Motor vehicles

The number of motor vehicles the Mission possesses for the official use may not exceed reasonable quantities depending on the size of the Mission. For the personal use it is considered acceptable to register one motor vehicle with state diplomatic number plates per person and two - when accompanied by a spouse or a partner who is not a Lithuanian citizen or permanent resident of Lithuania.

According to the Lithuanian Road Traffic Rules, motor vehicles should have their headlights switched on the whole year round when driving. The driver and all the passengers are obliged to wear safety belts and to have reflection vest or a reflection arm strips for the emergency cases. The driver is not allowed to hold a mobile telephone in hands while driving.

Tax Exemption

In Lithuania, motor vehicles are included into the list of goods and services, which do not qualify for the refund of VAT, except those specified by the Ministry. If so, the reimbursement of VAT for motor vehicles follows the same procedure as for other goods and services (Chapter 4 "Value Added Tax and Excise Duty Exemptions/Procedure of refund").

Tax exemption for motor vehicles applies to the Missions, accredited and residing in Lithuania, members of diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff, career consular officers and consular employees of the consular posts and their family members if they are not Lithuanian citizens or permanent residents of Lithuania, members of representations of international organizations, heads of European Union agencies, heads of their administrative divisions and their family members who enjoy diplomatic immunities and privileges under the international law or according to the agreement with the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter – privileged person).

The staff of the European Institute for Gender Equality is entitled to reimbursement of the VAT on the purchase of a motor car for personal use made during the first year of their employment, except those who have been living permanently in Lithuania during five last years.

Please note that in case an already exempted vehicle is sold or in any other way transferred into ownership within 3 years after its acquisition:

• to a non-privileged person - the amount of the refunded VAT must be paid into the accumulation account of the Vilnius County State Tax Inspectorate within 20 working days from its sale or any other transfer into ownership or reduced by deducting from the VAT and/or excise duty amount refundable for the next period to the Mission or a member of the Mission respectively. After 3 years the vehicle can be sold without paying taxes back.
• to another privileged person - it may be sold free of taxes. It is sufficient to change an ownership and reregister the vehicle.

Exemptions from Petrol Taxes

The VAT and excise duties paid on fuel shall be refunded only if special cards issued by the fuel vendor in the name of the Mission and a member of the Mission are used for effecting payment for the fuel.

Import as Part of Removal

Motor vehicles can be imported from a non-EU member state duty-free (without payment of Customs- duty and import-VAT) by a Mission for the official use and/or by the privileged person for a personal use if he/she changes the place of residence.

Vehicles brought into Lithuania as removal goods can be sold or otherwise transferred into the ownership duty-free after 3 years from the date of their import.

If a vehicle is sold or otherwise transferred into the ownership earlier than 3 years of its import:

• to another privileged person – no Customs-duty and import-VAT taxes are required to pay;
• to a non-privileged person – the seller is liable to pay the duties and taxes from which he/she has been exempted. The seller’s duty is to notify the local customs within 10 working days about the fact of changing the ownership. Customs calculates the taxes, which have to be paid according to the legislation of Lithuania.

Legislation:

1. 2007m. rugpjūčio 14 d. Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas Nr. 808 „Dėl importo ir kitų mokesčių lengvatų įvežtoms transporto priemonėms, skirtoms naudoti užsienio valstybių diplomatinėse atstovybėse, konsulinėse įstaigose ir tarptautinių organizacijų atstovybėse, taip pat Šiaurės Atlanto Sutarties Organizacijos valstybių kariuomenių vienetuose, taikymo tvarkos“.

Registration

The state diplomatic number plates are issued to motor vehicles owned /used by the Missions, accredited and residing in Lithuania, members of the Missions and their family members holding the ID cards of categories “A” and “B” and enjoying diplomatic immunities and privileges under the international law or according to the agreement with the Republic of Lithuania.

The national state number plates are issued to motor vehicles owned/used by the Missions, accredited and residing in Lithuania, members of Missions and their family members holding the ID cards of category “E” and enjoying restricted immunities and privileges under international law or according to the agreement with the Republic of Lithuania.

In order to register a vehicle, the following documents shall be submitted:

1. To the Protocol Department:

• a Verbal Note;
• an application form (Annex 9).

Please note that the documents shall be presented in the original forms. Scanned, faxed or e-mailed copies are not accepted.

If a vehicle is intended for the official use, an application form has to be signed and sealed by the Head of Mission or a person authorized by the Head of Mission. If a vehicle is intended for the private use – the form shall be signed by a member of the Mission, and the Head of Mission or a person authorized and sealed by the stamp of the Mission;

The application form, approved by the Protocol Department indicates the assigned diplomatic number. After receiving of application the diplomatic number plates should be ordered at any branch of the State Enterprise "Regitra" (hereinafter – SE "Regitra"). The number plates are distributed to branch of the SE "Regitra" within 5 working days. Once the permission by the Protocol Department has been received the Mission could also use the diplomatic number plates from the previously registered vehicles.

