Driver's license

A comprehensive and user-friendly information about when and how to exchange a driver's license can be found here.  

Driver’s license, issued in an EU/EEA country

If your driver’s license is issued in the Member States of the European Union (EU) or in the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) has the same value as Lithuanian one. Thus, if hold a valid driving license issued in that country, you can also use it when driving in Lithuania. If you move from one EU/EEA state to another, there is usually no need to change your driver’s license. You can use your driver’s license until its expiration date.

You can have only one valid EU driver’s license. This license is issued by the institutions of the country where a person permanently resides. 

Driver’s licenses that have been issued in other EU/EEA member states are exchanged without any additional conditions or examinations. The foreign license can be exchanged the same way that one would change an expired or lost Lithuanian license – you just have to arrive to a “Regitra” office, have a valid health certificate, an ID and pay for a new license.

You can exchange a driver’s license for a Lithuanian one if:

  • your place of residence is declared in Lithuania and you live here for at least 185 days a year;
  • your place of residence is not declared in Lithuania or is declared for less than 185 days, but you are able to provide documental justification of having personal or work links to Lithuania (employment contract; a self-employment certificate; a business license; a extract from the Employment Service, a document from an educational establishment etc.)

Justification for links with Lithuania can be provided if:

  • you became employed in Lithuania (and have all the necessary documents: an employment contract, a self-employment certificate, a business license, a record from the Employment Services, etc.);
  • you are a foreign student and are studying in Lithuania for a period of 6 months or longer (documents for proof: document from the educational institution);

Driver’s license, issued in other countries

Driver’s licenses of third country (not belonging to the EU or the EEA) citizens are valid up until the person becomes a permanent resident of Lithuania, i.e. their place of residence is declared in Lithuania and they live here for at least 185 days every calendar year. In addition, foreign students that have lived in Lithuania for at least 6 months are also considered permanent residents of Lithuania. Upon becoming a permanent resident foreigner must exchange his non-EU driving license for Lithuanian one. Only foreigners who have a Lithuanian personal code (asmens kodas) and their residency declared in Lithuania, can exchange their non-EU driver’s license, i.e. national (D) visa holders cannot do it.

How to exchange a driver’s license issued in third countries?

To exchange your driver’s license that was issued in a non-EU, non-EEA country, you are required to pass driving theory and practical driving tests. Completing additional driving classes in Lithuanian driving schools is not required.

Whilst exchanging driver’s licenses issued in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Republic of Korea or Moldova, there is no need to pass the tests.

To exchange driver's license, applicants must provide the following documents:

  1. Personal ID document.
  2. Valid medical certificate confirming your state of health and psycho-physiological abilities are fit for driving a motor vehicle of a particular category. Contact your medical facility for the receipt of the aforementioned health certificate.
  3. First aid certificate (when driving tests are being taken).
  4. A driving license to be exchanged with its translation to Lithuanian.

IMPORTANT: if your previous driver's license was issued in the United States you have to provide an international driver's license.

A driver’s license issued in a third country is exchanged if it is submitted to “Regitra” before the end of its expiry date. If the license expired whilst its owner was residing in Lithuania, the driver’s license can be exchanged if it is submitted to “Regitra” in the span of a year starting from the first day of residence in the Republic of Lithuania.

More information on how to register for a theory and practice exam 

Read more about driving exams

Source: "Regitra" and the Lithuanian Road Police Service

Information updated: 2022-12-20
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