Driving Differences: Lithuania vs. Spain Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads, Lithuania and Spain present intriguing contrasts in traffic regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, understanding these distinctions is crucial for safe travel. Whether you're planning a trip or relocating, being informed about these key driving nuances will enhance your experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three 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.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| 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. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lithuania:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| 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 heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
spain:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.