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.

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.