Driving in Lithuania vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Lithuania and the Netherlands, notable disparities emerge that are essential for safe travel. From lane markings to speed limits, each country exhibits unique rules, such as the presence of variable speed limits in the Netherlands but not in Lithuania. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure and smooth driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, issued by police. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
netherlands:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
netherlands:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required