Driving in Latvia vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the road rules in Latvia and Lithuania reveals notable contrasts that are crucial for ensuring a safe journey. From speed regulations to lane usage, drivers will find distinct guidelines. Understanding these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience and promote safe driving practices in both countries.
Lanes
| Latvia | 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 | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
latvia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
lithuania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | 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 fines | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
latvia:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay