02/04/2024
Obtaining Driving license in Latvia ‼️
And
Exchange of a foreign driving licence
A foreign driving licence may be exchanged for a Latvian driving licence by person, whose permanent residence for the last six months, according to the information available in the national registers, has been Latvia (Road Traffic Law, Article 22, paragraph 1).
To exchange a driving licence issued outside the European Union:
Go to the CSDD Customer Service Centre and take an identity document (passport or ID card) and the driving licence to be exchanged with you.
The CSDD will send a request to the relevant foreign authority to provide details on the driving licence and its validity for exchange. In cases where the foreign authority does not provide information to the RTSD, such confirmation must be provided by the person himself/herself, applying to the representation of the relevant country or issuing authority beforehand. In such a case, in light of the procedures stipulated in Latvia concerning the international circulation of documents, it must be legalised or certified with an “Apostille”.
Information is not provided to the CSDD by: Russia, Belarus, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey.
After receiving the approval, you have to undergo medical examination necessary for drivers.
Pass the category B driving test (you will be able to register for the exam after receiving your confirmation). You can apply for the exam in e-CSDD, on-site at the CSDD customer service center or by phone.
After successfully passing the exam and making the payment, the CSDD will issue a Latvian driving licence.
To exchange a driving license issued by a Member State of the European Union, the United Kingdom or European Free Trade Association:
Do a medical examination necessary for drivers.
Go to the nearest CSDD customer service center with your identity document (passport or ID) and exchangeable driving licence.
CSDD will check the driving licence in foreign registers. If it is not possible to check the validity of the driving licence online, the CSDD will send a request to the relevant foreign authority.
In order to verify the validity of the driving licence issued in the UK, the person is obliged to submit the CSDD a code obtained at https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
After information verification is done and payment is made, the CSDD will issue a Latvian driving licence.
When changing the licence, the Latvian licence will indicate the same vehicle categories as the foreign licence or those which most closely correspond to the categories indicated in the certificate to be exchanged (if the categories indicated in the licence do not correspond to those specified in the Vienna Convention).
General information ‼️
The CSDD takes driver’s tests and issues, exchanges and renews driving licences.
In CSDD you can obtain driving licences for bicycle, AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, C1, C, D1, D, E category vehicles, as well as Recreational vessel driving licences for navigation in Latvian inland and international waters.
Driving licences and recreational vessel driving licences can be obtained in 10 CSDD customer service centres, where licencing services are provided. In turn, a bicycle licence can be obtained at any CSDD customer service centre (except for road worthiness test stations).
In any case, a driving licence (first issue, acquisition of additional category, exchange or renewal of a licence) is issued to a person who permanently resides in Latvia and whose normal residence is in Latvia ( Section 22 (1 ) (1 ) of the Road Traffic Law ).
A driving licence is a document authorizing to drive vehicles of the categories specified therein. It complies with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, as well as European Union legislation, and is valid for driving both in Latvia and abroad. Driving licences for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 or BE are valid for 10 years, while driving licences for categories C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E, DE, TRAM or TROL category vehicles - 5 years.
From the age of 10:
Bicycle - a vehicle that is driven by the muscle force of a human sitting on it (except for wheelchairs).
From the age of 14:
AM - moped - a vehicle with cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cm 3 and a maximum speed in road traffic not exceeding 45 km / h. A driver who has the right to drive A, B, C1, D1, C or D category vehicles is also allowed to drive AM category vehicles in Latvia.
From the age of 16:
A1 - motorcycle * - a vehicle with cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cm 3 and a power not exceeding 11 kW, as well as a tricycle with a power not exceeding 15 kW. A driver who has the right to drive A2 or B category vehicles is also allowed to drive A1 category vehicles in Latvia;
Tricycle - a three-wheeled vehicle with a power not exceeding 15 kW;
B1 - quadricycle;
Recreational vessel - a motorized recreational vessel, the length of which does not exceed 12 meters. It is intended for navigation in the inland waters of Latvia. Sailing and motorized recreational vessels not exceeding 24 meters in length. They are intended for navigation in international waters.
From the age of 18:
A2 - motorcycle * - a vehicle with an engine power not exceeding 35 kW;
B - a vehicle with a maximum mass not exceeding 3500 kg and the number of seats, excluding the driver's seat, not exceeding 8 seats. In order to drive a category B tractor vehicle with a trailer with a maximum mass exceeding 750 kg, if this combination has a maximum mass exceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding 4250 kg, it is necessary to pass an additional driving test with the relevant vehicle and obtain a driving licence with a corresponding mark (code 96 ). The requirements for the category B (96) driving test are identical to those for the category BE driving test
C1 - a motor vehicle with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3500 kg but not exceeding 7500 kg and which does not fall into categories D1 and D, as well as the combination of a tractor vehicle of this category with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg;
BE - B combination of a category B tractor vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3500 kg;
C1E – C1 combination of a category C1 tractor vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer, maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 750 kg, if the maximum authorised mass of such a combination does not exceed 12 000 kg, or a combination of category B tractor vehicle of with a trailer or semi-trailer maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3500 kg, if the maximum authorised mass of such a combination does not exceed 12 000 kg.
From the age of 21:
C - lorry - a motor vehicle with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3500 kg and which does not fall into categories D1 and D, as well as a combination of a tractor vehicle of this category with a trailer, maximum authorised mass of which does not exceed 750 kg;
D1 - bus - a motor vehicle for carrying passengers, the number of seats of which does not exceed 16 seats and the length of which does not exceed 8 meters, as well as the combination of a tractor vehicle of this category with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg;
D1E - combination of a tractor vehicle in category D1 with a trailer having a maximum mass exceeding 750 kg;
Combination of a category CE - C tractor vehicle with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg;
Trailers
From the age of 24:
A - motorcycle * - a vehicle with a power exceeding 15 kW;
Tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW;
D - a motor vehicle for carrying passengers, the number of seats of which, excluding the driver's seat, exceeds 8, as well as a combination of a tractor vehicle of this category with a trailer, the maximum authorised mass of which does not exceed 750 kg;
Combination of a category DE - D tractor vehicle with a trailer having the maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg.
Training procedure. ‼️
To obtain the B category driving licence, you need to complete training course at a driving school, pass a theoretical and driving test.
The driving school must advise the applicant with the procedural requirements of the tests during the training with the applicant's rights and obligations when taking them. The scope and content of the training at the driving school include both theoretical training on road traffic regulations and road safety issues and driving training.
The training procedure for obtaining a category B driving licence determined on 13.04.2010. Cabinet No. 358 "Regulations on Driver Training and Driver Training Programs".
The theory test and applying for the test ‼️
The theory test and applying for the test
Applying for the theoretical test is possible:
when the applicant arrives at the most convenient CSDD customer service centre;
using e-CSDD;
through the intermediary of driving school;
by phone.
Necessary documents:
personal identification document - passport, personal identification (ID) card, learner’s permit, driving license, recreational vessel or small vessel driving license;
health examination for drivers of vehicles (medical statement). The person can check its validity in the e-CSDD
or on-site at the CSDD. The health examination for drivers of vehicles may perform at a general practitioner or in medical commissions established in medical treatment institutions;
certificate of completion of first aid course.
Applying for the test by phone or by e-CSDD and the abovementioned documents are not in the CSDD register thereinafter the documents must be presented 30 minutes before the test. Please inform us of your absence no later than the one working day before. You can cancel the test by calling, visiting the CSDD customer service centre in person or using e-CSDD. In case to order retest, additional documents not needed to be submitted.
The procedure of the theory test
The organisation and evaluation of the test is conducted in accordance with the Cabinet Regulations No. 2 on February 2, 2010. 103 "Procedures for Acquisition and Renewal of Driving Licenses, as well as Procedures for Issuing, Exchanging and Renewing a Driving License".
The theory test is computerised. Before the test, the applicant must present an identity document to the examiner. The examiner will explain the procedure of the test and answer the questions.
The test begins with a demonstration (introduction) section that shows you how to answer the questions.
You must answer 30 questions on the test. To bring the situation closer to the real life decision-making in road traffic, you must answer all exam questions in turn. The applicant shall take the theoretical test independently, without the assistance of other people or auxiliary materials. If this requirement is not followed after examiner's reprimand, the participant will leave the test room and the test will be failed.
The time allowed for answering is 30 minutes, which is recorded by a computer. The result of the test is evaluated by a special computer program.
The test is passed if the number of incorrectly answered questions does not exceed 3 questions. At the end of the test, the results will be displayed on the computer monitor. The examiner will explain them at the request of the applicant. Re-test of the theory is allowed not earlier than on the next working day.
If the test has been passed, the examiner will inform the applicant about applying for the driving test.
The driving test must be taken within one year of passing the theory test. Otherwise, the theoretical test must be re-taken.
‼️
Driving test and applying for the test
Registration for the driving test is possible:
when the applicant arrives at the most convenient CSDD customer service centre ;
using e-CSDD ;
through the intermediary of driving school;
by phone.
The additional documents are not required to apply for the driving test.
If you fail to attend the test, please, notify no later than the one working day before. You can refuse the test by calling, visiting the CSDD customer service centre in person or using e-CSDD by cancelling the registered application. If you do not cancel the test and do not attend, it must be paid in full.
It is possible to take the driving test with a category B car equipped with an automatic transmission in all 10 CSDD customer service centres where the tests are taken. It is possible to apply for the B (78) category test in e-CSDD, via phone or by arriving in person.
Driving test procedure
The driving test is taken to test the applicant's driving skills and ability to integrate into the overall traffic flow, in compliance with the Road Traffic Regulations and without endangering himself and other road users.
The driving test must be taken with a CSDD car equipped with a manual transmission. The driving test can also be taken with a car equipped with an automatic transmission. In this case, after passing the driving test, the driver will receive a B category driving license with restriction code 78, which will give the right to drive a vehicle only with an automatic transmission. If this driver later wants to get the right to drive a car equipped with a manual transmission, he has to pass a driving test with a manual transmission (without attending driving school course) and exchange a driving licence.
A special computer program determines the examination car, special manoeuvres and the examiner, with which the applicant must take this driving test.
Evaluation
During the driving test, the examiner shall evaluate the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities (competence) to drive a vehicle and safely participate in road traffic. The examiner evaluates general driving and perception of the applicant: stably participating in road traffic, taking into account road weather conditions, other road participants (especially the most vulnerable), comprehending the road situation and foreseeing potential hazards.
The competence of the applicant is evaluated in the following levels:
good - the level of competence conforms to that required, the applicant participates in road traffic in a stable way, does not cause threats to himself or herself or other participants of the traffic, knows and is able to apply the main requirements of laws and regulations, complies with the generally accepted norms in road traffic, comprehends the traffic situation and takes corresponding decisions;
sufficient - the level of competence conforms to the minimum of that required, generally the applicant participates in road traffic, does not cause threats to himself or herself or other participants of the traffic, knows and is able to apply the main requirements of laws and regulations, complies with the generally accepted norms in road traffic, comprehends the traffic situation and takes corresponding decisions, but improvements and further independent development are necessary;
insufficient - the level of competence does not conform to the minimum of that required, the applicant is unable to participate in road traffic, causes threats to himself or herself or other participants of the traffic, does not know and is not able to apply the main requirements of laws and regulations, does not comprehend the traffic situation and is not able to take corresponding decisions, therefore situations endangering and hindering the traffic are being or may be caused.
The driving test content
Vehicle knowledge test
The examiner evaluates the applicant's ability to inspect the car by requesting to perform one of the following tasks:
determine whether the vehicle is fitted with winter or summer tyres and explain the specific features of tyre use;
explain how to check tyre pressure and what it should be;
explain the procedure and safety precautions for changing a wheel;
explain how to check and top up the fluid level in the cooling system;
explain how to check the oil level in the engine crankcase;
check the fluid level in the window cleaner tank and switch the wipers to different modes;
switch on external lighting or emergency lights;
explain the function of the dashboard instruments and the significance of the indicator lights;
explain how to check the braking system;
explain the purpose and benefits of using cruise control, the main differences between cruise control and adaptive cruise control, the main risks of using cruise control and adaptive cruise control;
distance sensors and their operating principle;
collision warning system and automatic braking system, principles of their operation;
lane assist and blind spot sensors, and their operating principles.
The vehicle knowledge test is assessed at the end of the exam, evaluating the driver’s overall level of competence.
Driving in road traffic, including special maneuvers
The examiner evaluates the applicant's skills and ability to prepare for driving and drive a car in real road traffic, observing the requirements of the Traffic Rules and traffic safety.
The examiner will give instructions for driving directions. Orders will be timely and unequivocal. If necessary, the examiner shall repeat the orders. It is prohibited to give such orders upon ex*****on of which the applicant must violate the requirements of the Road Traffic Regulations.
The driving test in road traffic shall be performed in a route that includes roads of various levels of complexity in built-up areas and roads outside built-up areas.
From April 1, 2022, during the driving test the applicant will have to perform 2 special maneuvers determined by a special computer program.
Special maneuvers:
Parallel parking
Parking perpendicular to the road
Interval control when approaching an obstacle (cash register
Turning in the opposite direction
Braking with precise stopping (emergency braking)
Since August 15, 2011, the driving test includes a new element of the driving test - independent driving. Driving in road traffic, the applicant must drive the vehicle for at least 5 minutes on an independently chosen route to the destination indicated by the examiner.
The time period provided for driving in road traffic shall be about 40 minutes.
Test is evaluated in accordance with Annex 6 of the CSDD Internal Regulations No. 8 on 20 August 2019.
After the driving test
CSDD examiner informs the applicant regarding the result of the driving test and explains the evaluation of the competences demonstrated during the driving test.
CSDD examiner informs about the possibility to receive a copy of the protocol in the e-CSDD or to print the protocol in the CSDD customer service centre.
After successfully passing the test, the applicant can receive a driving licence at the CSDD customer service centre.
If the test is not passed, a repeated driving test is allowed no earlier than on the next working day.
The process of the driving test is filmed. If an applicant does not agree with the evaluation of the driving test, he or she may dispute the evaluation of the test within one month by submitting a motivated application to the CSDD. You will be notified in writing of the test results within 30 days of receiving your application. You can apply for next test only after receiving the decision. You do not have to come to the CSDD customer service centre in person to apply for the next test. You can apply by phone or e-CSDD.
