Driving in Albania vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and Lithuania, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notable distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels, which significantly impact driving experiences in each country. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts can enhance your travel safety and ensure a smoother ride.
Lanes
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
lithuania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
lithuania:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
albania:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial; varies based on BAC level |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
albania:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay