Destinations / Latvia
Driving in Latvia as a visitor
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Latvia drives on the right with year-round daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP with their national licence.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Latvia expects
| Driving document | Depends on licence issuer, script and rental policy |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h (110 on some roads in summer) |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Check the desk policy for your issuing country and licence script. A translation accompanies the licence and never replaces an official permit. |
| Booklet format they know | 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in EUR. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Lights | Headlights on at all times. |
|---|---|
| Tyres | Winter tyres mandatory Dec–Feb. |
| Alcohol | 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for new drivers. |
| In the car | Reflective vest and triangle required. |
On the road in Latvia
At the pump
Stations sell unleaded petrol 95 and 98 plus diesel (dīzelis); most are self-service, pay-at-pump or pay-at-kiosk, cards widely accepted, with petrol roughly EUR 1.55-1.70 per litre. Major chains are Circle K, Neste and Viada.
After a crash
Call 112 for injuries; for damage-only collisions where parties agree you can complete the European Accident Statement without police, but you must notify the rental company and obtain a report, and you must not move vehicles before documenting if there is injury or dispute.
Sources: rac.co.uk · csdd.lv · tolls.eu · theaa.ie
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Latvia?
Often required, depending on where your licence was issued. Latvia drives on the right with year-round daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP with their national licence.
Which translation format is used for Latvia?
Latvia uses the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna convention format. A Vialy translation is prepared in that format but is not a government-issued permit.
Will a rental desk in Latvia ask for a translation?
Riga desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.
How fast can Vialy prepare one for Latvia?
The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay, 30 minutes as standard and 5 with Express.
Also in Europe
Driving on to another country on the same trip? Each page states what that destination expects.