Driving in Lithuania vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Lithuania and Norway presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, which can significantly impact road safety. By comparing these countries, you'll gain essential insights to navigate their roads confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Norway |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
norway:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | High fines and possible license revocation |
| 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%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
norway:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
norway:
Yes, typically required