Driving Differences: Finland vs Lithuania Explained
When navigating the roads of Finland and Lithuania, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and cultural norms is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Familiarize yourself with these crucial contrasts to drive confidently and responsibly in both nations.
Lanes
| Finland | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
lithuania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
finland:
Yes
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Mandatory annual check |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
finland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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 | Results in license suspension | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
finland:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | 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 apply, typically €85 | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes, by police |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
lithuania:
Yes, by police