Driving in Lithuania vs. Turkey: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Lithuania and Turkey, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From lane markings and speed limitations to traffic signals and alcohol regulations, both nations present unique driving environments. Familiarizing yourself with these key contrasts can significantly enhance road safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
turkey:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lithuania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Varies by severity; 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 and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
lithuania:
0.04%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
turkey:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges