Traffic Fines and the Penalty Points System in Estonia in 2026: What Drivers Need to Know

Traffic fines in Estonia 2026 can range from a few dozen euros to 2400 euros, and in the event of a more serious offence, the driver may lose the right to drive. At the same time, the question of whether Estonia has a penalty points system for traffic offences continues to cause confusion.

How much is a speed camera fine? Is the fine the same for every speeding offence? Is a camera fine entered in the criminal records database? When can you lose your driving licence, and what does an offence mean for the holder of a provisional driving licence?

Below is a practical overview of the rules in force in 2026.

Is a penalty points system for traffic violations in effect in Estonia in 2026?

No. As of August 2026, Estonia does not have aclassic demerit points system, where, for example, points are added to a driver for speeding, running a red light or using a phone, and the driving licence is taken away upon reaching a certain number of points.

Therefore, in Estonia it is not correct to say that a driver receives, for example, “3 points” or “5 points” for a violation.

However, this does not mean that repeated or serious violations have no consequences. Depending on the violation, the current system allows a fine or detention to be imposed, or driving privileges to be revoked, for just one violation.

Transport Administration's road safety programme 2026–2035 focuses, among other things, on identifying habitual traffic offenders and applying appropriate corrective measures to them.

👉 Transpordiamet – road safety programme 2026–2035

How much is a fine unit in Estonia 2026?

According to § 47 of the Penal Code, one fine unit is 8 euros. This amount applies from 1 January 2025.

Important: if the law states “up to 100 fine units”, this means the maximum possible fine, not an amount automatically imposed on every offender.

👉 Penal Code – Riigi Teataja

Speeding fines in Estonia 2026

The possible penalties for speeding by a motor vehicle driver are set out in § 227 of the Traffic Act.

Speeding by up to 20 km/h

Exceeding the maximum permitted speed by up to 20 km/h may be punishable by a fine of up to 30 fine units.

In 2026, this means a maximum of:

30 × 8 € = 240 €.

This does not mean that, for example, speeding by 5 or 10 km/h automatically results in a fine of 240 euros in standard misdemeanor proceedings.

Exceeding the speed limit by 21–40 km/h

If the speed limit is exceeded by 21–40 km/h, the penalty may be:

• a fine of up to 100 fine units, i.e. 800 €; or
• withdrawal of the right to drive for up to six months.

Speeding by 41–60 km/h

If the speed limit is exceeded by 41–60 km/h, the penalty may be:

• a fine of up to 200 fine units, i.e. 1600 €;
• detention; or
• revocation of the right to drive for up to 12 months.

Exceeding the speed limit by more than 60 km/h

If the speed limit is exceeded by more than 60 km/h, the penalty may be:

• a fine of up to 300 fine units, i.e. 2400 €;
• detention; or
• suspension of the right to drive for up to 24 months.

👉 Traffic Act – Riigi Teataja

Speed camera fine 2026: 1 km/h = 7 euros

In the case of speeding detected by an automatic speed camera, it is important to distinguish it from standard misdemeanour proceedings.

Transpordiamet confirms the rule applicable in 2026:

For example:

This is precisely where older online sources often contained outdated information. As of 2026, the maximum warning fine is no longer 300 euros, but 420 euros.

👉 Transport Administration – speed cameras, fine rates and measurement methodology

What does “speeding taken into account” mean?

The number measured by the camera and the speeding used to calculate the fine are not necessarily the same.

Transpordiamet explains that speed measurement involves measurement uncertainty and that this is taken into account when processing the measurement result.

A speed camera also has an enforcement threshold, meaning the speed at which a case begins to be processed. According to information from Transpordiamet for 2026, cases recorded by stationary cameras begin to be processed, for example:

• in a 50 km/h zone, from the enforceable speed of 53 km/h;
• in a 70 km/h zone, from 73 km/h;
• in a 90 km/h zone, from 93 km/h;
• in a 100 km/h zone, from 103 km/h;
• in a 110 km/h zone from 113 km/h.

Therefore, it is more accurate to say that 7 euros is multiplied by the speeding taken into account in the proceedings, rather than simply the number shown on the car’s speedometer or in the camera’s initial measurement.

👉 See the official explanation from Transpordiamet

Does a speed camera fine go on the criminal record?

A warning fine imposed in written warning proceedings is not entered in the criminal records database.

Under § 54¹ of the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, a warning fine imposed on the person responsible for a motor vehicle is not a punishment applicable for an offence.

This means that the warning fine:

• is not entered in the criminal records database;
• is not treated as a standard misdemeanour penalty;
• cannot be used to determine repeat offending in the same way as a penalty entered in the criminal records database.

The maximum warning fine is 420 euros.

👉 Väärteomenetluse seadustik – Riigi Teataja

What is a warning fine?

In Estonia, certain offences are also handled using short proceedings, during which an impact fine may be imposed.

There is also an important difference between a cautionary fine and a standard misdemeanour penalty.

According to the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure:

• an administrative fine is not a punishment imposed for an offence;
• it is not entered in the criminal records database;
• it may not be relied upon when determining whether an offense is repeated.

