Latvia - Exchange Your Foreign License

ProcedureEdit

To exchange your foreign driving license, you need to present your passport or personal identification card (the person must have Latvian personal identification code); the Driving licence to be exchanged; a valid medical examination card (if no data is available in the CSDD Register). It can be verified by using e-services of CSDD or by calling information line of CSDD (payable) 90004099.

Following link has information about CSDD service centers available : Service Centers
Contact Information and Address Location : Contact Information

For more information, please contact the following link : More info

Required DocumentsEdit

Passport or personal identification card (the person must have Latvian personal identification code)
The Driving licence to be exchanged
A valid medical examination card (it must be presented, if no data is available in the CSDD Register). It can be verified by using e-services of CSDD or by calling information line of CSDD (payable) 90004099. The medical examination card is issued by family doctors and designated commissions at medical establishments.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Department of Road Traffic Safety
CSDD, Miera iela 25, R?ga, Latvija, LV 1001
Information phone: +371 67025777
Public relations department: +371 67025730
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
CSDD Branches

Following link has information about CSDD service centers available : Service Centers
Contact Information and Address Location : Contact Information

EligibilityEdit

You may exchange your foreign license if:

Your foreign license has expired or was damaged;
Your name, family name or personal identification info has changed
You wish to obtain a Latvian Driving License
You have restriction code 78 in the Driving licence which allows for driving a vehicle with automatic gearbox only, and you passed driving test with a vehicle equipped with the manual gearbox.

If you are permanently residing in Latvia or staying in Latvia for more than 185 days per calendar year (and has the place of residence declared in Latvia) you can have your Driving license issued abroad exchanged for a Latvian one.

A driver who arrives in Latvia from abroad and stays in Latvia for more than one year has to exchange the Driving licence in accordance with the established procedure; this requirement does not apply to the Driving licence issued in the EU Member State or EFTA country, and to persons having diplomatic or consular immunity and privileges. The applicant must pass the driving exam in order to exchange his/her foreign Driving license.

FeesEdit

Explain the fees structure which is required for obtaining the certificate/document.

ValidityEdit

Driver's licenses issued in Latvia complies with the provisions of 1968 Vienna Convention 'On Road Traffic' and legal enactments of the EU, and it is valid for driving vehicles both in Latvia and abroad.

Driving licences are valid for a period of 10 years (except those under categories C1, C1E, D1, D1E, C, CE, D or DE having the entry on acquired professional knowledge these are valid for 5 years).

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

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InstructionsEdit

In order for a foreigner to acquire a Latvian Driving license, he/she must:

Attend a driving school
Finish a course on first aid
Undergo medical examination
Pass the theoretical exam at CSDD. The questions on the theoretical exam focuses on understanding different traffic situations rather than on formal memorizing of rules. This exam is to be taken on a PC in one of the following languages: Latvian, English, French, German or Russian.
Pass the driving exam at CSDD. During the practical driving test, the skill of the new driver to perform different maneuvers are evaluated, as well as his/her ability to join the traffic flow both in town and outside. Since 2005 modern vehicles cars and motorcycles are used for practical exams all equipped with digital video surveilance systems. This allows for recording the course of the exam and to analyze it in case of appeal, as well as to see that inspectors comply with professional criteria set by CSDD and to eradicate corruption.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

A driver's license is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway.

Driver's licenses issued in Latvia complies with the provisions of 1968 Vienna Convention 'On Road Traffic' and legal enactments of the EU, and it is valid for driving vehicles both in Latvia and abroad.

Following are procedures on how you can exchange your foreign license in Latvia.

Information which might helpEdit

Foreigners may drive a vehicle in Latvia, if in possession of:

a driving license issued in EU Member state or in EFTA country
a driving license where categories thereof are indicated in accordance with 1968 Vienna Convention 'On Road Traffic'
a driving license where categories thereof are not indicated in accordance with 1968 Vienna Convention 'On Road Traffic'.

Holders of these driving licenses may drive a vehicle corresponding to the category B only, provided it is allowed in the country where the Driving license was issued. When entries in the Driving license are not made in Latin letters, a person has to submit a notarize certified translation into Latvian.

External LinksEdit

Department of Road Traffic Safety Website:

http://www.csdd.lv/eng/qualification_of_drivers/obtaining_and_exchange_of_driving_licence/

OthersEdit

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