The translation of this document is outdated.
Translation validity: 27.03.2012.–31.12.2012.
Amendments not included:
29.11.2012.,
28.03.2013.,
21.11.2013.,
24.04.2014.,
04.09.2014.,
30.10.2014.,
10.12.2015.,
23.11.2016.,
27.04.2017.,
25.05.2017.,
09.11.2017.,
12.04.2018.,
20.09.2018.,
25.04.2019.
Text consolidated by Tulkošanas Valsts valodas centrs
(State Language Centre) with amending laws of:
20 December 1999 [shall
come into force from 24 January 2000];
20 June 2000 [shall come into force from 19 July
2000];
17 July 2000 [shall come into force from 19 July
2000];
15 February 2001 [shall come into force from 13 March
2001];
8 July 2003 [shall come into force from 1 January
2004];
26 May 2005 [shall come into force from 29 June
2005];
15 December 2005 [shall come into force from 1 January
2006];
19 December 2006 [shall come into force from 1 January
2007];
15 February 2007 [shall come into force from 15 March
2007];
27 September 2007 [shall come into force from 1 June
2008];
15 May 2008 [shall come into force from 1 January
2009];
14 November 2008 [shall come into force from 1 January
2009];
19 February 2009 [shall come into force from 18 March
2009];
12 June 2009 [shall come into force from 1 July
2009];
13 May 2010 [shall come into force from 15 June
2010];
9 September 2010 [shall come into force from 1 January
2011];
3 March 2011 [shall come into force from 6 April
2011];
9 June 2011 [shall come into force from 13 July
2011];
15 December 2011 [shall come into force from 1 January
2012];
15 December 2011 [shall come into force from 1 January
2012];
23 February 2012 [shall come into force from 27 March
2012].
If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the
date of the amending law appears in square brackets at
the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or
clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears
in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph
or clause.
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The Saeima1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following Law:
Road Traffic Law
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Terms Used in this
Law
The following terms are used in this Law:
1) road owner - the State, local government, natural or
legal person who owns the relevant road on the basis of property
rights;
2) road manager - an owner or other natural or legal
person to whom the responsibility (management) of the relevant
road has been transferred;
3) road - any territory constructed for traffic
(motorway, street, boulevard, cross-street and the similar
territories in full width, including the carriageway, footpaths,
shoulders, central reserve and islands). The road system elements
include a road, artificial structures (bridges, viaducts,
tunnels, culverts, drainage installations, support walls and
other structures), road engineering structures (public transport
stopping points, and pavilions, deceleration and acceleration
lanes, vehicle parking places, rest areas, bicycle paths and
footways, road communication and lighting lines and other
engineering structures), technical means of traffic organisation
(traffic signs, traffic lights, signal poles, protective
barriers, pedestrian barriers, vertical and horizontal road
markings and other technical resources);
4) road safety audit - an independent and systematic
inspection procedure of projects (also construction designs) and
the road network, during which potential dangerous points, where
conflict situations may arise, as well as present dangerous
points and sections are evaluated from the point of view of road
safety and an audit report is drawn up regarding the results of
it;
5) road traffic - relations arising from movement on
roads with transport vehicles or without them;
6) a road traffic participant - any person, who is on
the road or directly participating in road traffic;
7) road traffic accident - an accident that has
occurred in road traffic which involves at least one vehicle and
as a result of which an individual has died, he or she has been
caused physical injury, or damage to the property of a legal or
natural person or to the environment has been caused, as well as
when an accident has occurred in some other place, where driving
with a vehicle is possible, and which involves a vehicle;
8) Road traffic regulations - the regulatory
enactment of the Cabinet, which determines the procedures for
road traffic and is binding upon natural and legal persons;
9) the dark hours of the day - from nightfall till the
end of dawning;
10) pedestrian - a person who moves on the road on foot
or by way of an invalid carriage. This term does not apply to
persons, who perform work on the carriageway, and to traffic
controllers;
101) Intelligent Transport Systems - systems
in which information and communication technologies are applied
in the field of road transport (including infrastructure,
vehicles and users), in traffic management and mobility
management, as well as for interfaces with other modes of
transport;
11) motor vehicle - a self-propelled vehicle, which
move on the road under its own power (including tractor-type
machinery and trolley bus), except for rail vehicles;
12) moped - a two wheel or three wheel motor vehicle,
the engine's cylinder capacity of which does not exceed 50 cubic
centimetres (for engines of the spark ignition type) or the
maximum net power of which does not exceed 4 kW (for electric
motors or other type internal combustion engines) and the maximum
designed speed of which exceeds 25 kilometres per hour but does
not exceed 45 kilometres per hour, as well as a four wheel motor
vehicle the unladen mass of which does not exceed 350 kilograms
(excluding battery mass of electrical vehicles), the engine's
cylinder capacity does not exceed 50 cubic centimetres (for
engines of the spark ignition type) or the maximum net power of
which does not exceed 4 kW (for electric motors or other type
internal combustion engines) and the maximum designed speed of
which does not exceed 45 kilometres per hour;
13) motorcycle - a two-wheel motor vehicle (with or
without a sidecar), the engine's cylinder capacity of which
exceeds 50 cubic centimetres and the maximum designed speed of
which exceeds 45 kilometres per hour. This term shall apply also
to snowmobiles;
14) poor visibility - such conditions (fog, rain, snow
and similar conditions), due to which the visibility on the road
is less than 300 meters, also during twilight;
15) emergency vehicle - a motor vehicle to which the
status of emergency vehicle has been assigned in accordance with
the specified procedures and which participates in road traffic
with a flashing blue or blue and red special warning lamp
switched on and a special audible signal switched on;
151) auxiliary engine - an engine, which is
built into the vehicle or installed on it, however, is not
utilised for the propulsion of the vehicle;
16) passenger - a person who is present in a vehicle or
on it (except for the vehicle driver), as well as a person, who
gets into a vehicle, gets out of it or steps out of it;
17) unladen mass - the mass of a vehicle supplied in
accordance with the State standard together with a driver, but
without passengers and freight;
18) trailer (semi-trailer) - a vehicle that is intended
for driving in connection with a mechanical vehicle. This term
does not apply to the sidecars of motorcycles;
19) laden mass - the maximum permissible mass specified
by the manufacturer together with a driver, passengers and
freight. The laden mass for a towing vehicle with a trailer shall
be the sum of the laden masses of the towing vehicle and trailer,
but for a towing vehicle with a semi-trailer - the sum of the
towing vehicle's unladen mass, passengers' mass and
semi-trailer's laden mass;
191) specialised vehicle for tourists - a
mechanical vehicle, which in connection with one or several
trailers intended for carriage of passengers drives following a
certain route;
192) special tractor-type machinery -
tractor-type machinery, which is not intended for the use in the
road traffic by the manufacturer;
20) international transport by road - any carriage by
road vehicles, crossing the border of at least one state;
21) tractor-type machinery - a self-propelled vehicle
on wheels or caterpillar tracks that moves with its own power,
having at least two axles, the main function of which is traction
and which is specially designed to tow, push, carry or power
certain tools, machinery or trailers, and the use of which for
transport of people or loads by roads or traction of vehicles
used for transport of people or loads by roads is only a
secondary function;
22) tram - a vehicle intended for driving along rails
in connection with an external electrical power supply source.
