Driving in Canada vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Canada and Lithuania presents unique contrasts that are essential for travelers to understand. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed regulations, and alcohol limits, which significantly impact road safety. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will ensure a smoother and safer experience while navigating the roads of these two distinct countries.
Lanes
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green paint. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
lithuania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but varies by province | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
lithuania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
canada:
Not used in Canada
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
canada:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
canada:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
lithuania:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
canada:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | 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
canada:
0.08%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
canada:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
canada:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
canada:
911
lithuania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | 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 | Varies; often upwards of $200 | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes, by police |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
canada:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
lithuania:
Yes, by police