Exchanging a driving licence in Latvia: a guide for foreigners
A year on a licence from outside the EU, then an exchange at the road traffic authority, as a rule with a driving test. Only licences from countries with an agreement with Latvia are exchanged without a test.
| In short | |
|---|---|
| Driving on a non-EU licence | up to 1 year from arrival |
| Test on exchange | as a rule, a driving test for each category |
| No test | licences from agreement countries, Ukraine from 2 September 2026 |
| Who exchanges | people living in Latvia for the last six months |
| Licence issue | ~$30 |
| Where | road traffic authority customer centres |
The short answer: you can drive in Latvia on a licence from outside the EU for up to one year from arrival. Those who stay longer exchange it for a Latvian licence at the road traffic authority, as a rule by passing a driving test for the relevant category. Only licences from countries that have a licence recognition agreement with Latvia are exchanged without a test: from 2 September 2026, for example, Ukrainian licences.
EU licences are valid in Latvia without an exchange. This article is about licences from third countries, whose holders mainly need to avoid missing the one-year limit and prepare for the test in good time.
How long you can drive on a foreign licence in Latvia
A licence issued outside the EU is valid in Latvia for up to one year from arrival, unless it expires sooner. After a year, driving on it is illegal even if you have a residence permit. Licences from the EU and the European Economic Area are valid for their full term and are exchanged under a simplified procedure.
For driving in Latvia, Vienna Convention model licences are accepted without an international permit. If the licence is not in Latin script, an international permit is handy for roadside checks.
Who exchanges a licence without a test
Licences from countries that have a mutual recognition and exchange agreement with Latvia are exchanged without a test. The agreement with Ukraine applies from 2 September 2026: Ukrainian licences are exchanged for Latvian ones with the same categories, without theory or driving tests. For other non-EU countries, the exchange goes through a driving test at the road traffic authority.
Anyone who has lived in Latvia permanently for the last six months can exchange a licence. The authority requests information on the licence from the issuing country and only after the reply admits you to the test and issues a Latvian licence.
Licences from non-EU countries, including Russia
Latvia has no recognition agreement with Russia, so Russian licences, like those of other countries without an agreement, are exchanged only with a driving test. The authority requests confirmation from the issuing country itself, and a reply from Russia may delay the exchange, so it is worth applying early rather than in the last month of the one-year period.
Documents for exchanging a licence
- a passport or identity card and a residence permit;
- the foreign licence, valid on the day you apply;
- a Latvian-form driver's medical certificate;
- proof that you have lived in Latvia for the last six months, if it is not in the register;
- payment for the licence and the test.
How the exchange works: steps
- Pass a driver's medical with a doctor authorised to issue such certificates.
- Go to a road traffic authority customer centre with your passport and licence and apply for the exchange.
- Wait for the issuing country's reply to the request about the licence.
- Take the driving test for the relevant category if the licence is not from an agreement country.
- Receive the Latvian licence. The foreign licence is handed in.
How much exchanging a licence costs in Latvia
Issuing a Latvian licence on exchange costs about $30 at the European Central Bank rate of 6 October 2026. The driving test at the authority's rate and the driver's medical are paid separately. Many people take a few lessons with an instructor before the test: it follows local rules and routes, and a failed test is retaken with a new payment.
The licence costs about $30, but the one-year limit and the driving test decide everything
The law does not stop you exchanging a licence in Latvia on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fee: applying in the last month of the one-year period before the issuing country has replied, a medical certificate not on the Latvian form, a driving test taken without preparing for local routes and retakes with new payments. Murblz specialists count the period from arrival, apply early, book the medical and the test and find an instructor for preparation. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first application.
The cost of support depends on the issuing country and the categories; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
If your licence has expired
Expired foreign licences are not exchanged in Latvia: renew them in the issuing country first. If that is impossible, a Latvian licence is obtained as if for the first time: driving school, theory and driving tests. Expired EU licences are exchanged under separate rules.
This topic in other countries
Deadlines, tests and documents for exchanging a licence differ in every country, so it is best to plan the exchange before the move, together with the residence permit: that way you will not spend months on taxis or risk a fine and your insurance.
Exchanging a licence in other countries: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey, UAE, Portugal, Cyprus, Paraguay, USA, Italy.
Latvia residence permit
Grounds for residence and timelines.
Learn more →Riga
Districts, prices and life in the capital.
Learn more →Latvia: all programmes
Living, taxes and documents for a move.
Learn more →We will help you exchange your licence without extra visits. Tell us where your licence was issued and when you got your residence permit. We will count the deadline and prepare the documents.
FAQ
How long can you drive in Latvia on a foreign licence?
Is a test needed to exchange a licence in Latvia?
Can a licence from a country without an agreement be exchanged in Latvia?
How much does exchanging a licence cost in Latvia?
Where do you exchange a licence in Latvia?
What happens if you do not exchange within a year?
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