Learning to drive with a family member in Lithuania

Skaityti lietuviškai 🇱🇹

Requirements for family-member instruction

A family member seeking a category B licence may acquire and improve practical driving skills with a family driving instructor once they have passed the Regitra theory exam and are at least 17 years old. Three conditions in short: category B only, theory exam already passed, learner aged 17+.

Only a family driving instructor with at least 5 years of category B driving experience may teach the learner. A person whose driving licence has been withdrawn for traffic violations cannot act as a family instructor.

It is prohibited to use vehicles in which the parking-brake lever is not located between the driver's and front passenger's seats — the instructor must be able to reach the brake instantly.

During practical training:

• the front and rear of the vehicle must carry clearly visible "M" learner plates, as required by the Road Traffic Rules;
• the family instructor must carry and present on request: a driving licence, the vehicle's registration, roadworthiness (technical inspection) and insurance documents, and documents proving that the instructor and the learner are family members;
• the learner must carry an identity document, the Regitra certificate confirming the passed theory exam and a valid driver's medical certificate (form 083-1/a).

A learner may be taught practical driving for no more than 3 hours per day. The family instructor is responsible for compliance with the Road Traffic Rules and the training requirements during lessons. The family-training rules do not apply to persons whose right to drive has been withdrawn for violations. Importantly, the learner may take the Regitra practical exam only after completing the mandatory practical training course at a driving school.

Official source: Driver Training Procedure Description.

Family members are spouses, parents, children, adopted children, brothers, sisters, grandparents and grandchildren. For guardians, children under legally established guardianship or care also count as family members. A family driving instructor is a family member who teaches practical driving to another member of the same family.

Independent theory study and taking the Regitra theory exam is allowed:

• from 17 — for category B and A2;
• from 14 — for category AM;
• from 15 — for categories A1 and B1;
• from 19 or 23* — for category A.

* With two years of A2 experience and after passing the practical exam on an A-category motorcycle. Tricycles over 15 kW may be driven from age 21.

Can you learn with a cohabiting partner?

Yes — but you must be able to prove that you actually live together and run a joint household. The law does not clearly define which documents prove partnership, so if you do not want to risk a fine or losing the right to drive, we recommend learning with a documented family member, or buying extra lessons from a professional instructor rather than driving without the required proof.

How to prove the family relationship

Carry more documents rather than fewer. Typical examples:

1. Learning with your mother (if surnames differ, e.g. after remarriage): the child's birth certificate showing the parents' surnames; the child's passport or ID card matching the birth certificate; the mother's passport or ID card with the new surname; divorce and new marriage certificates.

2. Learning with a brother or sister: both birth certificates; ID cards or passports; at least copies of the parents' ID documents, since surnames alone cannot prove the relationship.

3. Learning with grandparents: documents tracing the relationship chronologically — the grandparents' birth certificates, the parents' birth certificates, your own birth certificate and everyone's ID documents.

Which car can be used for training?

A regular category B car is fine, provided it is registered, has a valid technical inspection and valid compulsory third-party insurance. However, cars in which the parking-brake lever or button sits anywhere other than between the front seats may not be used.

Extra equipment: no illuminated "M" roof sign, extra mirrors or dual pedals are needed (those apply to driving-school cars). What is mandatory is proper marking: the front and rear of the vehicle must display a white equilateral-triangle plate with a red border and a black letter "M" in the middle; side length 200–300 mm, border width 1/10 of the side. These plates are cheap and sold widely, even in supermarkets.

Where can you practise?

Start on a practice area, not on the road. Some driving schools rent out their closed courses; a remote, little-used car park works too. The learner should first master steering, changing gears and smooth braking — only then move to public roads.

1. Progression of roads: from the practice area to quiet roads, then to busier streets. Under the Road Traffic Rules, learner driving is allowed on motorways and expressways but not in residential zones. Speed caps for learner driving: motorways — 100 km/h, expressways — 90 km/h, paved roads — 80 km/h, other roads — 70 km/h, built-up areas — 50 km/h.
2. Time of day: practising is allowed by day and after dark. Evenings with light traffic are a good starting point — less stress, easier learning.
3. Weather: practise in varied conditions. Many learners deliberately choose winter, because mastering winter driving makes summer feel easy; just avoid heavy rain or blizzards.

Progress can also be assessed by booking an occasional lesson with a professional instructor, who will point out habits a family member might miss.