Driving in Guatemala vs. Lithuania: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Guatemala and Lithuania, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key variances include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, which can greatly impact your driving experience. Familiarizing yourself with these critical contrasts ensures a smoother and safer adventure abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | N/A | 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 with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
lithuania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
lithuania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
lithuania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
guatemala:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; 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
guatemala:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
guatemala:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
lithuania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay