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DRIVING IN LATVIA

Residents of any European Union state can drive in Latvia with their domestic driving permits. Foreign visitors from non-European Union countries who planning to drive motor vehicles in Latvia are required to have an International Driving Permit. Any visitor who plan to resident in Latvia for more than six months are required to apply for a Latvian driving permit.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

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  • It is mandatory to have in a car a warning triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and spare lights bulbs.

  • The minimum driving age is 18 years.

  • Traffic moves on the right side of the road.

  • Children under 3 years must be seated in the back seat in a special child seats. Children under 12 years and under 150 cm (59 inches) may not be seated in the front seat.

  • Winter or all-season tires are required from 10 November to 1 April.

  • Studded tires are not permitted from 10 April to 31 October.

  • Dipped headlights must be switched on at all times while driving.

  • The Liability Insurance policy is obligatory; it can be purchased at the border to Lithuania.

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SPEED LIMITS

  • Speed limits are: in built up areas – 50 km/hr (31 mph); on open roads – 90 km/hr (56 mph); on the highways – 110 km/h (68 mph). Drivers who have held their driving permits for less than two years are not permitted to exceed 80 km/h.

SOME INFORMATION

  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for drivers who have been driving for at least two years. For drivers who have driven for less than two years, the blood alcohol limit is 0.02 %.

  • Some areas have "Pay and Display" parking; for parking there, it is required to display a disc or ticket from a meter.

  • Winter tires are required between 1 December and 1 March.

  • It is not permitted to use radar detectors.

  • The police phone number is 112.

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