Registered motor vehicles
The report primarily describes the data for 2025 but generally applies to previously published data as well.
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- PURPOSE
- TYPE OF ACTIVITY
- STATISTICAL PRESENTATION
- UNIT OF MEASURE
- REFERENCE PERIOD
- INSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
- CONFIDENTIALITY
- RELEASE POLICY
- FREQUENCT OF DISSEMINATION
- Accessibility and clarity
- QUALITY MANAGEMENT
- RELEVANCE
- ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
- TIMELINESS AND PUNCTUALITY
- COHERENCE AND COMPARABILITY
- COST AND BURDEN
- DATA REVISION
- STATISTICAL PROCESSING
- COMMENT
Contacts
Contact organisation: Statistics Estonia
Contact organisation unit: Economic and Environmental Statistics Department
Contact name: Karin Rosenberg
Contact person function: Agricultural and Technology Statistics Service Team, Leading Analyst
Contact mail address: Narva mnt 20, 51009 Tartu, Estonia
Contact email address: karin.rosenberg@stat.ee
Contact phone number: +372 5381 8553
Metadata last certified 19/05/2026
Metadata last update 19/05/2026
PURPOSE
The purpose of the statistical process is to provide information on vehicles registered in the traffic register which is used in the compilation of national accounts.
TYPE OF ACTIVITY
Administrative data process
STATISTICAL PRESENTATION
Data description
(S.3.1)
Vehicles registered in the traffic register (annual);
first registrations of vehicles and machinery by type (monthly data are released once a quarter).
first registrations of vehicles and machinery by type (monthly data are released once a quarter).
Classification system
(S.3.2)
No classifications are used in the collection, processing, or dissemination of data in this statistical process. Internal code lists of Statistics Estonia are used.
Sector coverage
(S.3.3)
Transportation
Statistical concepts and definitions
(S.3.4)
Buses – categories M2 and M3, M3G
Mobile machines – category LM
Mopeds – categories L2e and L1e, L6e
Motorcycles – categories L3e, L4e, L5e, L7e
Off-road vehicles (land rovers) – categories MS1, MS2
Passenger cars – this includes registered vehicles of categories M1 and M1G.
Tractor trailers – categories R1A, R1B, R2A, R2B, R3A, R3B, R4A, R4B, TH, TH1
Tractors (incl. tracked tractors) – categories C1, C4.2, RO, TR, TR1,TR2, T1, T1a, T1b, T2, T2a, T2b, T3, T3a, T3b, T4.2, T4.2a, T4.3, T4.3a, T5
Trailers – categories O1, O2, O3, O4
Trucks – categories N1, N1G, N2, N2G, N3, N3G
Private vehicles are determined based on the owner, not based on the authorised user (this concerns leased vehicles).
Mobile machines – category LM
Mopeds – categories L2e and L1e, L6e
Motorcycles – categories L3e, L4e, L5e, L7e
Off-road vehicles (land rovers) – categories MS1, MS2
Passenger cars – this includes registered vehicles of categories M1 and M1G.
Tractor trailers – categories R1A, R1B, R2A, R2B, R3A, R3B, R4A, R4B, TH, TH1
Tractors (incl. tracked tractors) – categories C1, C4.2, RO, TR, TR1,TR2, T1, T1a, T1b, T2, T2a, T2b, T3, T3a, T3b, T4.2, T4.2a, T4.3, T4.3a, T5
Trailers – categories O1, O2, O3, O4
Trucks – categories N1, N1G, N2, N2G, N3, N3G
Private vehicles are determined based on the owner, not based on the authorised user (this concerns leased vehicles).
Statistical unit
(S.3.5)
Vehicle
Statistical population
(S.3.6)
Vehicles registered in the traffic register
Reference area
(S.3.7)
Estonia as a whole
Time coverage
(S.3.8)
Vehicles and private vehicles (annual) 1990–…
First registrations of vehicles (monthly) 1993–…
Trams and trolleybuses (annual) 1980–2024
Aircraft (annual) 1994–2024
Watercraft (annual) 2000–2024
Railway vehicles (annual) 2009–2024
The data on vehicles registered in the traffic register refer to the previous year (for example, the data published in 2026 refer to 2025). The data on first registrations of vehicles are published once a quarter as monthly data for the three previous months.
First registrations of vehicles (monthly) 1993–…
Trams and trolleybuses (annual) 1980–2024
Aircraft (annual) 1994–2024
Watercraft (annual) 2000–2024
Railway vehicles (annual) 2009–2024
The data on vehicles registered in the traffic register refer to the previous year (for example, the data published in 2026 refer to 2025). The data on first registrations of vehicles are published once a quarter as monthly data for the three previous months.