This term shall not apply to electric trains;
23) vehicle - a machine, which by its design is
intended to be driven on a road with or without the help of an
engine;
231) crew member of vehicle -a person who
drives a transport vehicle or travels on it in order to transport
passengers or freight for commercial purposes or for the personal
transport of a natural person or legal person, for whom they
work;
24) vehicle owner- a legal or natural person, who owns
a vehicle. Within the meaning of this Law an owner of a vehicle
of the State or local government shall be considered the direct
or mediated State administrative institution on the name of which
a vehicle has been registered;
241) technical condition of a vehicle -
technical condition and operating characteristics of a vehicle
(in general) and certain systems, parts and parameters thereof,
as well as provision of a vehicle with vehicle equipment provided
for in regulatory enactments;
25) vehicle holder - a natural or legal person,
who uses a vehicle on a legal basis (property renting, lease,
lending contract etc.). A person who uses a vehicle on the basis
of service or employment legal relations shall not be considered
as a vehicle holder;
26) technical specifications of vehicle records - set
of technical data required for the registration of a vehicle;
27) driver's prescheduled medical check-up - the health
examination, in order to specify the presence of medical
contraindications, if the driver has driven a vehicle under the
influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic, psychotropic or other
intoxicating substances or there is a cause for suspicion, that a
driver has medicinal contraindications for driving (illness,
injury);
28) driver of the vehicle - a natural person, who is
driving a vehicle, including during the period of driving skills
examination, which occurs according to the procedures specified
in regulatory enactments, or training a person, who does not have
a driving licence of the relevant category, to drive a vehicle.
This concept applies to a person, who has driven a vehicle, up to
the moment, when another person starts to drive this vehicle;
29) possessor of a vehicle - a person under the legal
possession of which is a vehicle on the basis of right of
inheritance;
30) tricycle and quadricycle - a three-wheel or
four-wheel motor vehicle respectively with symmetrically located
wheels, the designed maximum speed of which is more than 45
kilometres per hour or which has an internal combustion engine
with a cylinder capacity of 50 cubic centimetres or more [unladen
mass of the quadricycle does not exceed 400 kilograms (550
kilograms, if it is intended for the transport of freight) and
power does not exceed 15 kW];
31) trolleybus - a mechanical vehicle intended for
driving on the road in connection with an outer electrical power
supply source;
32) bicycle - a vehicle that is intended for driving
using the muscle force of a human sitting on it (except for
wheelchairs). A bicycle may be equipped with an electric motor,
the power of which does not exceed 0.25 kW;
33) towing vehicle - a mechanical vehicle, which is
driven in connection with a trailer (semi-trailer).
[15 February 2001; 8 July 2003; 26
May 2005; 15 December 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009;
13 May 2010; 3 March 2011; 9 June 2011; 23 February 2012]
Section 2. Purpose of this Law
The purpose of this Law is:
1) to prescribe the organisational and legal basis for road
traffic procedures and road traffic safety in Latvia, in order to
protect human life and health, the environment, as well as
property owned by natural and legal persons; and
2) to regulate the acquisition of property rights, the rights
to hold and to use a vehicle and exploitation rights of motor
vehicles, as well as the liability of owners, holders and
users.
Section 3. Legal Ground of Road
Traffic
(1) The legal ground of road traffic shall be this Law and
other laws, Road Traffic Regulations and other regulatory
enactments of the Cabinet, State standards, as well as
international agreements, to which Latvia is a member state.
(2) The procedures for road traffic shall be determined by the
Cabinet, approving the Road Traffic Regulations.
[8 July 2003]
Section 4. Road Traffic Management
and Provision of Fulfilment of this Law
(1) General management of road traffic shall be effected by
the Cabinet and local government in accordance with the
competence thereof.
(2) Road traffic management shall be effected by the Ministry
of Transport, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of
Agriculture in accordance with the competence thereof.
(3) The Ministry of Transport shall organise and co-ordinate
the development and implementation of the State policy, as well
as shall perform the State supervision upon observance of the
laws and other regulatory enactments in the field of road traffic
safety. The Minister for Transport shall issue deeds connected
with road traffic safety.
(4) The State Police shall ensure the procedures on the roads
in accordance with the Law on Police, regulate the movement of
vehicles and pedestrians, perform supervision of traffic, control
the state of the roads, as well as the technical condition of the
technical means for traffic organisation and vehicles.
(5) The Road Traffic Safety Directorate shall register
vehicles, grant and annul licences for driving a means of
transport and issue driving licences, ensure and maintain the
State register of vehicles and their drivers, carry out the State
technical inspection of vehicles and control the technical
condition of vehicles in operation, the training process of
drivers, give the authorisation to participate in road traffic,
perform a road safety audit and general supervision, on the basis
of the information, which is provided by the Information Centre
of the Ministry of the Interior in accordance with the procedures
and in the amount specified by the Cabinet, ensure statistics
regarding road accidents and analysis thereof, as well as perform
other operations connected with road traffic safety in accordance
with the competence thereof. The Road Traffic Directorate within
the competence thereof shall issue a deed connected with road
traffic safety. The Cabinet shall issue regulations regarding the
approval of a price list for services of the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate specified in the regulatory enactments, as well as
determine the range of persons who shall be released from the
payment for the referred to services.
(51) The Road Traffic Safety Directorate shall
ensure the operation of the Riga Motor Museum, maintain and
develop museum holdings as a part of the National museum
holdings, ensure the availability of museum values for the
public, carry out the scientific research and educating of the
public.
(6) The State Technical Supervision Agency shall register the
tractor-type machinery and trailers thereof, perform the
technical inspection of the tractor-type machinery and trailers
thereof, and control operationally the technical condition of
existing tractor-type machinery, the process of training process
of the tractor-type machinery drivers and instructors, and give
permission to participate in road traffic, and grant and annul
driving licences for the tractor-type machinery and issue
drivers' licences for the tractor-type machinery, as well as
shall ensure and maintain an information system for the
tractor-type machinery and drivers thereof. The State Technical
Supervision Agency shall, for the public services provided,
collect a fee in the amount specified by the Cabinet.
(7) The Ministry of Education and Science shall ensure the
teaching of the Road traffic regulations and the basics of road
traffic safety in pre-school and general school education
institutions by programmes co-ordinated with the Road Traffic
Safety Directorate.
(8) The Latvian State Roads shall supervise road construction,
repair, reconstruction and maintain them in a safe condition in
accordance with regulatory enactments and standards in the field
of road traffic safety, perform the co-ordination of construction
and reconstruction projects of objects connected with road
traffic and monitor the traffic organisation and the compliance
of the location of the technical means thereof with requirements
of the mandatory applicable standards in Latvia and other
regulatory enactments.
(9) The Ministry of Agriculture shall develop draft regulatory
enactments regarding the road traffic safety issues with respect
to the tractor-type machinery and the use of trailers thereof in
the road traffic, as well as implement the monitoring of the
State Technical Supervision Agency in accordance with the
procedures specified in regulatory enactments.
[15 February 2001; 8 July 2003; 26
May 2005; 15 December 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009;
13 May 2010; 9 June 2011]
Section 4.1 Trade in
Vehicles and Units Bearing Identification Numbers thereof
(1) Trade in vehicles and units bearing identification numbers
thereof (vehicle bodywork, cabins or frames upon which the
vehicle manufacturer indicates a vehicle identification number)
is the selling of such goods in the performance of commercial
activities.
(2) A merchant who according to the procedures specified in
regulatory enactments has installed and registered a vehicle
trade location, has the right to engage in the trade of vehicles
(except for trams, trolley-busses and bicycles) and units bearing
identification numbers thereof.
(3) The trade location in vehicles and units bearing
identification numbers thereof (except for tractor-type
machinery, trailers and units bearing identification numbers
thereof) shall be registered by the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate. The trade location in tractor-type machinery,
trailers and units bearing identification numbers thereof shall
be registered by the State Technical Supervision Agency. The
procedures for the registration of vehicle trade locations shall
be determined by the Cabinet.
(4) The requirements for the trade in vehicles and numbered
units thereof, as well as for the use of the State registration
number plate for trade shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[15 December 2005; 15 February
2007; 13 May 2010]
Chapter II
Basic Rules of Transport Safety on Roads
Section 5. Requirements in Respect
of Road Equipping
Any road shall be equipped with the necessary road engineering
structures and technical means of traffic organisation in
accordance with the requirements of mandatory standards,
technical norms and regulations.
Section 6. Duties of the Road
Manager
(1) The road manager has a duty:
1) to ensure, that the road is continuously maintained in a
state safe for traffic in accordance with the regulatory
enactments and standards in the field of road traffic safety;
2) to organise the traffic and ensure the maintaining of the
road, artificial structures and engineering structures thereof,
as well as the technical means of traffic organisation in working
condition in accordance with the regulatory enactments and
standards in the field of road traffic safety;
3) to ensure, that obstacles, which disturb the traffic and
endanger safety thereof, shall be eliminated, but, in case it is
not possible, to ensure the equipping of the dangerous places
with the appropriate technical means of traffic organisation
until the elimination of such obstacles;
4) to ensure that road accidents are analysed thus constantly
improving the traffic organisation;
5) to control the procedures for performance of road
works;
6) to ensure performance of the road safety audit;
7) to fulfil the prescripts of the officials of the Ministry
of Transport and the Ministry of Interior, which have been issued
within the competence thereof, within the periods of time and in
accordance with the procedures specified; and
8) to pay damages to persons, which have arisen to them in the
case of non-fulfilment of these duties.
(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for road safety
auditing and the certification procedures for road safety
auditors.
(3) The daily requirements for maintenance of the State and
local government motorways and the procedures for the control of
the fulfilment thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 15
December 2005]
Section 7. Road Construction, Repair
and Reconstruction Design
(1) Projects for the construction, repair and reconstruction
of engineering structures and railway level crossings shall
comply with the Laws and other regulatory enactments in effect
and road traffic safety regulations. The compliance of the
projects with the referred to requirements shall be approved by a
designer. Projects shall be co-ordinated with the Latvian State
Roads.
(2) An opinion shall be received from the Latvian State Roads
regarding the compliance of the road construction, repair and
reconstruction objects to be put into service with the regulatory
enactments and standards in the field of road traffic safety.
[15 February 2001; 8 July 2003; 26
May 2005]
Section 8. Restriction or
Prohibition of Traffic
(1) The road manager may temporarily restrict or prohibit
traffic, if unfavourable road, climatic or other conditions have
arisen (sports competitions, public events etc. are intended),
which endanger traffic safety. The procedures for the restriction
or prohibition of traffic shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(2) The police officials and other officials, who are
authorised for that by laws and other regulatory enactments, may
restrict or prohibit traffic within the competence thereof in
special emergency cases while performing service duties.
(3) During an emergency situation and state of exception the
road traffic restrictions may be determined in accordance with
the regulatory enactments regarding emergency situations and
state of exception.
[8 July 2003; 9 June 2011]
Chapter III
Vehicles and Registration Thereof
Section 9. Use of Vehicles in Road
Traffic
(1) In the territory of Latvia in road traffic it is allowed
to use registered vehicles, the design and technical condition of
which comply with the requirements of mandatory applicable
standards and norms, in respect of which the vehicle owner's
compulsory third party liability insurance of land means of
transport has been performed and which have been allowed to
participate in road traffic.
(2) Motor vehicles, except for motor-cycles, tricycles,
quadricycles, trolley buses and tractor-type machinery shall have
two State registration number plates, but motor-cycles,
tricycles, quadricycles, mopeds, tractor-type machinery, mopeds
and trailers - one State registration number plate. Plates shall
be attached to the place intended for such purpose. Two
registration numbers shall be painted on the trolley buses, trams
and specialised vehicles for tourists.
(21) If a device intended for transport of bicycles
or additional baggage is installed on a vehicle and such device
or baggage to be transported with it covers the installed number
plate, the vehicle may be granted one number plate marked with
the identical combination of symbols, if the manufacturer of the
device has intended the place for the installation of the number
plate.
(3) The conditions for the use of specialised vehicles for
tourists, the type of vehicles and itinerary shall be determined
by the relevant local government upon evaluation of the criteria
of public necessity and safety thereof.
(4) It is prohibited to drive an automobile, which is
permanently registered in a foreign state, in the road traffic in
the territory of Latvia, except the cases referred to in
Paragraph five of this Section, for a person who is a citizen or
non-citizen of Latvia, as well as for a person who has received a
registration certificate, a permanent residence certificate or
residence permit issued in Latvia.
(5) The persons referred to in Paragraph four of this Section
may drive an automobile permanently registered in a foreign state
in the territory of Latvia in the following cases:
1) a person is driving the automobile, which is leased
(rented) by a person carrying out entrepreneurial activities
registered in a foreign state who is dealing with automobile
leasing (renting) and the driver of the vehicle attests it with a
lease (rent) contract of the vehicle and a vehicle registration
licence issued in a foreign state where the grantor (leaseholder)
of the vehicle is indicated as the owner (holder, possessor) of
the vehicle;
2) a person is driving the automobile in the presence of the
owner (holder, possessor) of the vehicle or an authorised person
thereof who is not the person referred to in Paragraph four of
this Section;
3) a person is engaged abroad in paid employment or is
studying in the educational institution or in the company that is
located abroad, or carrying out entrepreneurial activities as an
individual merchant or self-employed person abroad;
4) a person is the owner (participant) or official of such
right-holder registered in a foreign state, which is carrying out
entrepreneurial activities;
5) a person holds an elected office in a decision-making body
of a local government of another European Union Member State;
6) a permit (registration certificate) for residence in
foreign states has been issued to the person;
7) the automobile is driven by a person who is his or her
spouse, the first degree relative (including adoptee or adopter)
or the second degree relative of such owner (holder, possessor)
of the automobile who may drive the referred to vehicle in the
territory of Latvia in accordance with the provisions of this
Section; and
8) in case other than referred to in Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
or 7 of this Paragraph, but for not more than five days counting
from the day when a person in compliance with the Cabinet
Regulation referred to in Paragraph six of this Section has
received a permit to participate in the road traffic and not more
than two times per calendar year.
(6) So that the person referred to in Paragraph four of this
Section could drive an automobile in the territory of Latvia in
the road traffic in the cases provided for in Paragraph five of
this Section, he or she shall receive a permit for participation
in the road traffic from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate. The
Cabinet shall determine the cases and procedures, by which the
Road Traffic Safety Directorate grants and withdraws a permit for
participation in the road traffic for the persons referred to in
Paragraph four of this Section.
[26 May 2005; 19 February 2009; 13
May 2010; 3 March 2011; 9 June 2011]
Section 10. Vehicle Registration
(1) Vehicles involved in the road traffic shall be
registered:
1) by local governments in accordance with the procedures
specified by them - trams, trolley buses and specialised vehicles
for tourists;
2) by the State Technical Supervision Agency - tractor-type
machinery and trailers thereof; and
3) by the Road Traffic Safety Directorate - other mechanical
vehicles and trailers thereof.
(11) The registration of the vehicles involved in
the road traffic referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and 3 of
this Section shall be performed within five days after the date
of acquisition of vehicles or bringing in of vehicles acquired
abroad.
(12) The vehicles referred to in Paragraph one,
Clauses 2 and 3 of this Section, which are registered in a
foreign country, shall be registered in Latvia if they are
located in Latvia for more than three months, take part in the
road traffic and their owners are foreigners or legal persons
(unions of persons with legal capacity) registered in a foreign
state.
(13) The registration of the vehicles involved in
the road traffic and referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and
3 of this Section shall be performed in the following cases:
1) within five days if the owner (holder, possessor) indicated
in the registration certificate of the vehicle or any of the
technical specifications of the records is changed;
2) until the next technical inspection or until departure with
this vehicle from the State if the name, surname or firm name of
the holder indicated in the registration certificate of the
vehicle is changed; or
3) until departure with the vehicle from the State, if the
name, surname or firm name of the vehicle owner indicated in the
registration certificate of the vehicle is changed and the owner
himself or herself or a person who is not indicated in the
registration certificate of the vehicle leaves the State with
this vehicle.
(14) The procedures for registration and removal
from the register of the vehicles involved in the road traffic
and referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Section
shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(2) A vehicle shall be registered on the name of its owner
(natural person or legal person). If a vehicle has several
owners, it shall be registered on the name of a co-owner - a
natural or legal person - upon mutual agreement of all
co-owners.
(21) A person, who is not a citizen or non-citizen
of Latvia and who has not received a registration certificate,
permanent residence certificate or residence permit issued in
Latvia, may register a vehicle in Latvia for a time period up to
six months.
(3) Vehicles owned by the State or local government shall be
registered on the name of its direct or indirect administrative
institution of the State, which acts with these vehicles in
accordance with the procedures specified in laws and other
regulatory enactments.
(4) Before a judgement of a court regarding the inheritance or
receipt of an inheritance certificate the possible heir, upon
presentation of documents certifying this fact, may register a
vehicle on his or her name as the vehicle possessor. If the
possible heirs are several, they may agree, which one of them
will be the vehicle possessor. The drawing up of this agreement,
as well as other operations to be performed in respect of the
vehicle, which concern the rights of other possible heirs, shall
be done in the Road Traffic Safety directorate or in the State
Technical Supervision Agency respectively at the presence of all
possible heirs or under the condition, that a written consent,
which is attested by a notary or other person indicated in
Section 1474 of the Civil Law, by all possible heirs has been
submitted. Alienation of this vehicle shall be prohibited up to
the judgement of a court or receipt of an inheritance
certificate.
(5) A vehicle shall be registered on the name of such natural
person, who has reached the age of 18 or who in accordance with
Section 220 of the Civil Law has been proclaimed as a person of
legal-age, except for the cases, when a vehicle is only inherited
by minors. If a vehicle is only inherited by minor persons (one
or several), it shall be registered on the name of the minor
person and the data regarding his or her guardian shall be
indicated in the registration certificate.
(6) Vehicles, which in accordance with Section 24 of this Law
are allowed to be driven from the age of 14 or 16, may be
registered on the name of a natural person, who has reached the
age of 16 upon the consent of his or her parents (guardians).
(7) Technological units-trailers, which are transferred
temporarily along the roads in the territory of Latvia, shall not
be registered in Latvia. Inventory and procedures for the
transfer of technological units-trailers shall be regulated by
the Road Traffic Regulations.
(8) It is prohibited to register:
1) motor vehicles, which according to their design are
intended for driving on the left side of the road. This
requirements shall not apply to specialised mail vehicles,
specialised road service vehicles, specialised vehicles intended
for waste disposal, vehicles which according to the procedures
specified in regulatory enactments are to be registered as
historical self-propelling vehicles, and vehicles which are
imported from abroad temporarily;
2) motor vehicles (except for tractor-type machinery and
trailers thereof) and trailers, of which the international
manufacturer identification code has not been assigned to the
manufacturers. The international manufacturer identification code
shall be assigned in accordance with the State standard LVS
88:1997 Transportlīdzekļu marķēšana [Marking of Vehicles].
This requirement shall not apply to vehicles, which are
previously registered abroad;
3) wood lorries the dimensions of which exceed the values
provided for in the Road Traffic Regulations.
(9) The Road Traffic Safety Directorate or the State Technical
Supervision Agency shall refuse vehicle registration, if the
vehicle register has the information, that a vehicle or units
bearing identification numbers thereof have been declared missing
or there is a cause for suspicion, that the unit numbers or other
data required for registration, which the manufacturer has
indicated on a vehicle or presented number plate, or the
documents submitted for registration are false. The Road Traffic
Safety Directorate or the State Technical Supervision Agency
shall immediately inform the State police regarding the decision
taken and justification thereof, as well as transfer to it the
documents submitted for registration and number plates, if there
are suspicions regarding forgery of number plates. The State
Police shall examine and inform the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate or the State Technical Supervision Agency, whether
there is the right to register the respective vehicle in the
vehicle register.
[20 June 2000; 8 July 2003; 26 May
2005; 26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009; 13 May
2010; 3 March 2011]
Section 10.1 State Fee
for Registration of Vehicles to be Registered with the State
Technical Supervision Agency
The State fee for registration of vehicles shall be paid
before registration of vehicles with the State Technical
Supervision Agency. The rates, procedures for the payment and
exemptions from the State fee for registration of vehicles to be
registered with State Technical Supervision Agency shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
[26 May 2005; 9 June 2011]
Section 10.2 Bicycle
Registration
(1) Registration of bicycles is voluntary and it is allowed to
participate in the road traffic also with non-registered
bicycles.
(2) Bicycle registration shall be carried out by the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate.
(3) Legal regulation determined in Sections 9, 10,
10.1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15.1, 16 and 17
of this Chapter shall not be applicable in respect of
bicycles.
(4) The procedure for the registration of bicycles shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
[13 May 2010]
Section 11. Documents Required for
Vehicle Registration
(1) The following documents shall be submitted to the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate or the State Technical Supervision
Agency respectively for a vehicle registration:
1) submission for registration. If a vehicle is owned by
several owners, all operations to be performed in respect of the
vehicle, which concern the rights of other co-owners, shall be
done in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or in the State
Technical Supervision Agency respectively at the presence of all
co-owners or under condition, that a written consent, which is
attested by a notary or other person indicated in Section 1474 of
the Civil Law, by all co-owners has been submitted. If the
co-owners cannot agree on the name of which co-owner the vehicle
will be registered, the dispute shall be settled by a court;
2) documents, which attest the technical specification of the
vehicle records (for a previously registered vehicle -
registration certificate, for a previously non-registered vehicle
- a document issued by the manufacturer of the vehicle or an
authorised representative thereof and other documents, which
attest to the origin or fact of sale of a particular
vehicle);
3) [13 May 2010]; and
4) a document certifying proprietary rights (if a vehicle has
not been previously registered on the name of the person
indicated in a submission) or documents attesting, that the
person is the possessor of the vehicle (if a vehicle is
registered on the name of the possessor before the receipt of a
judgement of a court regarding inheritance or receipt of an
inheritance certificate).
(2) If a vehicle is the joint property of spouses, a spouse,
on the name of which a vehicle has been registered, in the case
of alienation (sale, gift, change) thereof shall be attested in
writing, that the other spouse has no claims in respect of the
alienation of the vehicle.
(3) If a vehicle re-registration of a vehicle from the owner's
(alienor) name to the name of another person (acquirer) is
performed at the presence of both persons or authorised persons
thereof in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or the State
Technical Supervision Agency respectively, the acquirer shall not
submit a document attesting proprietary rights. These cases apply
only to vehicles, which have been registered previously in the
Republic of Latvia and to the acquirers of which a registration
certificate will be issued.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 13 May
2010]
Section 12. Documents Attesting
Proprietary Rights
(1) In order to register a vehicle, the owner thereof shall
submit documentary evidence regarding the legal acquisition of
the vehicle. The documents need not be submitted if an alienator
has made a note in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers
regarding the transfer of the vehicle into the ownership of the
acquirer.
(2) Documents, by which proprietary rights are to be
proved:
1) an extract from the notarial deed book or agreement
attested in accordance with the specified procedures (Section
1474 of the Civil law) regarding the alienation of a vehicle
(gift, purchase, exchange or something similar), an agreement of
division of joint property or an agreement regarding the
termination of a joint property;
2) an inheritance certificate, a judgement of a court
regarding inheritance, division of a heritage, joint property or
joint estate of spouses, recognition of ownership rights and the
acquisition thereof by prescript or on another basis for the
acquisition of ownership rights provided for in the Civil
Law.
3) a billing statement, which is issued by a merchant engaged
in trade in vehicles;
4) a document regarding the acquisition of a vehicle
abroad;
5) a deed regarding the transfer of a vehicle registered in
the Republic of Latvia and owned by an alienator - legal person
into the ownership of the acquirer;
6) a deed regarding the transfer of a vehicle owned by the
insurance policy holder - a legal person or natural person - in
the ownership of the insurer provided for in the Law On Insurance
Companies and Supervision Thereof in connection with the
occurrence of the insurable event;
7) a document regarding a vehicle legally won in a lottery or
in other way;
8) a documents regarding the legitimisation of a vehicle
manufactured or rebuilt in Latvia;
9) a statement from archives and other documents certifying
the proprietary rights.
(3) The following information shall be indicated in all these
documents: the owner's name and surname (name of a legal person),
address and technical records of the vehicle (registration
number, make, model, unit numbers, registration certificate
number) in such amount, which gives the possibility to identify a
certain vehicle.
(4) If a vehicle has been imported into Latvia from abroad, in
addition to the documents certifying proprietary rights a
document, that the importation of the vehicle has been documented
in accordance with the procedures specified by Customs, shall be
submitted to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or the State
Technical Supervision Agency respectively.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 15
December 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009]
Section 13. Vehicle Registration
Certificate
(1) The vehicle registration certificate is a document, in
which the technical records of a vehicle shall be indicated, as
well as data regarding the owner (possessor, holder) of the
vehicle.
(2) Only one registration certificate shall be issued to each
vehicle. It shall not exclude the possession of a vehicle to
several owners.
(3) If a vehicle is owned by several owners, a registration
certificate shall be issued on the name of one co-owner with a
mark "joint property".
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005]
Section 14. Registration of a
Vehicle Alienation, Registration and other Prohibitions, as well
as Registration of a Commercial Pledge Mark
(1) Vehicle alienation, registration and other prohibitions,
as well as a commercial pledge mark shall be registered and
deleted in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or the State
Technical Supervision Agency respectively. In the cases
determined by the regulatory enactments a prohibition shall also
be registered by other persons - in such cases, if the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate or the State Technical Supervision
Agency ensures it in the relevant register, registration shall be
performed electronically.
(2) Vehicle alienation, registration and other prohibitions,
as well as a commercial pledge mark shall be registered on the
basis of the regulatory enactments, a submission of the owner
(identifying the submitter) indicated in the registration
certificate of a vehicle or a decision of the officials specified
in the law, or the adjudication of court. A prohibition shall be
cancelled on the basis of regulatory enactments, a submission of
that person, by the initiative of which a prohibition has been
registered, a decision of the officials specified in the law or
the adjudication of court. If a submission is submitted by an
authorised person on behalf of the owner indicated in the
registration certificate of a vehicle, a special reference to
register or cancel the prohibition note shall be included in the
authorisation. An authorisation requires a notarised
certification or certification of any other person specified in
Section 1474 of the Civil Law.
(21) Prohibitions of alienation, registration or
other prohibitions of a vehicle owned by an insolvent debtor
shall be registered and deleted electronically by the insolvency
administrator of the debtor.
