From January of the next year, driving exams in Lithuania will be carried out exclusively in the Lithuanian or other official languages of the European Union (EU), with the exception of cases relating to Ukrainian citizens.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Lithuania on Tuesday, December 3, this change is enshrined by the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Agne Bilotaita.
Its goal is to support the use of the state language, to promote the integration of foreigners into public life and improve cooperation with other EU member countries.
“This decision helps to reduce the influence of external threats on national security. We adhere to a clear and value position: public services in Lithuania should not be provided in the language of the aggressor country. As a country of the EU, we provide access to services in all official languages of the Union. The exclusion is provided for Ukrainians living in Lithuania and having temporary protection of the EU, ”the minister said.
According to the order, the theoretical Driving exam will be held in the Lithuanian or any other official language of the EU. During the practical exam, candidates who do not speak any of these languages will be able to use the services of a translator who will translate from the chosen official language of the EU or to him. For persons who have begun preparation for the exam according to the old rules, a transition period will be established.
According to the regional state company, in 2022, the theory of driving theory in Russian passed 10,381 times, and in the first 11 months of 2023 – 11,560 times. Most exams in Russian were passed by foreigners who wanted to get categories B (cars), C (trucks) and A (motorcycles).
The Ministry of the Interior also recommended that all subordinate institutions provide services and serve residents exclusively in Lithuanian or other official languages of the EU.