In 2026, the general maximum amount of an impact fine is 160 euros, but the amount of the impact fine for a specific violation is stipulated in the relevant law.

👉 Väärteomenetluse seadustik – Riigi Teataja

Alcohol and driving: what penalties may follow?

Section 224 of the Traffic Act concerns driving a motor vehicle while exceeding the permitted alcohol limit.

Vere alkoholisisaldus 0,20–0,49 mg/g

If the driver's ühes grammis veres on alkoholisisaldus 0,20–0,49 mg või väljahingatavas õhus 0,10–0,24 mg/l, the penalty may be:

• a fine of up to 100 fine units, i.e. 800 €; or
• withdrawal of the right to drive for up to six months.

Vere alkoholisisaldus 0,50–1,49 mg/g

Kui vere alkoholisisaldus on 0,50–1,49 mg/g või väljahingatavas õhus 0,25–0,74 mg/l, the penalty may be:

• a fine of up to 300 fine units, i.e. 2400 €;
• detention; or
• revocation of the right to drive for up to 12 months.

If the driver's condition already qualifies as intoxication, this may constitute a criminal offence, and liability may arise under § 424 of the Penal Code.

👉 Traffic Act – Riigi Teataja
👉 Penal Code – Riigi Teataja

Can you lose your driving licence without a points system?

Yes. In Estonia, a driver does not have to accumulate a specific number of points to lose their driving privileges.

For example, the Traffic Act allows driving privileges to be revoked for speeding after just one violation:

• 21–40 km/h over the speed limit – for up to 6 months;
• 41–60 km/h over the speed limit – for up to 12 months;
• more than 60 km/h – for up to 24 months.

Withdrawal of the right to drive may also be possible for other more serious traffic violations.

What happens after a longer suspension of driving privileges?

Getting your driving licence back does not always simply mean that the penalty period has ended.

According to Transpordiamet:

• if driving privileges have been revoked as a penalty for at least six months but less than 12 months, the traffic theory test must be passed to have the driving privileges restored;
• if the right to drive has been withdrawn for 12 months or longer, both the driving theory test and the driving test must be passed successfully.

👉 Transport Administration – driving licence categories and requirements

Why must the holder of an initial driving licence be especially careful?

In the case of a provisional driving licence, the consequences of a traffic violation may also affect the exchange of the licence.

According to information from Transpordiamet, the holder of a provisional driving licence who, at the time of exchanging the licence, has valid traffic-related penalties that took effect within the last 12 months must pass the traffic theory test to exchange the driving licence.

In addition, restrictions apply when applying for an initial driving licence in the case of certain more serious and repeated traffic offences.

👉 Transpordiamet – initial driving licence

How can you check your traffic penalties?

Penalties entered in the criminal records database can be checked through the e-File system.

According to Registrite ja Infosüsteemide Keskus, a person can make an inquiry about themselves in the punishment register by logging into the e-file system. Accessing one's own data in the e-file system is free of charge.

However, it is worth remembering that not all traffic-related financial claims appear in the criminal records database. For example, a warning fine imposed in written warning proceedings and an impact fine imposed in expedited proceedings are not entered there.

👉 Registrite ja Infosüsteemide Keskus – criminal records database

Can a speed camera fine be contested?

Yes. If a violation is recorded by an automatic speed camera, a fine notice is sent to the person responsible for the motor vehicle.

According to Transpordiamet, a payment order and a pre-filled dispute form are attached to the fine notice.

Under the Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, the recipient of a fine notice has the right to contest it within 30 days of receiving it.

The person responsible for the vehicle may also request a copy of the photograph used to identify the violation. Requesting the photograph does not in itself suspend the deadline for paying the fine.

👉 Transpordiamet – fine rates and notice of fine
👉 Code of Misdemeanour Procedure – Riigi Teataja

Traffic fines in Estonia 2026: the key points in brief

Summary

In 2026, Estonia does not have a traditional penalty points system for traffic violations, but this does not mean that the consequences of serious or repeated violations are minor.

One penalty unit is 8 euros and in the case of more serious speeding, the maximum fine may amount to 2400 euros. A driver may also lose the right to drive for a single serious offence.

However, another important rule applies to automatic speed cameras: each km/h over the limit taken into account in the proceedings results in a warning fine of 7 euros, and the maximum warning fine is 420 euros.

If you have received a fine notice or a misdemeanour decision, you should always check which type of proceedings is involved. A warning fine, an impact fine and a fine imposed in misdemeanour proceedings are not legally the same thing.

Official sources

• Riigi Teataja – Liiklusseadus
• Riigi Teataja – Penal Code
• Riigi Teataja – Code of Misdemeanor Procedure
• Transpordiamet – speed cameras
• Transpordiamet – road safety programme 2026–2035
• Transpordiamet – initial driving licence
• Transpordiamet – categories and conditions of the right to drive
• Registrite ja Infosüsteemide Keskus – punishment register

The article is for informational purposes and does not replace legal advice. In the case of a specific offence, the legislation in force at the time of the offence and the decision made by the authority conducting the proceedings should be followed.