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.

latvialithuania

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in latvia is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in latvia is 71

1.692 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for latvia is 1.692 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	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

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	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:

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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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