Driving, Hitching and Cycling
Driving in Estonia is not too nerve-racking, with main roads in reasonable condition and traffic fairly light outside the towns. Reckless driving is the exception rather than the rule, but watch out for people showing off in BMWs and four-wheel drives. There's no motorway to speak of - just a few stretches of two-lane highway either side of Tallinn and another near Parnu. Petrol stations can be a little thin on the ground in rural areas, so carry a spare can. Speed limits are 50kph in built-up areas and 70 to 100kph on the open road. In towns it's forbidden to overtake stationary trams so that passengers can alight in safety, and it's against the law to drive after drinking any alcohol. Car rental costs around $60 per day from one of the international companies, as little as half that from some local firms - though it's worth double-checking both the contract and the quality of the car before going for one of the cheaper deals. If you are not the car owner a valid driving licence, plus another form of ID with a photo is required, along with proof of insurance, the car's registration and a letter of authorization. Hitching is fairly common between major centres and holiday destinations, and you'll be expected to make a contribution towards petrol. Estonia, being predominantly flat, is reasonable for cycling but there aren't any cycle lanes and you can't expect much consideration from other road users. In summer it's reasonable easy to find bike hire outlets in the major tourist centres on the islands, although they're pretty rare elsewhere.
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