(3) If the prohibition of vehicle alienation, registration or
other prohibition has been registered, a vehicle may not be
deleted from the register for alienation or bringing out of the
state, a commercial pledge mark and change of owners may not be
registered or other activities indicated in the registered
prohibition may not be performed.
(4) A commercial pledge mark shall be entered in the
respective vehicle register on the basis of the true copy,
extract or copy of the application of the commercial pledger and
the commercial pledgee, which is received from the holder of the
Commercial Pledge Register. A mark shall be registered, if there
are no legal obstacles for the pledging of the respective
vehicle. The holder of the Commercial Pledge Register shall be
informed regarding the registration of a mark or the refusal to
register.
(5) If a prohibition to take out or drive out with it from
Latvia has been specified for a commercial pledger, pledging a
vehicle, this prohibition shall also be indicated in the
respective vehicle register. A new registration certificate of a
vehicle with a prohibition note shall be issued to him or her
upon the request of the owner of a vehicle.
(6) It is prohibited to delete from the register a pledged
vehicle upon the request of the owner or register a change of
owners without the consent of the commercial pledgee regarding
which information from the holder of the Commercial Pledge
register shall be requested.
(7) In the case of the utilisation of the commercial pledge
rights a submission for the deleting of a vehicle from the
register or re-registration shall be submitted by the commercial
pledgee. A true copy of a notification submitted to the holder of
the Commercial Pledge Register with a note, that an adjudication
of a court regarding the prohibition to sell pledged property for
a commercial pledgee or a notification in electronic form with
such content has not been received from the Commercial Pledge
Register, shall be attached in addition to a submission.
(8) A note of the commercial pledge shall be deleted on the
basis of the notification from the holder of the Commercial
Pledge register.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 15
February 2007; 23 February 2012]
Section 14.1
Accessibility of Information Present in the State Register of
Vehicles and Drivers
(1) Information regarding the vehicle owned by a natural
person, identifying the personal data, is restricted access
information and it may only be obtained by law enforcement
institutions, the State and local government institutions, as
well as persons specified by the Cabinet, to whom such
information is necessary for the performance of work or service
functions.
(2) Information regarding a vehicle owned by a legal person,
regarding the rights of a person to drive a vehicle, regarding
penalties of the person, which have been applied regarding road
traffic violations, not paid within a time period prescribed by
the law, as well as other information present in the State
Register of Vehicles and Drivers is generally accessible
information.
(3) A vehicle owner (possessor, holder) is entitled to receive
all information regarding his or her vehicle present in the State
register of Vehicles and Drivers, including the information
regarding the persons which have committed administrative
violations with the respective vehicle, regarding the penalties
imposed to these persons and amount thereof, regarding
prohibitions applied to a vehicle etc.
(4) A vehicle owner (holder, possessor) is entitled to obtain
information regarding persons, who have received the information
specified in Paragraph one of this Section regarding him or her
from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate, except for information
regarding the State authorities, which are performers of criminal
proceedings, manager of the body performing investigatory
operations, bodies performing investigatory operations, or other
authorities regarding such information that they are prohibited
to reveal by the law.
(5) The Road Traffic Safety Directorate shall register only
those persons who have obtained the restricted access information
referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.
(6) The recipient of the information referred to in Paragraph
one of this Section shall be liable regarding, that the relevant
information is used only for the performance of his or her work
or service functions and is not entitled to transfer it to third
persons.
(7) In providing statistical information or other information
of a general character, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate shall
ensure that it is not possible to identify the owner of the
particular vehicle.
(8) The procedures, by which the information present in the
State Register of Vehicles and Drivers is to be requested and
provided to the public, as well as the scope of available
information, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(9) The Road Traffic Safety Directorate, on the basis of the
information provided to the State Register of Vehicles and
Drivers by the State Police, shall notify the owner of a vehicle,
that the user of the respective vehicle has not got the right to
drive.
(10) Records in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers
have public credibility.
(11) Provision of the information present in the State
Register of Vehicles and Drivers to foreign competent
institutions shall be permissible by taking into account the
international agreements binding on Latvia and European Union
legislation.
[15 December 2005; 15 February
2007; 23 February 2012]
Section 15. Manufacture and
Rebuilding of Vehicles
(1) In Latvia vehicles may be manufactured by a capital
company registered in accordance with the specified procedures
and for which standard technical documentation for the
construction of newly designed vehicles has been developed,
co-ordinated and registered and to which an international
identification code of manufacturer has been granted (except for
tractor-type machinery and trailers thereof).
(2) Standard technical documentation for construction of newly
designed vehicles (except for tractor-type machinery), and
trailers thereof shall be co-ordinated with and the international
identification code of the manufacturer shall be granted by the
Road Traffic Safety Directorate in accordance with the procedures
specified by the Cabinet.
(3) The installation, modification, replacement or disassembly
of units, sub-assemblies, systems, equipment of vehicles as a
result of which the vehicle's technical records or main
construction parameters are changed, shall be considered as the
rebuilding of vehicles.
(4) The relevant opinion from the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate or a person of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate
accredited for this purpose regarding the compliance of the
rebuilt motor vehicles and trailers thereof (except for tractor
type machinery and trailers thereof) and technical designs for
rebuilding of mopeds or motor vehicles, trailers thereof (except
for tractor type machinery and trailers thereof) rebuilt
individually with the requirements of traffic safety and
technical norms shall be received. In evaluating the rebuilt
motor vehicles or the trailers thereof conformity to the
requirements of regulatory enactments, the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate or a person of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate
accredited for this purpose in addition shall control that the
discharge of polluting substances, which are caused by the
auxiliary engines, which are built in for use in vehicles
intended for road traffic or installed on them, do not exceed the
emission limit values specified in environmental protection
regulating regulatory enactments.
(5) The opinion regarding the compliance of the rebuilt
tractor-type machinery with the requirements of traffic safety
and technical norms shall be received from the State Technical
Supervision Agency.
(6) The procedures for the performance of vehicle rebuilding,
the requirements in respect of vehicle design and equipment after
the rebuilding, as well as the procedures, by which the opinion
regarding the compliance of the vehicle with the requirements of
traffic safety and technical norms is to be received, shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 3
March 2011]
Section 15.1 Conformity
Assessment of Vehicles and the Components thereof
(1) In order to ensure the conformity of motor vehicles and
tractor-type machinery, the trailers and components thereof to
safety, ecological and harmlessness requirements, conformity
assessment thereof shall be performed.
(2) The certification of motor vehicles (except for
tractor-type machinery, the components and trailers thereof), the
trailers and components thereof shall be performed by the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate, but testing - by the Road Traffic
Safety Directorate or a testing laboratory the competence of
which has been evaluated by the Standardisation, Accreditation
and Metrology Centre. The Road Traffic Safety Directorate in
performing the conformity assessment of motor vehicles or the
trailers thereof shall in addition control that the discharge of
polluting substances, which are caused by the auxiliary engines,
which are built in for use in vehicles intended for road traffic
or installed on them, do not exceed the emission limit values
specified in environmental protection regulating regulatory
enactments.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 14
November 2008; 12 June 2009; 3 March 2011]
Section 16. Periodic Technical
Inspection of Vehicles and the Technical Road Side Inspection of
Vehicles
(1) The periodic technical inspection of vehicles shall be
performed to control the technical condition of vehicles, as well
as to update the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers and
informative system of tractor-type machinery and drivers thereof,
to discover missing vehicles and perform the control functions
specified in regulatory enactments, which are related with
participation in road traffic. In order to constantly control the
technical condition of vehicles, which participate in road
traffic and which are used for commercial transport, technical
road side inspection of such vehicles shall be performed.
(2) If during the periodic technical inspection of vehicles it
is determined, that a vehicle is in running order and complies
with the requirements of traffic safety and environmental
protection and the requirements specified in other regulatory
enactments connected with participation of vehicles in road
traffic (for example, annual fee of a vehicle has been paid, fine
imposed has been paid and the vehicle owner's compulsory third
party liability insurance has been made) have been fulfilled, the
Road Traffic Safety Directorate or the State Technical
Supervision Agency respectively shall issue a permit to
participate in road traffic. A permit to participate in road
traffic is attested by the documents and stickers specified in
Section 25, Paragraph one of this Law, which are the printouts
from the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers.
(3) The periodic technical inspection of motor vehicles and
trailers thereof (except tractor-type machinery and trailers
thereof) shall be performed by the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate, but the control of the technical condition of a
vehicle within the scope of the technical control of vehicles -
by the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or by a person accredited
in the Road Traffic Safety Directorate for such purpose. The
accredited person may not perform commercial activities
simultaneously, which are connected with the trade, maintenance,
repair or renewal of vehicles, as well as the technical control
of the vehicles owned (possessed, held) by him or her.
(4) The periodic technical inspection of tractor-type
machinery and trailers thereof shall be performed by the State
Technical Supervision Agency. The technical control of trams,
trolley busses and specialised vehicles for tourists shall be
ensured by the local governments. The periodic technical
inspection of special tractor-type machinery shall not be
performed.
(5) The periodic technical inspection of vehicles shall be
performed not later than within five days after the first
registration of the respective vehicle in Latvia. Further
periodic technical inspections shall be performed in accordance
with the time period indicated in the permit for participation in
road traffic.
(6) A permit for the participation in road traffic shall be
granted for 12 months, but in order to ensure a smooth division
of the number of vehicles per year by months, this time period
may be specified by up to 13 months. A permit for the
participation in road traffic for a bus, passenger taxi, as well
as for a vehicle intended for driver training and respectively
registered, shall be granted for six months, but in order to
ensure a smooth division of number of vehicles per year by
months, this term may be specified for a time period up to seven
months.
(61) The first periodic technical inspection of
tractor-type machinery the duration of the engine running of
which does not exceed 250 engine hours - except for public
utility self-propelled tractor-type machinery, universal
self-propelled machines and earth-moving machinery -
corresponding to driving licences of A, B and D category
tractor-type machinery previously non-registered in Latvia or
abroad shall be performed not later than 24 months after the
registration of the relevant vehicle for the first time in
Latvia. In registering such vehicles, a permit for the
participation in road traffic is granted concurrently for 24
months. Further periodic technical inspections shall be performed
and a permit for the participation in road traffic shall be
granted by observing the provisions of Paragraph five, second
sentence and Paragraph six of this Section. If in performing
technical road side inspection of vehicles, non-compliance of
such tractor-type machinery with the requirements of the
regulatory enactments is determined, the relevant permit for the
participation in road traffic shall be cancelled in the cases
provided for and in accordance with the procedures determined in
the Cabinet Regulation referred to in Paragraph seven of this
Section.
(62) Provisions of this Law regarding issuance of a
permit for the participation in road traffic and periodic
technical inspection of vehicles shall not apply to:
1) the control of the technical condition of trams,
trolleybuses and specialised vehicles for tourists that is
ensured by local government. A city council of local government
shall issue regulations that determine the relevant control
authorities, the competence thereof and procedures for the
implementation of the control of the technical condition;
2) mopeds and off road vehicles that temporary participate in
the road traffic; and
3) vehicles that have been registered abroad and that
participate in the road traffic with a transit number plates.
(7) The procedures, by which the periodic technical inspection
of vehicles and the technical road side inspection of vehicles
are performed, shall be determined by the Cabinet. The
requirements in respect of the technical condition of vehicles,
as well as the evaluation criteria for the fulfilment of these
regulations shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(8) A contestation and appeal of a decision regarding a permit
to participate in road traffic shall not suspend the operation
thereof.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 19
February 2009; 9 June 2011; 15 December 2011]
Section 17. Emergency Vehicles
Legal persons, the list of which, as well as the procedures
for the use of emergency vehicles shall be approved by the
Cabinet, are entitled to use emergency vehicles. Emergency
vehicles shall be marked and equipped in accordance with the
requirements of the mandatory standards in the Republic of
Latvia.
Section 18. Prohibition to
Participate in Road Traffic
It is prohibited to participate in road traffic with a
vehicle, as well as to drive in Latvia in the following
cases:
1) a vehicle has damages specified in regulatory enactments
due to which it may not drive;
2) a permit to participate in road traffic has not been
received, also the vehicle owner's compulsory third party
liability insurance has not been performed;
3) unauthorised dangerous goods are carried or there is a
leakage of dangerous goods;
4) dimensions with a cargo or without it of a vehicle (vehicle
composition), actual mass or axle weight exceeds the values
provided for in the Road Traffic Regulations and has not got the
relevant permit for driving on the road; or
5) the requirements regulated in the Road Traffic Regulations
regarding placement and securing of cargo have been violated.
[8 July 2003]
Chapter IV
Duties and Rights of Participants in Road Traffic
Section 19. General Duties and
Rights of Participants in Road Traffic
(1) Participants in road traffic shall fulfil the requirements
of this Law, the Road Traffic Regulations and other regulatory
enactments, which determine the duties of participants in road
traffic; shall fulfil instructions of police officers and
instructions of those persons, which have been authorised to
regulate the traffic, as well as shall observe the requirements
of traffic light signals, road signs and road designations.
(2) If an emergency vehicle approaches, other road users shall
give way to it, in order that the emergency vehicle and vehicles,
which are escorting it, may drive without hindrance.
(3) Participants in road traffic and other persons shall act
in such a way, as not to cause dangerous or troublesome
situations in the traffic and not to cause damages.
(4) Each participant in road traffic has the right to
consider, that other persons also fulfil the requirements
specified in the Road Traffic Law.