2. To the SE "Regitra":

• an application form, approved by the Protocol Department;
• a document of lawful ownership/use;
• a vehicle registration certificate (original);
• a third party motor insurance;
• an owner’s/holder’s identity document or authorization to register a vehicle and an identity document of an authorized person;
• a copy of the Customs clearance declaration, if a vehicle is brought from outside the EU.

Periodical technical inspection should be passed and be valid except for the category M1 vehicles brought from EEE countries up to three years old.

Exception: the Mission and a privileged person is exempted from meeting the EU standards when registering motor vehicles brought from outside the EU. However, if such a vehicle is sold to a non- privileged-person, for the registration the EU certificate of conformity is compulsory.

Please note that vehicle shall be physically presented at the registration for the identification inspection. The registration fee shall be paid at the cash desk of the SE "Regitra" in accordance with the price list for the registration of motor vehicles. Under the written request, the original vehicle registration documents and number plates could be stored separately to be returned to the Mission or a member of the Mission as the only proof of previous registration of the vehicle.

The vehicle may be registered at any branch of the SE "Regitra". The addresses of the SE "Regitra" branches in Vilnius area:

New state diplomatic number plates and vehicle registration certificate or the vehicle user’s certificate will be issued for a three-year period for the Mission and for the period corresponding to the validity of the ID card for a member of the Mission. After the date of expiry the vehicle should be re-registered, following the same procedure of registration. Please note that the accreditation card of a member of the Mission shall be renewed first.

The national state number plates are issued in general order for the unlimited period.

Loss of Diplomatic State Number Plates

If one (of two) diplomatic state number plate are lost or stolen, the Mission or a member of the Mission shall apply at any branch of the SE "Regitra". The new plate will be issued within 5 working days without need of changing the diplomatic number. 

Please note: (1) both plates will be replaced to a new ones if previous plates where issued until April 1, 2018; (2) a new plate instead of a lost or stolen could be issued only once. If the plate would be lost again the procedure mentioned below should be followed.

If the set diplomatic state number plates are lost or stolen, the Mission or a member of the Mission shall apply for the new ones by filling in two application forms: one - to remove the vehicle from the register (in order to withdraw the old number plates from the register), the other - to register it in order to receive the new number plates. New diplomatic state number plates as well as new vehicle registration documents will be issued.

In case the vehicle registration documents are lost, the Mission or a member of the Mission should address directly to the SE "Regitra".

If the diplomatic state number plate or plates are damaged, the Mission or a member of the Mission may apply at any branch of the SE "Regitra" for renewing.  The new plate or plates will be issued within 5 working days without need of changing the diplomatic number.

Removal from the Register

In order to remove a vehicle from the register, the following documents shall be submitted:

1. To the Protocol Department:

• a Verbal Note;
• an application form (Annex 9), filled in as indicated in the above chapter "Registration".

2. To the SE "Regitra":

• an application form, approved by the Protocol Department;
• an owner’s/user’s identity document or authorization to register a vehicle and an identity document of an authorized person;
• a vehicle registration certificate;
• the used state diplomatic number plates.

Note: The vehicle registration documents and the diplomatic and national state number plates are the property of the Lithuanian Government and should be returned to the SE "Regitra" when the vehicle is removed from the register. The diplomatic number plates could be left to be stored at the at any branch of the SE "Regitra" and used repeatedly. The storage period is up to one year and could be prolonged afterwards without limiting the number of storage times. The Ministry emphasizes the fact that failure to observe the correct procedure can cause delays in issuing the next vehicle registration certificate and diplomatic or national state number state plates to the Mission or a member of the Mission.  

Exceptions: Upon the request, the SE "Regitra" shall issue temporary state number plates and/or a certificate confirming previous registration of the vehicle with the Mission or a member of the Mission.

Legislation:

1. 2013 m. birželio 12 d. Lietuvos Respublikos užsienio reikalų ministro ir Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministro įsakymas Nr. V-157/1V-506 “Dėl Lietuvos Respublikos užsienio reikalų ministro ir Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministro 2004 m. rugsėjo 29 d. įsakymo Nr. V-119/1V-317 „Dėl užsienio valstybių diplomatinių atstovybių, konsulinių įstaigų ir tarptautinių organizacijų atstovybių transporto priemonių registravimo tvarkos aprašo patvirtinimo" pakeitimo;
2. Motorinių transporto priemonių ir jų priekabų registravimo taisyklės, patvirtintos Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministro 2001 m. gegužės 25 d. įsakymu Nr. 260;
3. Lietuvos Respublikos susisiekimo ministro 2009 m. balandžio 28 d. įsakymas Nr. 3-169 “Dėl motorinių transporto priemonių, priekabų ir šių transporto priemonių sudedamųjų dalių atitikties įvertinimo atlikimo taisyklių patvirtinimo”.

Driving Licence

For EU-Member Missions:

A member of the Mission of an EU-member state may drive in Lithuania with a valid national driving license. It is not necessary to exchange it for a Lithuanian one, as long as the national license is valid.

For Non-EU Member Missions:

A member of the Mission may drive in Lithuania with a valid national driving license. If the national driving license does not meet the requirements of the conventions on road traffic, the  international driving permit is required in addition.

More detailed information on driving licenses is available on the internet site of the SE "Regitra".

Legislation:

1. Lietuvos Respublikos vidaus reikalų ministro 2008 m. rugsėjo 10 d. įsakymas 1V-328 “Dėl motorinių transporto priemonių vairuotojų pažymėjimų išdavimo taisyklių patvirtinimo”

Third Party Motor Insurance

The third-party motor insurance is mandatory. It is required to obtain a valid third-party liability insurance before a vehicle’s registration. The third-party liability insurance may be purchased from one of the Lithuanian insurance companies engaged in the traffic insurance. A risk free insurance (CASCO) is also recommended.

Legislation:

1. Lietuvos Respublikos transporto priemonių valdytojų civilinės atsakomybės privalomojo draudimo įstatymo pakeitimo įstatymas.

Vehicle Inspection

According to the traffic code, all vehicles have to undergo periodical technical inspection. The first obligatory inspection shall take place 3 years after a vehicle’s production date and shall be repeated every second year. The certificate of technical inspection is issued to the vehicle’s owner. A periodical technical inspection sticker is no longer issued. Information on the location of inspection stations, documents required for the inspection, the price list, etc. is available on the website of the Association of companies for road vehicle periodical technical inspection "Transeksta", at www.vta.lt

Legislation:

1. Motorinių transporto priemonių ir jų priekabų privalomosios techninės apžiūros atlikimo tvarkos aprašas.

Procedure in the Event of a Traffic Accident

In case of a traffic accident, a privileged person shall not leave the site of the accident until the necessary formalities with the other part of the accident are settled.

Where a traffic accident has caused death or serious injury, no traces of the accident shall be removed or altered. It is strongly recommended to wait until the arrival of the police.

Legislation:

1. Motorinių transporto priemonių ir jų priekabų privalomosios techninės apžiūros atlikimo tvarkos aprašas

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication is considered as a serious crime in Lithuania even if no accident occurs.

The police have the right to flag down a privileged person and ask for his/her personal particulars: an ID card, a driver’s licence, a vehicle registration documents and vehicle insurance policy. After examination by the police, the documents shall be returned to the owner.

The police decide on the basis of their observations whether there are reasonable grounds for assuming that a privileged person is driving intoxicated. The police is authorised to use a breathalyser test and a privileged person is requested to cooperate. To ensure that a privileged person who drives intoxicated does not endanger himself or others, the police may impose a temporary driving ban and help the driver to organise an alternative transport. However, the ID card, the passport or the driver licence of a privileged person who has inviolability may not be taken away. The police will always notify the Protocol Department about the incident, which will inform the Head of Mission concerned.

If the same person is reported as driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication more than once or has caused serious injuries, the sending state may be requested to recall the person. If necessary, the Lithuanian authorities may request to waive the immunity of a privileged person so that criminal proceedings might be initiated.

Parking

Parking Lots for the Vehicles of the Mission

Requests in the form of a Verbal Note concerning the Mission’s intention to reserve a parking place next to the Mission or Residence should be forwarded to the Protocol Department of the Ministry, which will inform the municipal authorities. The municipal authorities have full autonomy as regards their policy on reserved parking lots. The Municipality of Vilnius is prepared, where necessary, to mark as reserved five parking lots on the public road outside the main office (Chancery) of a Mission and in front of the official residence of the Head of Mission. These parking lots may be used only by the vehicles belonging to the Mission and members of the Mission, not by visitors. The traffic police would treat visitors’ cars as violating the parking rules and fines would be imposed.

Parking near the Ministry

A vehicle with the diplomatic state number plates has the right for temporary parking in front of the central entrance of the Ministry.

Parking and Penalty for Parking Violations

Special P-zone signs indicate parking zones. The Pay & Park ticket machines are in operation in many sectors of Vilnius. In these areas the payment for parking is compulsory.

The vehicles with the diplomatic state number plates are subject to parking laws and regulations. No exemptions from charges for parking are possible since the charges are levied by the Municipality for specific services rendered. Members of the Missions are therefore expected to meet their obligations voluntarily, despite their privileges and immunities.