Base period
(S.3.9)
Not applicable
UNIT OF MEASURE
Vehicles – number
REFERENCE PERIOD
Year (vehicles and private vehicles);
month (first registrations of vehicles).
month (first registrations of vehicles).
INSTITUTIONAL MANDATE
Legal acts and other agreements
(S.6.1)
Data sharing
(S.6.2)
None
CONFIDENTIALITY
Confidentiality - policy
(S.7.1)
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in §§ 32, 34, 35 and 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
Confidentiality - data treatment
(S.7.2)
The dissemination of data collected for the production of official statistics is based on the requirements laid down in §§ 34 and 35 of the Official Statistics Act.
The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found here: Data protection (Privacy policy).
The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found here: Data protection (Privacy policy).
RELEASE POLICY
Release calendar
(S.8.1)
Notifications about the dissemination of statistics are published in the release calendar, which is available on Statistics Estonia's website. Every year on 1 October, the release times of the statistical database, news releases, main indicators by IMF SDDS and publications for the following year are announced in the release calendar (in the case of publications – the release month).
Release calendar access
(S.8.2)
The release calendar is available to consumers on the website Calendar.
User access
(S.8.3)
All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar.
FREQUENCT OF DISSEMINATION
Year;
quarter (monthly data for the relevant quarter are published)
quarter (monthly data for the relevant quarter are published)
Accessibility and clarity
News release
(S.10.1)
News items can be viewed on the Statistics Estonia website in the News section.
No press releases are published based on this statistical process.
No press releases are published based on this statistical process.
Publications
(S.10.2)
Not published
On-line database
(S.10.3)
Data are published in the statistical database under the subject area Economy/Transport/ Registered motor vehicles in the following tables:
TS32: Vehicles and private vehicles, 31 December;
TS322: First registrations of vehicles (months).
The following data tables, previously published within this statistical process, have been discontinued:
TS328: Seagoing vessels registered in the Estonian Ship Registers, 31 December;
TS33: Motor driven machines and tractor trailers registered in the Estonian Traffic Register and first registration, 31 December;
TS350: Registered aircraft by type of aircraft;
and under the subject area Economy/Transport / General data of transport in the following table:
TS34: Trams and trolley buses, 31 December.
The following discontinued data tables are available under the subject area Discontinued datasets / Economy. Archive / Transport. Archive:
TS320: Vehicles by administrative unit, 31 December (1998–2015);
TS321: New vehicles registered for the first time (1995–2005);
TS326: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2003;
TS3261: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2004;
TS3262: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2005;
TS3263: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2006;
TS3264: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2007;
TS3265: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2008;
TS3266: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2009;
TS327: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2003;
TS3271: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2004;
TS3272: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2005;
TS3273: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2006;
TS3274: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2007;
TS3275: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2008;
TS3276: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2009;
TS330: Motor driven machines and tractor trailers registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by county, 31 December (2007–2015);
TS331: First registrations of motor driven machines and tractors (1990–2017);
TS35: Registered civil aircraft in aircraft register (1994–2021).
TS32: Vehicles and private vehicles, 31 December;
TS322: First registrations of vehicles (months).
The following data tables, previously published within this statistical process, have been discontinued:
TS328: Seagoing vessels registered in the Estonian Ship Registers, 31 December;
TS33: Motor driven machines and tractor trailers registered in the Estonian Traffic Register and first registration, 31 December;
TS350: Registered aircraft by type of aircraft;
and under the subject area Economy/Transport / General data of transport in the following table:
TS34: Trams and trolley buses, 31 December.
The following discontinued data tables are available under the subject area Discontinued datasets / Economy. Archive / Transport. Archive:
TS320: Vehicles by administrative unit, 31 December (1998–2015);
TS321: New vehicles registered for the first time (1995–2005);
TS326: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2003;
TS3261: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2004;
TS3262: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2005;
TS3263: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2006;
TS3264: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2007;
TS3265: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2008;
TS3266: Passenger cars registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2009;
TS327: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2003;
TS3271: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2004;
TS3272: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2005;
TS3273: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2006;
TS3274: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2007;
TS3275: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2008;
TS3276: Lorries registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by year of production and make, 2009;
TS330: Motor driven machines and tractor trailers registered in the Estonian Traffic Register by county, 31 December (2007–2015);
TS331: First registrations of motor driven machines and tractors (1990–2017);
TS35: Registered civil aircraft in aircraft register (1994–2021).
Data tables - consultations (S.10.3.1)
The database tables related to the statistical process were viewed 2,069 times in 2025.
