Exchanging a non-EU driving licence in Lithuania: what applies to your country
In short: a licence issued outside the EU/EEA is exchanged at Regitra, and as a general rule you must pass the theory and practical exams. Exceptions exist for countries with bilateral agreements — Ukraine (A, B), South Korea (B, BE), the UAE and Switzerland exchange without exams. UK and US licences require both exams. Only a valid licence from a country party to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna convention can be exchanged, and you must be a Lithuanian resident (185+ days a year or proven ties).
Who can exchange at all
- You are a resident of Lithuania — your place of residence is declared here for at least 185 days per calendar year, or you can prove personal/work ties (an employment contract, children at school here).
- Your licence is valid. If it expired while you were already living in Lithuania, it can still be exchanged within 1 year of your arrival.
- The issuing country is a party to the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna road traffic convention. Since a rule change on 19 May 2025 Regitra checks this strictly — licences from countries outside both conventions cannot be exchanged at all, and the licence itself must match the convention its country actually signed.
Exam or no exam: the country table
| Licence issued in | Exams at Regitra? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine | ❌ No exams | Bilateral agreement — categories A and B exchanged directly |
| South Korea | ❌ No exams | Agreement covers categories B and BE |
| United Arab Emirates | ❌ No exams | Covers A1, A2, A, B and D1 |
| Switzerland | ❌ No exams | Exchanged without testing |
| Moldova | Partly | Bilateral agreement in force — check your categories with Regitra |
| United Kingdom | ✅ Theory + practical | No exam-free agreement after Brexit |
| United States | ✅ Theory + practical | Geneva-convention licence — exchangeable, but both exams required |
| Other convention countries | ✅ Theory + practical | The default rule for all third countries |
Documents and the process
- Medical certificate from a Lithuanian health facility (data reaches Regitra automatically).
- First-aid course certificate — needed only if you are taking the exams.
- Your national licence + an official translation into Lithuanian (unless it already meets convention format). If the licence format does not match the conventions, an international driving permit is also required.
- Book at vp.regitra.lt or visit a branch. The theory exam is available in English (one of 7 exam languages), and at the practical exam you may use a translator.
- Exam fees are the standard ones: theory €10, practical €41.26; the new licence card costs €22.88.
Full details of what the Lithuanian exams look like are in our Regitra theory exam guide — 30 questions, 30 minutes, up to 6 mistakes allowed for category B.
Interesting facts 🎯
- Ukrainian licences got their exam-free path through a bilateral agreement — one of the practical measures adopted after 2022, and it works in both directions.
- Lithuania has been moving to ratify the 1949 Geneva convention itself, which would finally make Lithuanian licences directly valid in the US and Japan without an IDP.
- The May 2025 tightening produced real cases where an IDP issued under the "wrong" convention was rejected — always check which convention your country actually signed, not which booklet your motor club sells.
- The theory exam is the same one Lithuanian learners take — the same 1,700+ question pool RoboKET trains you on, fully in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange a US driving licence in Lithuania?
Yes — the US is a party to the 1949 Geneva convention, so the licence is exchangeable, but you must pass both the theory and the practical exam at Regitra. The theory exam is available in English.
Can I exchange a UK licence without exams?
No — the UK has no exam-free bilateral agreement with Lithuania, so both the theory and practical exams are required. The rest of the process (medical certificate, translation, Regitra application) is standard.
Which countries' licences are exchanged without exams?
Ukraine (categories A and B), South Korea (B and BE), the United Arab Emirates (A1, A2, A, B, D1) and Switzerland. Moldova has a bilateral agreement as well — check your categories with Regitra.
What if my foreign licence has expired?
Only a valid licence can normally be exchanged, but if it expired while you were already living in Lithuania, you may still exchange it within 1 year of your arrival.
Do I need to be a Lithuanian resident to exchange a licence?
Yes — your residence must be declared in Lithuania for at least 185 days per calendar year, or you must prove personal or work ties, such as an employment contract or children attending school here.