Toll roads in Latvia? How to buy a vignette in Latvia? Fines in Latvia? Parking in Latvia? Autostradas in Latvia? We have collected answers to all these questions for you in this article.
The length of the network of public highways in Latvia is 73,592 km. Of them, 20,131 km are paved.
Toll roads in Latvia
There are no tolls for using highways in Latvia.
Plots with special payment in Latvia
Only entrance to the Jurmala resort area is subject to payment. The entrance fee is charged from April 1 to September 30. The rest of the time — from October 1 to March 31 — entry to Jurmala is free.
Electric vehicles do not need to pay entry tax.
Tariffs for entering the resort area of Jurmala for 2023:
| Vehicle | 1 day | 7 days | 30 days | 90 days | 01.04 – 30.09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| € 2 | €10 | €31 | €55 | € 107 |
During the validity period of the pass, the number of entries is not limited. Pass control is carried out using video cameras. The fine for entering without a pass is €50.
The pass can be bought online at jurmala.lv.
Parking in Riga
Almost all parking in the center of Riga is paid. RP SIA Rigas satiksme parking lots – parking hours are from 08:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays from 09:00 to 17:00. In zone R (Vetsryga), the working hours are from 06:00 to 24:00 every day. The rest of the time, as well as on Sundays and holidays, parking lots can be used free of charge.
The cost of parking in Riga varies depending on the zone in which it is located.
From April 1, 2015, the following tariffs have been established for parking in Riga:
| Zone | fee for the first hour | charge for the next hour |
|---|---|---|
| zone A | € 2.50 | €3.00 |
| zone B | € 2.00 | € 2.50 |
| zone C | € 1.50 | € 2.00 |
| zone D | € 1.00 | € 1.50 |
| zone R (Vecriga) | €5.00 | € 8.00 |
The cost of parking a car in Vetsaki is €2.00 for the entire period from 08:00 to 20:00 (from May 1 to September 30).
Payment for parking in Riga
You can pay for parking at parking meters or by SMS.
When paying at the parking meters, the check for the use of a paid parking lot must be placed in a visible place – on the left side on the front panel of the vehicle in such a way that the controller has the opportunity to verify the presence and content of this document: information about the payment, the validity period and the document number must be visible .
The maximum time of free use of a paid parking lot during work is 5 minutes. The maximum allowed time of free use of the paid parking lot after the end of the payment period is 15 minutes.
Road map of Latvia
The main traffic laws of Latvia
Speed limits in Latvia
Standard speed limits in Latvia (unless otherwise indicated on signs).Cars and motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 110 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 80 km/h
- on the road – 90 km/h
The maximum speed in the residential area is 20 km/h.
Alcohol
Maximum permissible blood alcohol level in Latvia 0.5 ‰ .
If the level of alcohol in the blood is more than 0.5 ‰ and less than 1.0 ‰, then the fine will be from € 430 to 640 and deprivation of the right to drive a car for 12 months.
If the level of alcohol in the blood is more than 1.0 ‰ and less than 1.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 850 to 1,400 and the deprivation of the right to drive a car for three years.
If the level of alcohol in the blood is more than 1.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 1,200 to 2,000, deprivation of the right to drive a car for five years. The same punishment threatens in case of refusal to examine for the presence of alcohol or the presence of narcotic drugs or psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances in the human body.
For drivers whose driving experience does not exceed 2 years, the maximum permissible level 0.2 ‰ .
If the level of alcohol in the blood of such drivers is more than 0.2 ‰ and less than 0.5 ‰, then the fine will be from € 210 to 430 and deprivation of the right to drive a car for a period of up to six months.
Low light
Dipped beam in Latvia is mandatory 24 hours a day all year round. The fine for driving without low beam during the day is 10 euros.
For driving without dipped beam at night or in conditions of poor visibility, the fine is €40.
Transportation of children in Latvia
When transporting children whose height does not exceed 150 cm, special seats or stands that correspond to the age and weight of the child must be installed on vehicles equipped with seat belts.
Violation of this rule will result in a fine of between €30 and €70.
Safety belts
Use of seat belts in Latvia is mandatory for front and rear passengers.
The fine is from €30 to €70 or a warning.
Phoning
In Latvia, it is forbidden to use a phone, tablet or other mobile device that is not equipped with a technical possibility that allows you to conduct hands-free negotiations while driving a vehicle.
The fine is from €25 to €100.
Glass tinting in Latvia
The degree of light transmission of the windshield should be at least 75%, and the front side windows at least 70%.
Driving a vehicle with glass installed that does not comply with legal requirements is punishable by a fine of €85.
Fines in Latvia
Fines should not be paid directly to the police officer at the scene of the violation. Fines are paid within 30 days, or an appeal is filed.
The monetary penalty unit – NSV (1 NSV = 5 EUR) is used to calculate fines.
The appeal must be submitted within 10 working days from the date of notification of the imposition of an administrative penalty.Table of fines for traffic violations in Latvia (Euro):
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Failure to comply with a lawful request of a police officer to stop a motor vehicle | €15 |
| U-turns on bridges and flyovers, overpasses, and pedestrian crossings | €30 |
| Driving in a lane intended for public passenger transport | €40 |
| Driving on the side of the road | €40 |
| U-turn at railway crossings | €55 |
| Movement on bicycle or pedestrian paths or sidewalks | €55 |
| Failure to maintain a safe distance to the vehicle in front | € 25 – 140 |
| Stopping on sidewalks, railroad crossings, or places where it is prohibited | €40 |
| During rain or snow, the windshield wipers on the driver’s side do not work | €30 |
| Overtaking at railway crossings, footpaths and tunnels | €55 |
| Exiting the intersection or crossing the carriageway in the event of a traffic jam, which forced the driver to stop, creating an obstacle for the movement of vehicles in the transverse direction | €30 |
| Oncoming traffic on a one-way road | €55 |
| Entering the lane intended for oncoming traffic while overtaking | €55 |
| Turning to the left or turning in violation of the requirements stipulated by road signs or markings of the carriageway of the road | €30 |
| Lack of emergency signaling during an emergency stop or for disembarking passengers during the day | €30 |
| Lack of emergency signaling during an emergency stop or for disembarking passengers at night or in poor visibility conditions | €40 |
| Passing through a traffic light prohibition signal | € 30 – 140 |
| Aggressive driving | € 70 – 280 |
Fines for speeding in Latvia
Penalties for speeding in populated areas and outside them in Latvia differ.For motorcycles and passenger cars:
| Speeding | ||
|---|---|---|
| up to 10 km/year | warning | warning |
| from 11 km/h to 20 km/h | € 40 or warning | € 20 or warning |
| from 21 km/h to 30 km/h | € 80 | €40 |
| from 31 km/h to 40 km/h | €160 | € 80 |
| from 41 km/h to 50 km/h | € 240 – 320 | € 160 – 220 |
| from 51 km/h to 60 km/h | € 360 – 460 | € 240 – 320 |
| over 60 km/h | € 540 – 680 | € 360 – 480 |
In case of exceeding the speed up to 20 km/h. a warning is possible instead of a fine.
If the speed is exceeded by more than 50 km/h, in addition to the fine, the driver’s license will be revoked for 3 to 6 months.For passenger cars with a trailer:
| Speeding | ||
|---|---|---|
| up to 10 km/year | € 10 or warning | € 10 or warning |
| from 11 km/h to 20 km/h | € 80 | €40 |
| from 21 km/h to 30 km/h | €160 | € 80 |
| from 31 km/h to 40 km/h | €320 | €160 |
| from 41 km/h to 50 km/h | € 480 – 620 | € 320 – 440 |
| from 51 km/h to 60 km/h | € 700 – 880 | € 480 – 640 |
| over 60 km/h | € 1040 – 1400 | € 720 – 960 |
In case of exceeding the speed of more than 50 km/h, in addition to the fine, the driver’s license will be revoked from 6 months to 2 years.
Useful Information
Fuel prices in Latvia
Unleaded gasoline (95 and 98) and diesel fuel are available in Latvia. Gas stations (LPG) are available.
Average prices for all types of fuel according to Statoil data as of 06.12.2023 :
- Unleaded 95 – €1,567
- Unleaded 98 – €1,602
- Diesels — €1,574
- Car gas – € 0.685
Emergency numbers in Latvia
- The European emergency number is 112
- Police – 110
- Ambulance – 113
- LAMB roadside assistance and tow truck services – 1888
Mandatory equipment
Equipment that necessary to have in a car in Latvia:
- Emergency stop sign
- Car first aid kit
- Extinguisher
- Reflective vest – mandatory when exiting a vehicle that has stopped on the road or roadside, at night or in conditions of poor visibility
Driving without an emergency sign, first aid kit or fire extinguisher is punishable by a fine of €10 or a warning.
Winter equipment
Winter tires
The use of winter tires in Latvia is mandatory for vehicles with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tons from December 1 to March 1. In the absence of a fine of € 30.
The minimum tread depth is 3 mm. If the tread depth is less than the minimum allowed, the fine will be between €55 and €140.
Studded tires
Studded tires are allowed to be used from October 1 to April 30.
For the use of studded tires in the period from May 1 to October 1, the fine will be €30.
Anti-slip chains
Anti-skid chains can be used in the event of snow and ice.
Recommended equipment and other rules
The use of radar detectors is prohibited. If detected, a fine of €55 and confiscation of the device itself.