What Documents Are Required to Obtain a Driver’s License in Estonia?

1. Introduction

Obtaining a driver’s license in Estonia is a step-by-step process that involves several stages: theoretical and practical training, passing exams, and submitting the necessary documents. Providing the correct documents on time is crucial for ensuring a smooth application process and avoiding delays. In this article, we will review the documents required for successfully obtaining a driver’s license.

If you’d like an overview of all the stages needed to obtain a driver’s license in Estonia, please also read our article “How to Get a Driver’s License? The Stages of Obtaining a License in Estonia,” which provides a detailed guide to the entire process.

2. First Aid Course Certificate

Completing a first aid course is one of the mandatory steps for obtaining a driver’s license in Estonia. This course teaches the essential first aid skills every driver should know to respond appropriately in the event of a traffic accident or other emergency.

During the course, you will learn how to assist accident victims, follow the necessary procedures at the scene, and ensure the safety of yourself and other road users. After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate, which must be submitted along with your other documents when applying for a driver’s license.

At Skyautokool, you can complete the first aid course conveniently and flexibly, either in class or online. Make sure you have your certificate before starting your driver’s license application process.

3. Night Driving Course Certificate

The night driving course is a mandatory part of the process of obtaining a driver’s license in Estonia. Given the extended periods of darkness experienced throughout the year, it is important that drivers are capable of navigating safely and confidently under low-visibility conditions.

In this course, you will acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills for driving at night or in poor visibility conditions. You will learn how to effectively use your headlights’ low and high beams, as well as how to identify potential road hazards. The course also covers topics such as speed regulation in low light and on slippery roads to ensure maximum safety for both the driver and other road users.

Upon completing the course, you will receive a certificate, which is required when applying for a driver’s license. Without this certificate, the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license cannot be met.

At Skyautokool, you can complete this course in real driving conditions or on a simulator, depending on the season and your preference. This means that in winter you can practice driving in actual darkness, while in summer—or if you prefer to train in a safer environment initially—you can use a modern driving simulator. This ensures that every student gains the necessary experience and confidence for driving at night, regardless of external conditions.

4. Medical Certificate

The medical certificate is a document that must be submitted as part of your driver’s license application. This document confirms that you are physically fit to operate a vehicle and that you do not have any health issues that could pose a risk to yourself or other road users.

A medical examination is conducted by your family doctor or another healthcare professional, who assesses your overall health, including vision, hearing, and reaction speed. The doctor also checks for any diseases or conditions that could affect road safety. If all criteria are met, you will receive a medical certificate, which is required for your driver’s license application.

The certificate must be valid and is submitted along with your other documents to Transpordiamet. Without a valid medical certificate, you cannot apply for a driver’s license. Therefore, it is advisable to schedule your medical examination in advance to ensure a smooth application process.

5. Certificate of Completion from Driving School

The certificate of completion from driving school is an official document that confirms you have completed all the necessary theoretical and practical training for learning to drive. This certificate is issued once you have successfully attended the required lessons and passed the internal exams at your driving school.

The certificate includes information about your training and exams and is required when submitting your driver’s license application to Transpordiamet. Without this certificate, you cannot register for the official theoretical and practical exams in the state system.

At Skyautokool, we ensure that once you complete all the courses successfully, you will quickly and conveniently receive your certificate of completion, enabling you to move on to the next stage of obtaining your driver’s license by registering for the Transpordiamet exams.

6. Certificates for Passing the Theoretical and Practical Exams

The theoretical and practical exams conducted at the driving school qualify you to register for the state exams at Transpordiamet. Successfully passing the exams at your driving school gives you the right to apply for the official Transpordiamet exams, although this does not mean that you have obtained your driver’s license yet. Only after passing the official state theoretical and practical exams can you apply for a temporary driver’s license.

• The certificate for passing the theoretical exam at the driving school confirms that you have acquired the necessary theoretical knowledge and are ready to take the official theoretical exam at Transpordiamet.
• The certificate for passing the practical exam at the driving school shows that you have completed your practical driving training and are ready to take the official practical exam.

After passing the exams at your driving school, the next step is to register for the official theoretical and practical exams at Transpordiamet. A driver’s license is issued only after successfully passing these exams. You can read more about how the exam system works here.

7. Registering for the Exam and Obtaining a Driver’s License

The application process for a driver’s license is quick and simple if you have completed all the previous steps described in this article. You will also need a digital photograph that meets the requirements for all government documents. The application can be submitted in just 5 minutes via the eesti.ee portal.

• The registration fee for the theoretical exam is €30.
• The registration fee for the practical exam is €50.

The Theoretical Exam

The theoretical exam is usually quite straightforward for those who have diligently studied at driving school and absorbed all the theoretical lessons. Registration for the theoretical exam is fast, and you can often register for the exam as early as the next business day. Of course, this depends on the number of registrants and the time of year, but overall, you can take the exam fairly soon after registering.

The Practical Exam

The practical exam is more challenging. Registration may take longer, especially in larger cities like Tallinn. After passing the theoretical exam, you may encounter long waiting periods, particularly during peak seasons when it can take up to a month or more to secure an exam slot. In smaller towns and regions, the situation is usually better—registration for the exam can often be completed within a week. However, without adequate preparation, driving on a new route can be difficult even if the traffic is lighter and the city is smaller.

If you want to take your practical exam as soon as possible, we recommend actively monitoring the registration portal. Often, slots become available if some students are unable to attend the exam. If you’re quick enough, you can register for an open slot and reduce your waiting time to just a few days. However, keep in mind that many people are trying to register, and slots fill up very quickly.

Examiners and Their Role in the Practical Exam

The examiner plays an important role in the practical exam, as statistics show that different examiners have varying success rates among their students. Some examiners have almost two-thirds of their students failing the exam, while others see the majority of their students pass.

According to data from Estonia’s open data portal covering the period since 2021, the luck of being assigned to a particular examiner can be decisive. The most successful examiner has an 85% pass rate, while the examiner with the lowest pass rate sees only about 35% of students succeed.

While it may seem that the examiner plays a crucial role, the most important factors are thorough preparation and confidence in your abilities. These significantly increase your chances of passing the exam successfully, regardless of which examiner you get.

8. Conclusion and Next Steps