Driving in Lithuania vs Portugal: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Lithuania and Portugal, travelers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, which influence overall road safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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. | Possible |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
portugal:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Varies; can be substantial |
| 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%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
portugal:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
portugal:
Possible