This figure include views of updated data tables only; views of discontinued tables are not included. Each table view is counted as a separate viewing. This is based on database URLs indicating that data have been selected and a table has been generated.
This figure include views of updated data tables only; views of discontinued tables are not included. Each table view is counted as a separate viewing. This is based on database URLs indicating that data have been selected and a table has been generated.
Micro-data access
(S.10.4)
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in §§ 33, 34, 35, 36, 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes.
No confidentiality measures are applied, as the process is based on open data.
Access to microdata and anonymisation of microdata are regulated by Statistics Estonia’s procedure for dissemination of confidential data for scientific purposes.
No confidentiality measures are applied, as the process is based on open data.
Other
(S.10.5)
The data from this statistical process are used for annual and quarterly national accounts (21401 and 21405).
The data are transmitted to Eurostat once a year via the EDAMIS data transmission system using the Eurostat/OECD/UNECE Common Questionnaire.
The data are transmitted to Eurostat once a year via the EDAMIS data transmission system using the Eurostat/OECD/UNECE Common Questionnaire.
Metadata - consultations (S.10.5.1)
The metadata related to the statistical activity were viewed 311 times (1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025). This figure does not represent the number of viewers, as the metadata may have been viewed multiple times by a single user.
Documentation on methodology
(S.10.6)
Glossary for transport statistics (prepared by the Intersecretariat Working Group on Transport Statistics – Eurostat, ITF and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe).
Quality documentation
(S.10.7)
This statistical activity is guided by the European Statistics Code of Practice – revised edition, 2017.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Quality assurance
(S.11.1)
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the EFQM Excellence Model and the requirements in section 7 “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
Quality assessment
(S.11.2)
Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.
Quality is managed by the quality manager.
Quality is managed by the quality manager.
RELEVANCE
User needs
(S.12.1)
The statistical process is carried out to provide input for the compilation of national accounts by Statistics Estonia.
Statistics on the transport sector are also used by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).
Statistics on the transport sector are also used by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).
User satisfaction
(S.12.2)
Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys. Surveys conducted at least once a year target both the existing and potential consumers of statistics. All results are available on Statistics Estonia's website in the section User surveys. The survey referred to does not concern a specific statistical activity but is a general satisfaction survey.
Information on user satisfaction can also be obtained through user feedback, which has been mostly positive.
Information on user satisfaction can also be obtained through user feedback, which has been mostly positive.
Completeness
(S.12.3)
The data meet the requirements of national accounts.
Data completeness - rate for U (S.12.3.1a)
All required indicators have been collected and calculated (completeness 100%).
ACCURACY AND RELIABILITY
Overall accuracy
(S.13.1)
The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient accuracy.
Sampling error
(S.13.2)
Not applicable, since this is not a sample survey
Sampling error - indicators for U (S.13.2.1a)
Not applicable as this is not a sample survey.
Non-sampling error
(S.13.3)
Not applied
Coverage error (S.13.3.1)
There is no coverage error, as complete information on the population units is available in registers.
Over-coverage - rate (S.13.3.3.1)
Not applicable
Measurement error (S.13.3.2)
The data are validated by data holder.
Non response error (S.13.3.3)
Unit non-response - rate for U (S.13.3.3.1a)
Not applicable
Item non-response - rate for U (S.13.3.3.2a)
Not applicable
Processing error (S.13.3.4)
The data are validated by data holder.
Model assumption error (S.13.3.5)
Not applicable
TIMELINESS AND PUNCTUALITY
Timeliness
(S.14.1)
Annual data on road vehicles are published about 85 days after the end of the reference year (T + 85 days), and monthly data are published about 15 days after the end of the reference quarter (T + 15 days).
Time lag - first results for P (S.14.1.1)
The data are published once.
Time lag - final results for U (S.14.1.2a)
The data are published once.
Punctuality
(S.14.2)
The data have been published at the time announced in the release calendar.
Punctuality - delivery and publication for U (S.14.2.1a)
100% of the data has been published on time (as announced in the release calendar).
COHERENCE AND COMPARABILITY
Comparability - geographical
(S.15.1)
The data are internationally comparable and comply with the definitions of the Eurostat/OECD/UNECE Common Questionnaire on Transport.
Comparability - over time
(S.15.2)
Since 1994, statistics have excluded vehicles that have not had a technical inspection for several years. Vehicles that were not re-registered by 1 July 2001 were removed from the traffic register.
Length of comparable time series for U (S.15.2.1a)
There have been no breaks in the time series, which means that the number of observation periods in the last unbroken time series equals the number of all observation periods.
Coherence - cross domain
(S.15.3)
There is coherence with the data of the traffic register of the Transport Administration, since the published data are based on that register. Annual data on private vehicles are aggregated based on owner and, therefore, are not coherent with the Transport Administration's open data on private vehicles (these are aggregated based on authorised user).
