Driving in Costa Rica vs. Lithuania: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Costa Rica and Lithuania. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol enforcement and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that every traveler should know. Understanding these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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 | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
lithuania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
lithuania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
lithuania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
lithuania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Costa rica | 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
costa rica:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | 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
costa rica:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
costa rica:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
lithuania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes, by police |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police