KET Rules for Novice Drivers

Hello! If your car already displays, or will soon display, a maple leaf sign, slightly different rules apply to you than to experienced drivers. Here is everything you need to know about KET rules for the maple leaf sign and your status as a novice driver.

1. What is a novice driver?

A novice driver is a person who has acquired the right to drive a category A, A1, A2 or B vehicle but has less than 2 years of driving experience. You are issued a temporary driving licence, which is valid for two years.

2. The maple leaf sign: your identifying sign

The Road Traffic Rules require novice drivers to mark their car with a special sign:

Where should it be placed? On the left side of the rear of the car.
What does it look like? It is a white square with a green border and a green maple leaf in the centre.
Dimensions: Each side of the square must be between 100 mm and 150 mm long.

3. Speed limits (KET paragraph 131.2)

When travelling outside built-up areas, stricter speed limits apply to you than to other drivers. Even if road signs permit a higher speed, a novice driver may not exceed the following limits:

On motorways: no more than 100 km/h.
On expressways: no more than 90 km/h.
On roads with an asphalt or concrete surface: no more than 80 km/h.
On other roads (e.g. gravel roads): no more than 70 km/h.

4. Legislation you must comply with

Everything you do on the road is governed by two main documents:

The Road Traffic Rules (KET): They regulate traffic throughout Lithuania and are binding on all drivers.
The Law on Road Traffic Safety (SEAKĮ): This is the main law underpinning the KET and other legislation regulating traffic.

5. Replacing your driving licence and additional training

After two years, you will need to take an important step:

Replacement: at the end of the 2-year period, you can replace your licence with one valid for 10 years.
Condition: you can replace your licence without difficulty if you have not breached KET requirements or caused any road accidents.
Violations: If you commit a KET violation for which additional training is required, you must complete additional driver training courses within one year of the date of the violation. If you fail to do so, you will lose the right to drive and your licence will not be replaced with a permanent one.

6. Important reminders

Documents: When driving, you must always carry a valid driving licence (or an identity document if the licence was issued in Lithuania), the vehicle registration and roadworthiness inspection documents, and proof of insurance.
Safety: Always wear a seat belt and make sure your passengers do too.
Phone: Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited, except when hands-free equipment is used and the phone is in a dedicated holder.

7. What must I do if I am stopped by a police officer?

If you are stopped by an officer conducting a check:
1. Stop the vehicle immediately.
2. At the officer's request, present the required documents without leaving the vehicle.
3. You may leave the vehicle only with the officer's permission.
4. At the officer's request, submit to a test for alcohol or drug impairment.

What documents are required to replace a driving licence?
What is the maximum permitted speed when driving in a residential area?
When must a vehicle's hazard warning lights be switched on?

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