Cross-domain coherence with other statistical processes cannot be assessed as there are no equivalent indicators published in other statistical processes.
Cross-domain coherence with other statistical processes cannot be assessed as there are no equivalent indicators published in other statistical processes.
Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics (S.15.3.1)
Not applicable
Coherence - National Accounts (S.15.3.2)
Vehicle statistics are also used in national accounts; the data of the statistical processes are coherent.
Coherence - internal
(S.15.4)
The outputs of the statistical activity are coherent.
COST AND BURDEN
Total time of filling in reports of the statistical activity: 107 hours (data for 2024).
Costs are not calculated separately for different statistical activities.
Costs are not calculated separately for different statistical activities.
DATA REVISION
Data revision - policy
(S.17.1)
The data revision policy and notification of corrections are described on Statistics Estonia's website in the section Principles of dissemination of official statistics.
Data revision - practice
(S.17.2)
The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.
Data revision - average size for U (S.17.2.1a)
Not applied
STATISTICAL PROCESSING
Source data
(S.18.1)
The statistical process is based on administrative data sources.
Traffic register data, including data on first registrations of vehicles, are received from the open data of the Transport Administration. This includes information about vehicle category, date of first registration, and type of owner. Vehicles with any status (incl. suspended) are included. Annual data on private vehicles (based on owner) are received from the Transport Administration in the form of a file.
Traffic register data, including data on first registrations of vehicles, are received from the open data of the Transport Administration. This includes information about vehicle category, date of first registration, and type of owner. Vehicles with any status (incl. suspended) are included. Annual data on private vehicles (based on owner) are received from the Transport Administration in the form of a file.
Frequency of data collection
(S.18.2)
Data on vehicles registered in the traffic register are collected once a year.
Data on first registrations of vehicles are obtained from open data once a quarter (and published as monthly data).
Data on first registrations of vehicles are obtained from open data once a quarter (and published as monthly data).
Data collection
(S.18.3)
Data on vehicles registered in the traffic register and on first registrations of vehicles are received from the open data of the Transport Administration. Annual data on private vehicles are received from the Transport Administration in the form of a file.
Data validation
(S.18.4)
The data are validated by the data holder. During data processing, the data are compared with those from the previous period.
Data compilation
(S.18.5)
The collected data are converted into statistical input. This includes calculation of additional indicators.
For road vehicle data, the following variables are calculated:
number of vehicles registered for the first time;
number of new vehicles registered for the first time;
type of registered motor vehicle;
type of owner of the registered vehicle;
total number of registered vehicles;
number of registered vehicles – up to 2 years old;
number of registered vehicles – 2 to 5 years old;
number of registered vehicles – 5 to 10 years old;
number of registered vehicles – over 10 years old.
For road vehicle data, the following variables are calculated:
number of vehicles registered for the first time;
number of new vehicles registered for the first time;
type of registered motor vehicle;
type of owner of the registered vehicle;
total number of registered vehicles;
number of registered vehicles – up to 2 years old;
number of registered vehicles – 2 to 5 years old;
number of registered vehicles – 5 to 10 years old;
number of registered vehicles – over 10 years old.
Imputation - rate (S.18.5.1)
Imputation rate shows the share of imputed values among all values.
The data values are not imputed.
The data values are not imputed.
Adjustment
(S.18.6)
Not applied
Seasonal adjustment (S.18.6.1)
Not applied
COMMENT
Starting from 2025, only the following is published under this process: the number of vehicles registered in the traffic register (annually), and the number of first registrations of vehicles (quarterly, published as monthly data).
In 2016, the statistical process 22028 "First registrations of vehicles" was merged with the statistical process 22027 "Registered motor vehicles"; the component of the former statistical process 22029 "General data on transport" covering the tramway and trolleybus transport entity was also merged with the process 22027. In 2017, the national component of the statistical process (statistics by counties) was reduced. From 2022, data on aircraft registrations were obtained from the Transport Administration in the form of a file; previously, the data had been submitted by the Estonian Civil Aviation Administration using the questionnaire "Aircraft register".
In 2016, the statistical process 22028 "First registrations of vehicles" was merged with the statistical process 22027 "Registered motor vehicles"; the component of the former statistical process 22029 "General data on transport" covering the tramway and trolleybus transport entity was also merged with the process 22027. In 2017, the national component of the statistical process (statistics by counties) was reduced. From 2022, data on aircraft registrations were obtained from the Transport Administration in the form of a file; previously, the data had been submitted by the Estonian Civil Aviation Administration using the questionnaire "Aircraft register".