Germany vs Lithuania: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the contrasting road regulations of Germany and Lithuania, you'll uncover notable distinctions in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol policies. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad. Whether you're navigating bus lanes or adhering to speed restrictions, being informed can greatly enhance your travel experience.
Lanes
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 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 | Common | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Germany | 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 for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
germany:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | 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
germany:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
germany:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | 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 | €30 to €60 | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay