Can I hold my phone while driving in Lithuania?
No — holding and using a phone by hand while driving is banned. The Road Traffic Rules forbid a driver from using mobile devices by hand while the vehicle is in traffic. Only hands-free use is allowed: the phone in a dedicated holder, voice control, steering-wheel buttons or the car's own system. The most popular myth is that a phone in a holder means everything is legal. In reality the offence is the hand action, not the location: pick the device up in your hand, even from the holder, and it is already a breach. The fine under Article 417(3) of the ANK is €60–90. For this offence a driving ban of 1 to 3 months may also be imposed, especially if it is repeated or creates real danger.
📋 The rules
- Handheld phone use in traffic: €60–90 (ANK 417(3))
- Only hands-free allowed: holder, voice, steering-wheel buttons
- The offence is the hand action, not where the phone sits
- A 1–3 month licence ban may be imposed
- In a stationary vehicle (not in traffic) the ban does not apply
🔓 Exceptions
- When the vehicle is stopped and not in traffic, you may pick the phone up in your hand
- Voice control, steering-wheel buttons or the car's infotainment system are allowed if you do not touch the phone by hand
- A phone in a holder does not breach the rules by itself — touching it by hand while moving does
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The fine is small, but the fallout can grow into a licence ban. Handheld mobile use while driving carries a €60–90 fine under Article 417(3) of the ANK, and for that paragraph the law allows a driving ban of 1 to 3 months. This matters especially when phone use causes a crash or is repeated. In an accident, using a phone is treated as an aggravating factor and can mean greater civil liability and a recovery claim from the insurer. Scrolling the screen is considered more dangerous than talking, so police pay it close attention. Repeat offences build up in the driver's record and can raise the price of third-party liability insurance for the following year.
📎 Official sources
- e-seimas · Code of Administrative Offences (Art. 417) →
- e-seimas · Road Traffic Rules →
- Lithuanian Police · road safety →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I use a phone in a holder?
Yes, as long as you do not have to touch it by hand: voice control, steering-wheel buttons or the car system are all lawful. The moment you pick the device up in your hand, even from the holder, it counts as an offence and is fined.
What is the fine for phone use at the wheel?
Handheld use of a mobile device while driving carries a fine of €60 to €90 under Article 417(3) of the ANK. For this offence a driving ban of one to three months may additionally be imposed on the driver.
Can I text while stopped at a traffic light?
Formally the vehicle at a traffic light is still in traffic, so picking up the phone by hand is risky. The ban only stops applying when the vehicle is stopped and not participating in traffic, for example safely parked.
Can I lose my licence over a phone?
Not always, but you can. Article 417(8) of the ANK allows a driving ban of one to three months for handheld phone use, especially where the offence is repeated or creates a real danger to other road users.
Is using navigation on a phone allowed?
Navigation is allowed if the phone is fixed in a holder and you do not need to touch it by hand while moving. It is safest to enter the route before the trip, and to change it while driving only by voice or after stopping.
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