Driving in Iceland vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Iceland and Lithuania, drivers will uncover significant contrasts in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals. While Iceland emphasizes cautious gravel road handling, Lithuania boasts higher speed allowances. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Iceland | 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 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
lithuania:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Indicates prepared to start |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
lithuania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection 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
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
iceland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | 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 fine | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
iceland:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
lithuania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | 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 | Mandatory; fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay