Driving in Greece vs. Lithuania: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving norms between Greece and Lithuania. From speed limits to overtaking rules, each country presents unique practices impacting traveler safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure driving experience abroad, ensuring that you're well-prepared for the journey ahead.
Lanes
| Greece | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
greece:
Not allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory annual check |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
greece:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Greece | 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; police may set up roadblocks | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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 and potential penalties | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
greece:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, 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 | €350, points on license | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay