Limited right to drive

In Estonia, you can get a driving licence at the ages of 15–17, i.e. before turning 18. In this case, your right to drive is called a limited right to drive. This means that a driver who is a minor can operate a vehicle only if accompanied by a more experienced driver.

A limited right to drive is granted for driving a passenger car (category B) and a tractor (category T). For this type of driving licence, a written consent of a parent or a legal representative (e.g. a guardian) must be submitted to the Transport Administration.

A limited right to drive category B vehicles is granted to 16- and 17-year-old persons. A limited right to drive category T vehicles is granted from the age of 15.

From now on, we will focus on category B. For more information on the limited right to drive category T vehicles, please click on this link.

Another driver must be next to the driver with a limited right to drive who has held a driving licence for the respective category (incl. a provisional driving licence) for at least two years. The other driver can be a parent or a legal representative of the minor child or a person with a written consent of the legal representative. The other driver must have a valid driving licence for the respective category, issued at least two years ago. The other driver must be sober and carry their driving licence.

Exams for limited right to drive can be taken from the age of 16. In order to register for the exam, you have to come to the bureau of the Department of Transport together with your parent or legal representative (registration via e-services is not possible).

A driver with a limited right to drive cannot exceed the speed limit of 90 km/h. Their vehicle must be designated with a novice driver’s badge (the so-called ‘maple leaf’). His or her driving licence is valid until turning 18 and allows driving a vehicle only in Estonia.

Please note! You must pass the theory and driving tests of the Transport Administration to receive a provisional driving licence. This means that both tests are taken twice – first for the limited right to drive and then for a provisional driving licence. This is the reason why many of the younger drivers decide to take a driving course and then wait until they turn 18 so that they would be issued a provisional driving licence right away, and not a limited right to drive.

Why is this practice common? When you are taking a driving course at a driving school, you will be issued a learner’s form, which gives you the right to drive on the roads with a personal driving supervisor (for more information, please click on this link). Once you have passed your driving school tests, you will be issued a learner’s certificate (the so-called ‘driving school certificate’) which has no term, or in other words, is valid for the rest of your life. This certificate will also allow you to drive with a personal driving supervisor. So, in conclusion, it does not make much difference whether you have been granted a limited right to drive or you are driving with a learner’s form/certificate, because you cannot drive independently anyway. We are not trying to encourage you to forego the limited right to drive – we are simply informing you of the options. Therefore, please consider your options and pick what suits you the best.