Driving Differences: Lithuania vs. Switzerland Explained
When exploring the roadways of Lithuania and Switzerland, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and cultural nuances that shape their driving experiences. Notable contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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: 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
switzerland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| 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 and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
switzerland:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
lithuania:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| 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
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay