Vehicle towing in Lithuania: permitted speeds, what is allowed and what is prohibited
Towing is when one vehicle pulls another (broken down or without engine power). The Road Traffic Rules set clear requirements so that towing stays safe — you need to know both the permitted methods and speeds and the prohibitions.
Permitted towing speed
Two methods are allowed: a rigid link (tow bar) or a flexible link (tow rope). The maximum speed is 70 km/h with a rigid link and 50 km/h with a flexible link — regardless of the road's posted limit, because pulling another car demands a larger safety margin.
Equipment requirements
A flexible link (rope) must be 4–6 metres long and marked with a brightly coloured flag or panel (usually red) so other drivers see it clearly. A rigid link may be up to 4 m. The towed vehicle must have its hazard lights switched on; if they do not work, a warning triangle is attached at the rear so other road users can see the vehicle is being towed.
What is allowed
Only one motor vehicle may be towed at a time — no "trains" of several cars. Trailers and semi-trailers are towed under their own coupling rules (a separate topic). The person at the wheel of the towed vehicle must hold a valid licence for it — you may not seat an unlicensed person behind the wheel of the towed car.
Prohibited during towing
- No driver in the towed vehicle. Towing a vehicle with nobody at its wheel is prohibited. The exception is transport on a platform or with part of the vehicle lifted — then no driver is needed inside. With ordinary rope or bar towing, someone must steer and brake the towed car.
- Broken steering. If the towed vehicle's steering is faulty, towing by pulling is prohibited — such a car may only be carried on a flatbed or lifted on a special rig.
- Broken brakes. A vehicle with failed service brakes may not be towed by a flexible link. With a rigid link it is allowed only if the towed vehicle weighs no more than half of the towing vehicle — a heavy car with dead brakes is simply dangerous to pull.
- Snow or ice. Towing with a flexible link is prohibited when the road surface is snowy or icy — on a slippery road a rope-towed car easily becomes uncontrollable.
- Motorways. On roads marked "Motorway" or "Expressway", towing with a flexible link is prohibited — use a rigid link or call roadside assistance.
- Vehicle types. A motorcycle without a sidecar may not tow another vehicle, nor may a motorcycle itself be towed (unless loaded on a trailer). Mopeds may neither tow nor be towed — they are not designed for it.
Follow these rules and towing stays safe for everyone. When in doubt, professional roadside assistance is always the better choice. You can test your knowledge with dedicated towing-rule questions on the RoboKET platform.