Driving in Lebanon vs. Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Lebanon or Lithuania, understanding the unique traffic regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Notably, Lebanon's relaxed lane markings and flexible speed limits contrast sharply with Lithuania's structured bus lanes and stringent alcohol regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these variations enhances your driving experience and promotes safety abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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 | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
lithuania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
lithuania:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, issued by police. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
lithuania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
lithuania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Indicates prepared to start |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; 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
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Documentation
| Lebanon | 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 required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lebanon:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | 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
lebanon:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lebanon:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
lithuania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay