Driving in Lithuania vs. Russia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Lithuania and Russia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal interpretations. Understanding these essential contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad, allowing travelers to adapt effectively to each country's unique driving landscape.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 | 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
russia:
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.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
russia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 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 also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lithuania:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Documentation
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
russia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common, especially in cities |
| 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%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
russia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
russia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; substantial fines |
| 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 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay