Question: Do I need an international driving licence to rent and drive in Lithuania with my Spanish licence?
Answer: No, you don’t. Since Lithuania is a member of the European Union, your valid Spanish driving licence is fully accepted to rent and drive a car. You don’t need to apply for an International Driving Permit.
Question: What documents will I be asked for when I pick up the car?
Answer: In general, you’ll need to present three original and valid documents: your Spanish driving licence, your National Identity Document (DNI) or passport, and a credit card in the name of the main driver.
Question: What is the minimum age to rent a car in Lithuania?
Answer: The minimum age is usually 21, although some companies may set it at 23 or even 25 for higher-end vehicles. It is also very common for drivers under 25 to pay an additional daily fee known as a “young driver fee”. A minimum driving licence holding period of 1 or 2 years is also often required.
Question: Is it mandatory to have a credit card for the rental? Can I use a debit card?
Answer: Yes, having a credit card in the main driver’s name is practically mandatory. Rental companies use it to block a deposit as a guarantee. The vast majority of companies do not accept debit, prepaid or virtual cards for this purpose, although they may accept them for the final payment of the rental.
Question: How far in advance should I book the car, especially in high season?
Answer: It’s recommended to book at least 1–2 months in advance if you’re travelling in high season (June to August) or on peak dates. This will ensure better vehicle availability, especially for cheaper categories or automatics, and better prices. For low season, 2–4 weeks is usually enough.
Question: Can I book an exact car model or only a category?
Answer: Normally you book a vehicle category (for example, “Economy”, “Compact”, “SUV”), not a specific model. The company guarantees a car with similar characteristics (size, number of doors, transmission type) within that category. The exact model depends on availability at the time of pick-up.
Question: What is the CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance that is included?
Answer: CDW is a partial collision damage waiver. It is not Full Insurance. It means that in case of an accident causing damage to the rental car, your financial liability is limited to a maximum amount, known as the “excess”. The amount of the excess varies according to the company and the vehicle category.
Question: What does the excess mean and how can I reduce or eliminate it?
Answer: The excess is the maximum amount you would have to pay out of your own pocket if the car is damaged. To reduce it or eliminate it completely, companies offer additional insurance, often called SCDW (Super CDW) or similar, which is taken out at pick-up for an extra daily cost.
Question: What is SCDW (Super Collision Damage Waiver) insurance? Is it worth it?
Answer: It is a complementary insurance that reduces the excess to a very low amount or even to zero. It is optional. Whether it’s worth it is a personal decision: it gives you total peace of mind in exchange for a higher daily cost. Without it, you risk paying the excess amount in case of an incident.
Question: What is the purpose of the deposit that is blocked on my card?
Answer: The deposit is a temporary hold (not a charge) that the company places on your credit card. It serves as a guarantee to cover possible costs not included in the rental price, such as the excess in case of damage, traffic fines, missing fuel on return or returning the car very dirty.
Question: How much is usually blocked on the credit card?
Answer: The amount varies widely, but generally corresponds to the excess plus the estimated cost of a tank of fuel and sometimes an extra amount for possible fines. It can range from €600 to more than €1,500, depending on the vehicle category and whether or not you purchase additional insurance to remove the excess.
Question: What other additional costs might appear that are not in the initial price?
Answer: The most common are: the young driver fee, the cost of adding an additional driver, GPS rental, baby or booster seats, excess reduction insurance, fees for picking up or returning the car outside office hours, and fees for cross-border travel.
Question: If I add an additional driver, what do I need and how much does it cost?
Answer: The additional driver must be present at pick-up and present their valid driving licence and ID/Passport. A daily charge applies for each extra driver added to the contract. It is crucial that only the people listed in the rental agreement drive the car; otherwise the insurance will not be valid.
Question: Do the basic insurances cover damage to tyres, windows or the underside of the car?
Answer: Generally, no. The basic insurance (CDW) usually explicitly excludes damage to tyres, rims, windows, mirrors, underside and roof of the vehicle, as well as loss of keys. To cover these items, you need to purchase extended coverage insurance offered separately.
Question: What is the most important step when inspecting the car before I leave?
Answer: The most crucial step is to compare the car’s actual condition with the damage report (a sheet with a diagram of the vehicle) provided by the company. Make sure that every defect, however small (scratches, dents, scuffs on the rims), is marked on that document. If you find anything that is not noted, insist that they add it before you sign and drive away.
Question: Should I take photos or videos of the car’s condition at pick-up?
Answer: Yes, it is highly recommended and your best defence. Record a detailed video walking around the car, showing all panels, bumpers, rims and the interior. Take close-up photos of all pre-existing damage. This will serve as evidence if they try to charge you for damage you did not cause.
Question: What key points should I check in the rental agreement before signing?
Answer: Carefully check: your personal details, the fuel policy (it should say “Full to Full”), the excess amount, which insurances you have accepted or declined, the total cost itemised, and any mileage or cross-border restrictions. Do not sign if something does not match what you booked or agreed.
Question: What safety equipment is mandatory to carry in the car in Lithuania?
Answer: The rental vehicle must be equipped with: a reflective vest (accessible from inside the car), two warning triangles and a fire extinguisher. Check that everything is in the car before you leave.
Question: What should I do if the car I’m given is not the category I booked?
Answer: If you are offered a car from a lower category, you have the right to refuse it and demand a car from the category you paid for or a higher one at no extra cost (an “upgrade”). If you are offered a free upgrade, it’s a good option. If they try to charge you for an upgrade you did not request, you can refuse it.
Question: How does the fuel policy work when I pick up the vehicle?
Answer: The most common and recommended policy is “Full to Full”. You pick up the car with a full tank and must return it full. Check on the gauge that the tank is really full before leaving the rental company’s car park.
Question: Is it true that you have to drive with dipped headlights on all day?
Answer: Yes, this is absolutely true and mandatory. In Lithuania you must drive with dipped headlights (or daytime running lights, DRL, if the car has them) on 24 hours a day, all year round, regardless of weather conditions. It is a common cause of fines for tourists who forget this.
Question: What are the general speed limits in Lithuania?
Answer: In cities or urban areas, the general limit is 50 km/h (or less if signposted). On secondary or rural roads, 90 km/h. On motorways (Autostrada), 130 km/h from 1 April to 31 October and 110 km/h from 1 November to 31 March. On expressways (Greitkelis), 110 km/h from 1 April to 31 October and 100 km/h from 1 November to 31 March.
Question: What is the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers in Lithuania?
Answer: For drivers with more than two years’ experience, the limit is 0.4 g/l in blood. For novice drivers (less than two years with a licence), taxi drivers and professional drivers, the tolerance is zero (0.0 g/l). The recommendation is always not to drink at all if you are going to drive.
Question: Is it allowed to use a mobile phone while driving?
Answer: No. It is strictly forbidden to hold and use a mobile phone by hand while driving. It may only be used via an approved hands-free system.
Question: Are child seats mandatory and up to what age or height?
Answer: Yes. Children under 135 cm in height must travel in an approved child restraint system (child seat or booster) suitable for their weight and height.
Question: How are fixed and mobile speed cameras signposted?
Answer: Lithuania has an extensive network of fixed speed cameras, many of which are not signposted in advance. In addition, mobile speed controls by the police are frequent, especially at city entrances and exits and on main roads. The safest option is always to respect the speed limits.
Question: When are winter tyres mandatory?
Answer: Winter tyres are mandatory for all vehicles from 10 November to 31 March. If you rent a car during this period, the company is obliged to provide it with winter tyres at no extra cost. It is forbidden to drive with studded tyres between 10 April and 31 October.
Question: What is the general condition of the roads in Lithuania outside the main cities?
Answer: The main roads connecting the most important cities (Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda) are of good quality. However, in rural areas and on secondary roads, the asphalt can be uneven, with potholes and poorer maintenance, especially after winter. It is advisable to drive carefully on these roads.
Question: How do parking meters work in Vilnius or Kaunas? Can I pay by card?
Answer: Regulated parking areas in the cities are divided by colours (blue, red, yellow, green), with blue being the most expensive and central. You can pay at parking meters (some accept coins, others card or mobile payment), via SMS or with specific mobile apps. It’s essential to always pay, as enforcement is very strict.
Question: Are there many roundabouts? Do they have any special priority rules?
Answer: Yes, roundabouts are very common. The priority rule is the standard European one: vehicles already circulating in the roundabout have priority over those entering. You must give way before joining.
Question: Should I watch out for wildlife on the roads?
Answer: Yes, especially at dawn, dusk and at night in rural and wooded areas. Moose, deer and wild boar are common. Pay attention to animal warning signs and reduce your speed in these areas.
Question: Are “2+1” lanes common on interurban roads? How do they work?
Answer: Yes, this type of road is quite common. It consists of alternating stretches with two lanes in one direction and one in the opposite, to allow safe overtaking. The overtaking sections are clearly signposted and separated by a physical barrier or double solid line.
Question: What are unleaded petrol and diesel called at Lithuanian petrol stations?
Answer: Unleaded 95 petrol is called “95 Benzinas”. Diesel is called “Dyzelinas”. Make sure you fill up with the correct fuel for your rental vehicle; you’ll find this information inside the fuel cap or in the rental agreement.
Question: What is the “Full to Full” fuel policy and why is it the most recommended?
Answer: It means you receive the car with a full tank and must return it full. It is the most transparent and economical policy, as you only pay for the fuel you actually use at the pump price of your choice. It’s best to avoid “Full to Empty” policies, where you pay the company for a full tank at a higher price and do not get a refund for unused fuel.
Question: Are there tolls on Lithuanian motorways for passenger cars?
Answer: No, driving on Lithuanian motorways and expressways is free for passenger cars (category M1 vehicles). Tolls only apply to commercial vehicles and buses.
Question: Do I have to pay any vignette or fee to drive a passenger car around the country?
Answer: No, there is no vignette system for passenger cars in Lithuania. The only notable exception is the access fee to the Curonian Spit (Neringa), a national park. It is paid at a checkpoint before entering the peninsula and the price varies depending on the season.
Question: Can I cross into Latvia and Estonia with my rental car? Do I need any special permit?
Answer: Generally yes, you are allowed to cross into the other Baltic countries (Latvia and Estonia) without problems, as they are part of the EU and the Schengen area. However, you must inform the rental company of your intention to do so when you pick up the car. Most of them apply a “cross-border fee” to extend insurance coverage to those countries.
Question: And to Poland? Are there any restrictions?
Answer: As with Latvia and Estonia, travelling to Poland is normally allowed. You must follow the same procedure: notify the rental company and pay the corresponding fee to ensure that your insurance and roadside assistance are valid there.
Question: Is it allowed to travel to non-EU countries such as Belarus or the Kaliningrad enclave (Russia)?
Answer: Absolutely not. Almost all car rental companies in Lithuania explicitly prohibit crossing into non-EU countries such as Belarus or Russia (including Kaliningrad) with their vehicles. Doing so would completely invalidate the insurance and lead to severe penalties.
Question: What should I do if I’m given the car without a full tank?
Answer: If your contract states a “Full to Full” policy but the gauge is not at maximum, don’t leave the office. Go straight back to the counter and ask the staff to note it in the contract or provide a solution, such as a different car with a full tank.
Question: What is the emergency number in Lithuania in case of an accident?
Answer: The universal emergency number in Lithuania, as in the entire European Union, is 112. From this number you can contact the police, ambulance and fire brigade.
Question: What steps should I follow if I have a traffic accident, even a minor one?
Answer: First, ensure the safety of everyone involved. Call 112 if there are injuries or a dispute over fault. If it’s a minor collision and there is agreement, fill in the European Accident Statement. Inform your rental company immediately using their roadside assistance number. Take photos of the damage and the scene.
Question: What if the car suffers a mechanical breakdown in the middle of the road?
Answer: Do not attempt to repair it yourself. Pull the vehicle over to a safe place, put on the reflective vest and place the warning triangles. Call the roadside assistance number provided by the rental company. They will arrange for a tow truck or mechanic.
Question: How should I act if I am stopped by the police at a roadside check?
Answer: Stay calm, stop the vehicle in a safe place and wait for the officer to approach. Have your driving licence, ID/Passport and the car documents (rental agreement) ready. Follow the officer’s instructions. These are routine checks for documents or alcohol tests.
Question: How are traffic fines paid? Can I pay them on the spot?
Answer: The police can issue a fine on the spot, but it is normally not paid directly to the officer. You will be given a slip with instructions to pay it at a bank or online. If you don’t pay it, the fine will be sent to the rental company.
Question: What happens if a speed camera fine arrives at my home after my trip?
Answer: Most likely it will not be sent to your home. The traffic authority will notify the fine to the rental company, which is the vehicle owner. The company will identify the driver, pay the fine and then charge the amount to your credit card, adding an “administrative handling fee” for the procedure, which can be €30–50.
Question: Does the rental insurance cover roadside assistance?
Answer: Most basic rentals include roadside assistance for mechanical breakdowns not caused by driver negligence. However, it may not cover incidents such as a dead battery from leaving the lights on, lost keys or misfuelling. Additional coverages are often offered for these situations.
Question: What should I check before returning the car to avoid extra charges?
Answer: Make sure of two key things: return the car with the fuel level agreed (normally full), refuelling at a petrol station close to the drop-off point, and hand it back reasonably clean inside and out, as excessive dirt can lead to a special cleaning charge.
Question: Is it important that someone from the company checks the car with me when I return it?
Answer: Yes, it is very important. Whenever possible (within office hours), insist that an employee inspects the car in your presence. If everything is fine, ask them to sign a document or the rental agreement itself confirming that the vehicle has been returned with “No new damages” or simply “OK”. This is your final proof.
Question: How long does it take to unblock the deposit on the credit card once the car is returned?
Answer: Once the company checks that the car has been returned correctly (no damage, correct fuel level, etc.), it orders the release of the hold. This process is not always instant. The funds may take between 7 and 15 business days to become available again on your card, depending on the processing times of the rental company and your bank.
