Driving in Lithuania vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Lithuania and the United Kingdom, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for safe travels. Key variations include driving on opposite sides, unique lane markings, and different speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will help ensure a smooth and secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separation of opposing traffic directions. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted with caution. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
lithuania:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
lithuania:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
lithuania:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
lithuania:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lithuania:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lithuania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lithuania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lithuania:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lithuania:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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. | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
lithuania:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lithuania:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
70 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lithuania:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
lithuania:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lithuania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
lithuania:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lithuania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lithuania:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates prepared to start | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Lithuanian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
lithuania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
lithuania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual check | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
lithuania:
Common practice
united kingdom:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lithuania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, particularly at night and weekends | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on BAC level | Substantial fines apply |
| 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%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lithuania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Enforcement: Imprisonment
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
united kingdom:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
lithuania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
lithuania:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lithuania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
lithuania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lithuania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lithuania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lithuania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, by police | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lithuania:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
lithuania:
Yes, by police
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay