Standard vehicle registration plates in Lithuania bear three letters and three numbers (e.g. ABC 123) in black lettering on a white background without a space between them. The plates are usually of the standard EU dimensions but are also available in the American dimensions for vehicles which cannot accommodate EU-sized plates. All plates issued since 2004 also bear a blue EU identification stripe on their left-hand edge. Those issued between the restoration of Lithuanian independence in 1990 and the country's accession to the European Union in 2004 bore a similar stripe with a small Lithuanian flag in place of the flag of the European Union. No regional code is being used at the moment.
The current design has been issued since October 2023. They bear the coat of arms of Lithuania between the right side of the EU stripe and the number (above the EU stripe for two-line or narrow plates).
Numbering format The following formats and sizes are used for regular plates: Vehicle typeFormatSizeCars, trucks, busesABC 123520x110mm or 300x150mmTrailers and semi-trailersAB 123520x110mm or 300x150mmMotorcycles123 AB250x150mm, 185x210mm or 520x110mmMopeds12 ABC145x120mm or 520x110mmHeavy quadricyclesAB 12250x150mm (without EU symbol)Electric (or plug-in hybrid) vehiclesEA1234520x110mm or 300x150mm Cars, trucks and buses require two plates, while most other types of vehicles only require one plate (but 2 may be issued in some cases)
Since 2016, a separate series for electric vehicles has been introduced. It consists of the letter E, followed by one letter and 4 numbers. The first series was EV, followed by EA, EB, EC, and so on. Initially, they were only available for fully electric vehicles, but since 2018, they are available for plug-in hybrids as well. However, electric cars can use regular plates as well.
For an additional fee, it is possible to reserve a specific combination from the regular series.
It is also possible to order a personalized license plate, with a combination chosen by the owner. The combination must consist of 1-6 characters (5 for motorcycles), one of which must be a number. Any letter of the Latin alphabet may be used (including Q, W and X). The combination must not contain offensive language, the names of countries or international organizations, or match the formats of regular plates.
License plates (both regular and personalized) can be transferred to another vehicle of the same type.
Area designations Until 2004 the second of the three letters in each registration mark indicated the geographical administrative area in which the vehicle had originally been registered, as follows:
Code County Example A Alytus County AAA 123 J Tauragė County (but code from first letter of Jurbarkas) AJA 123 K Kaunas County AKA 123 L Klaipėda County ALA 123 M Marijampolė County AMA 123 P Panevėžys County APA 123 S Šiauliai County ASA 123 T Telšiai County ATA 123 U Utena County AUA 123 V Vilnius County AVA 123
Numbers beginning with LRS and LRV were issued to government officials. Starting in 2004, the area designation was abolished and any letter (except for Q, W and X, which are not used in Lithuanian registration numbers) became admissible as the middle letter.
Special types
Temporary Vehicles issued temporary registration in Lithuania are noted by red alphanumeric characters on white background.
Vehicles imported to Lithuania or vehicles exported from Lithuania
As of July 2022, these plates are valid for up to 30 days. They can be re-issued to the same vehicle only after it has been issued standard license plates in the meantime. They consist of 4 numbers, followed by 2 letters (1 letter for motorcycles). Vehicles sold by vehicle selling companies or organizations (professional or trade number plates)
Plates issued since April 2018 start with the letter P followed by five digits; the plates do not expire, but the authorization to use them must be renewed every 2 years. These plates are only valid in Lithuania. Prior to that, numbers consisted of a letter (P or R) followed by four digits, a space and two more digits, the latter indicating the year of expiration.
Diplomatic corps
Reserved and used by diplomatic corps. Plates have a green background and white characters; they do not have blue sidebar on the left side. The numbers are made up of six digits, grouped 01 3 123, with the first two digits denoting the embassy or other diplomatic or consular representation:https://www.regitra.lt/en/services/state-number-plates/types-of-vehicle-registration-number-license-plates/diplomatic-of-foreign-missions-and-of-international-organisations/ Code Country or Organization01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 (Consulate General in Klaipėda)21 22 23 24 25 26 28 (Flanders Investment and Trade Division)29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 39 40 41 42 43 60 (Representative Office)80 Nordic Council of Ministers81 World Bank82 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development83 World Health Organization84 United Nations Development Programme85 International Organization for Migration86 European Commission87 United Nations88 European Institute for Gender Equality89 NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence 90 NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania 91 European Investment Bank The third digit indicates the status of the vehicle: 1Chief of mission2Embassy vehicle3Diplomatic personnel4Administrative and technical personnel The remaining 3 digits (2 for motorcycles) are the serial number of the vehicle.
Taxicabs
Taxicabs have plates with white background and black text. The first letter is "T" (corresponds to the first letter of the word "taksi" in Lithuanian) and is followed by five numbers.
Before the 3rd of April, 2018, taxi plates had a yellow background and black text, with the same number scheme. These plates continued to be valid and registration centers issued these plates beyond April 3, 2018, until stocks were exhausted.
Military
Since November 2008, vehicles of the Lithuanian Armed Forces display a black license plate with white text consisting of the letters "LK", three digits, and one letter. Instead of the standard European blue band, the Lithuanian flag is featured on the left.
Vintage cars H02401
Plates for vintage cars have been issued since July 1, 2014. Originally these plates had white characters on a brown background, which was changed to black on white as of April 3, 2018. They start with the letter H, followed by five digits (four for motorcycles).
Agricultural and motorized equipment
Tractors, agricultural and motorized equipment, trailers for them, and some types of ATVs use plates with green characters on a white background. These plates are administered by municipal authorities. The registration number consists of one letter, 3 or 4 numbers and another letter.
Technical check sticker
Until 2018, the registration plate had a special spot to attach a sticker certifying the compulsory periodic technical inspection to check for compliance with safety/emissions standards. On regular plates, it was between the letters and numbers or next to the blue band. On motorcycle, square or US-sized plates, it was below the blue band or registration number. Plates made after 2018 no longer have a spot for the sticker. The sticker is no longer compulsory from June 2016.
References
External links
State Enterprise "Regitra", the administrative branch of the government in charge of vehicle registrations, vehicle operator licensing and technical inspections (in English and Lithuanian)