State Language Inspectorate head Audrius Valotka reports that his office is currently seeking changes to the Road Transport Code to mandate that ride-hailing drivers prove their Lithuanian language proficiency before they are permitted to transport passengers. The proposal follows a surge in complaints regarding drivers who do not speak the state language, a process that currently burdens both businesses and state institutions with extensive bureaucratic verification.
Verification challenges in the ride-hailing sector
The State Language Inspectorate has updated its complaint handling procedures to address a high volume of reports. According to Audrius Valotka, the office no longer accepts anonymous complaints and verifies every claim through available means. The process for investigating ride-hailing drivers is particularly time-consuming because they are not traditional employees but work under individual activity contracts.
When a complaint is filed, the inspectorate must request contact details from companies like Bolt. Valotka notes that in approximately 40% of these cases, the contact information provided is inaccurate. The inspectorate then coordinates with the Migration Department to identify the individuals. If a driver has not passed a language exam, they are issued a mandatory instruction to do so within six months, though Valotka plans to shorten this deadline by half starting mid-year.
Legislative delays and industry obstacles
Valotka attributes the lack of progress on changing the Road Transport Code to two main factors: departmental narrowness and business lobbying. While the Ministry of Transport and Communications initially opposed the stricter language requirements, it has since provided preliminary consent that such skills are necessary. However, the government has yet to submit a formal conclusion despite a request from the Seimas last November.
The inspectorate head argues that a simple requirement to present a language certificate before being allowed to drive would eliminate the current cycle of complaints, investigations, and fines. Valotka suggests that the business model of relying on inexpensive foreign labor is the primary reason for resistance, noting that language diversity can represent a cost-incurring obstacle for service providers.
Future steps for foreign worker integration
A multi-institutional group, including the Ministries of Culture, Education, and Social Security and Labor, is currently working to develop a sustainable integration model. Valotka emphasizes that foreign workers must demonstrate personal initiative in learning the language, particularly if they intend to build careers or raise families in Lithuania.
Policy discussions are now focusing on how to allocate state funds for language training effectively. One proposal involves waiting for individuals to show initial interest and proficiency at the A1 level before the state provides financial support for further A2 level training. This shift aims to ensure that public funds are not exhausted on individuals who do not maintain a long-term commitment to the language or the local labor market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the State Language Inspectorate want to change the Road Transport Code?
The inspectorate aims to implement a preventive rule requiring drivers to hold a specific level of language proficiency before they start transporting passengers, which would replace the current, labor-intensive process of investigating individual complaints.
What happens when a driver is found not to speak Lithuanian?
The inspectorate issues a mandatory instruction for the driver to pass a language exam and present a certificate within a set timeframe, which is currently six months but will be reduced to three months starting mid-year.
What is the current status of the proposed legislative change?
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has given preliminary consent to the requirement, but the government has not yet submitted its final conclusion despite a request from the Seimas issued in November.
How should the state balance the needs of the labor market with the requirement to uphold the state language in public services?
