Driving Differences: Lithuania vs. Sweden Explained
When navigating the roads of Lithuania and Sweden, drivers encounter notable distinctions that affect their travel experience. From lane markings and speed regulations to traffic signals and vehicle documentation, understanding these variations is crucial for safe and responsible motoring. Explore the key aspects that set these countries apart and enhance your international driving knowledge.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
lithuania:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 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. | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
lithuania:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
lithuania:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
lithuania:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
lithuania:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
lithuania:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
lithuania:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
lithuania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
lithuania:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
lithuania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
lithuania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
lithuania:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
lithuania:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
lithuania:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
lithuania:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
lithuania:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
lithuania:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
lithuania:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
lithuania:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
lithuania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
lithuania:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
lithuania:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
lithuania:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
lithuania:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
lithuania:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
lithuania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
lithuania:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
lithuania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
lithuania:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
lithuania:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.