDP version Estonia accepts
Estonia is a party to both the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna Convention, so both IDP formats are recognised.
| Convention | Status |
|---|---|
| 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 1 April 2021) |
| 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Party (acceded 24 August 1992) |
Source: United Nations Treaty Collection.
Getting the right IDP for Estonia
Ask for the 1949 or 1968 IDP. In the UK: PayPoint stores (choose the 1949 or 1968 IDP). In the US: AAA. In Canada: CAA. Elsewhere: your national automobile club or licensing authority.
What the UK, US and Canadian governments tell their citizens
No IDP needed with a UK licence or an EU/EEA licence. US licence holders need an IDP.
UK licence holdersUK licence accepted, no IDP needed.Source: UK FCDO, updated 11 August 2026
US licence holdersIDP required.Source: US Department of State, updated 30 March 2026
Canadian licence holdersNot covered by this source.- EU/EEA licence holdersEU/EEA licence accepted, no IDP needed.Source: Your Europe (European Union), Directive 2006/126/EC
What the governments say
Short quotes from each government's travel advice for its own citizens. The wording is theirs.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
You can drive in Estonia with a UK driving licence.
Source: UK FCDO travel advice for Estonia, updated 11 August 2026. Quoted as published.
US Department of State
If you plan to drive in Estonia, you must have a valid U.S. driver’s license. Licenses which do not include a symbol and description of the vehicle category the driver is licensed to operate must be accompanied by a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). IDPs can be obtained from either the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance before departing the United States.
Source: US Department of State travel advice for Estonia, updated 30 March 2026. Quoted as published.
Questions
Can I drive in Estonia with a foreign licence?
We have not yet checked Estonia’s own rules for foreign licences. Both the 1949 and 1968 IDP are recognised.
Can I drive in Estonia with a 1968 IDP?
Yes. Estonia is a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention (acceded 24 August 1992), so a 1968 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Can I drive in Estonia with a 1949 IDP?
Yes. Estonia is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention (acceded 1 April 2021), so a 1949 IDP is recognised. Carry it together with your national driving licence.
Do UK licence holders need an IDP in Estonia?
No. A UK driving licence is accepted in Estonia. Source: UK FCDO, updated 11 August 2026.
Do US licence holders need an IDP in Estonia?
Yes. Source: US Department of State, updated 30 March 2026.
Do EU licence holders need an IDP in Estonia?
No. An EU/EEA driving licence is recognised in Estonia. Source: Your Europe (European Union), Directive 2006/126/EC.
About International Driving Permits
What is an International Driving Permit?
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is an official translation of your national driving licence, set out in a standard format agreed under United Nations road traffic conventions.
An IDP is not a licence on its own. It is valid only when carried together with your valid national driving licence. During a traffic stop, you must show both documents.
An IDP helps because it allows police, car rental companies and insurers abroad to read and understand your licence details, even where the language differs from their own.
You can only obtain an IDP from the country that issued your driving licence, and you must do this before you travel. It cannot be obtained or renewed once you are abroad.
Whether you need an IDP depends on your destination, where your licence was issued and sometimes how long you plan to stay. The answer for this country is at the top of this page.
1949 or 1968 IDP: which one do you need?
There are two main IDP formats, based on two UN road traffic conventions: the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention. An older format, based on the 1926 Paris Convention, is still required in a few countries.
The 1949 IDP is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The 1968 IDP is valid for up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first.
Your destination decides which format it accepts, based on the convention or conventions it has joined. Some countries are party to both the 1949 and 1968 conventions.
If you are visiting several countries on one trip, you may need more than one IDP, depending on which conventions each country has joined.
| Format | Based on | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 IDP | 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic | 1 year from date of issue |
| 1968 IDP | 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic | Up to 3 years, or until your national licence expires, whichever comes first |
| 1926 IDP | 1926 Paris Convention | Required in a few countries only |
The page for each country shows which convention it has joined.
Related
- International Driving Permit: all countries
- Do I need an IDP in Albania?
- Do I need an IDP in Andorra?
- Do I need an IDP in Austria?
- How to get citizenship of Estonia
Sources and methodology
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office: travel advice for Estonia. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
- US Department of State: travel advice for Estonia. US Department of State: public domain (US Government work).
- Your Europe (European Union): recognition of driving licences, Directive 2006/126/EC.
- United Nations Treaty Collection: status of the 1949 and 1968 road traffic conventions.
The licence statuses above are derived automatically from the government text quoted on this page. Government advice changes often: confirm the current rules with the official source before you travel.
Last checked 9 November 2026.