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Driver’s licence
Driver’s licence
Can I continue to use a driver’s licence issued in my country in Latvia?
If you stay in Latvia for less than a year, you can use your national driver’s licence, but with conditions:
- The categories on your driver’s licence correspond to those in Latvia.
- If the driver’s licence does not indicate the appropriate categories in Latvia, you may drive only vehicles of category B (category B – vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 3,500 kg and a seating capacity, excluding the driver’s seat, of not more than eight. This category of a driver’s licence is available from the age of 18).
- If the driver’s licence does not have a Latin alphabet, a notarised translation of the driver’s licence in Latvian must be presented in addition to the driver’s licence.
If you stay in Latvia for more than a year, you can no longer use your national driver’s licence. If you break this rule, the traffic police can impose a fine of EUR 40.
How can I exchange my national driver’s licence for a Latvian driver’s licence?
If you stay in Latvia for more than one year, you must exchange your national driver’s licence for a Latvian driver’s licence valid for ten years (category B) or five years (higher categories). You need to pass a driving test (city driving) in Latvian, Russian or English.
You can apply and take the test at the offices of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (in Latvian) by submitting the following documents:
- Passport or personal identification card (you must have a personal identity number and declare your place of residence in Latvia).
- The driver’s licence you have. The Road Traffic Safety Directorate will contact the issuing country to check that the licence is valid and not forged. For beneficiaries of international protection who have been granted refugee or alternative status, the situation will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
- A valid medical certificate attesting to your medical fitness to drive. It can be obtained from your general practitioner or from the Medical Commission for Drivers.
The procedure for exchanging the certificate can take between one day and two months if additional information is needed from the issuing country on the fact that the certificate was issued.