(5) A driver has the right to know the reason for the stoppage
of his or her vehicle, as well as the name, surname and position
of an official, who has stopped him or her.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005]
Section 20. Duties and Rights of
Vehicle Owners, Possessors and Holders
(1) A vehicle owner (possessor, holder) has the duty to
perform everything necessary in order that vehicles in his or her
use, to which a permit to participate in the road traffic has not
been given or to which a prohibition to participate in road
traffic apply, shall not be used in road traffic.
(2) A vehicle owner, possessor and holder may not allow a
person to drive the vehicle, which is under the influence of
alcoholic, narcotic, psychotoxic or other intoxicating
substances.
(3) The vehicle owner, possessor and holder may not allow a
person to drive a vehicle, who does not have the right to drive
of the relevant category, except for the cases when a driver
training or check of driver skills are being carried out in
accordance with the procedures specified in the Road Traffic
Regulations.
(4) Vehicle owner, possessor and holder compulsory third party
liability insurance shall be performed in accordance with the
procedures specified in laws and other regulatory enactments.
(5) A vehicle owner (possessor, holder) has a duty to provide
information upon the request of the State Police regarding a
person, who drove a vehicle or had the right to use a vehicle, if
the driver has not been ascertained at the moment of the
determination of a violation.
[8 July 2003; 13 May 2010; 23
February 2012]
Section 21. Authorities for
Operations with Vehicles
(1) An authorisation (special authorisation, general power of
attorney or universal authorisation) issued for the alienation of
a vehicle or removal from the register shall have a special
indication regarding the permit to alienate the vehicle or to
remove it from the register. An authorisation issued by a natural
person requires a notarised certification or certification of any
other person specified in Section 1474 of the Civil law. An
authorisation for the alienation of a vehicle owned by the legal
person or its removal from the register shall be issued by the
owner of the vehicle, and the certification of a person indicated
in Section 1474 of the Civil Law is not compulsory in such case.
An authorisation shall not be submitted if the registered owner
of the vehicle has made a notation in the State Register of
Vehicles and Drivers regarding the authorisation granted for the
removal of a vehicle from the register or transfer of a vehicle
in the ownership of the acquirer.
(2) [19 February 2009]
(3) [19 February 2009]
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 19
February 2009; 13 May 2010]
Section 22. Training of Drivers and
Issuance of a Driving Licence
[19 February 2009]
(1) The right to drive vehicles and a driving licence may be
acquired by a person who has reached the age specified in the
law:
1) whose permanent place of residence is in Latvia or who can
prove that the last six months he or she has studied in Latvia.
Within the meaning of this Section a person's permanent place of
residence is Latvia if any of the following conditions
exists:
a) a place of stay and declared place of residence of a person
at least 185 days per calendar year is in Latvia due to personal
commitment (commitment that indicates regarding a close link of
the relevant person with Latvia) and work commitment,
b) a person does not have work commitment, but whose place of
stay and declared place of residence in Latvia is due to personal
commitment (commitment that indicates regarding close link of the
relevant person with Latvia),
c) a person resides abroad due to work commitment, but he or
she returns and resides in Latvia on regular basis due to
personal commitment (commitment that indicates regarding close
link of the relevant person with Latvia) and his or her declared
place of residence is in Latvia,
d) a declared place of residence of a person is in Latvia, but
his or her residing abroad is related with studies;
2) who has passed an examination of theoretical knowledge and
driving skills in accordance with the procedures determined in
regulatory enactments;
3) who has undergone health examination in accordance with the
procedures determined in regulatory enactments and who does not
have any medical contraindications for driving. Health care
practitioners having a relevant certificate of health care
practitioner shall provide information regarding the presence or
absence of medical contraindications to the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate and the State Technical Supervision Agency; and
4) for whom the acquisition of such rights has not been
prohibited for a certain time period and for whom there is no
valid prohibition for use of a driving licence or a driving
licence has not been revoked in Latvia, another Member State of
the European Union or Member State of the European Free Trade
Association.
(2) A term of validity of a driving licence of AM, A1, A2, A,
B, B1 or BE category vehicles shall be 10 years, but for a
driving licence regarding the right to drive also C1, C, D1, D,
C1E, CE, D1E, DE, TRAM or TROL category vehicles - five years. A
term of validity of a driving licence for tractor-type machinery
shall be 10 years. The procedures for the acquisition and renewal
of the right to drive a vehicle and the procedures and time
periods for the issuance, change and renewal of the driving
licence shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(21) The procedure for the training of drivers of
vehicles intended for carriage of dangerous goods, the procedure
for the acquisition of the right to drive and the procedure for
the issuance, change and renewal of the a driving licence shall
be determined by the Cabinet.
(3) A merchant or an educational institution, the document
regulating the operation of which provides for the relevant
training programme, has the right to engage in the theoretical
training and driving training of drivers, including the training
of tractor-type machinery drivers. Drivers shall be allowed to
instruct a person individually without performing commercial
activities if the person driving a vehicle of the respective
category has at least 3 years of driving experience and only with
vehicles corresponding to driving licences of A1, A, B1 un B
categories.
(31) A merchant or an educational institution that
wishes to engage in the training of drivers of vehicles shall
receive a training licence. The training licence is a document
that gives the right to engage in the training of drivers of
vehicles of the category indicated therein in a particular
training premises and that certifies that the training premises
comply with the requirements determined in the regulatory
enactments. The training licence shall be issued by the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate, for the training of tractor-type
machinery drivers - the State Technical Supervision Agency.
(4) Requirements for the merchants, educational institutions
and specialists, which provide training of drivers, training
programmes for drivers, as well as the procedures for the control
of training process of drivers, shall be determined by the
Cabinet.
(5) Training driving shall be allowed for persons having the
basic knowledge of the road traffic regulations. Initial training
driving shall be performed in demarcated areas.
(6) In participating in the road traffic, a person who is
learning to drive with a mechanical vehicle (except trolley bus)
shall have a learner's driving licence or a document attesting
the right to drive mechanical vehicles. The duty of the relevant
person is to present such document upon the request of police
officers.
(7) The requirements for the examination inspectors of vehicle
(except tractor-type machinery) drivers shall be determined by
the Cabinet.
[15 February 2001; 8 July 2003; 26
May 2005; 15 December 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009;
13 May 2010; 3 March 2011]
Section 23. Categories of Driving
Licences and Vehicles Appropriate for these Categories
(1) Vehicles (except tractor-type machinery) corresponding to
categories of driving licences:
1) AM - mopeds;
2) A1 - motor-cycles, the engine cylinder capacity of which
does not exceed 125 cubic centimetres, the power does not exceed
11 kilowatts and the ratio of power to weight does not exceed 0.1
kilowatt per kilogram, as well as tricycles, the power of which
does not exceed 15 kilowatts;
3) A2 - motor-cycles the power of which does not exceed 35
kilowatts and a power to weight ratio does not exceed 0,2
kilowatts per kilogram and which are not derived from vehicles of
more than double power thereof;
4) A - motorcycles, as well as such tricycles, the power of
which exceed 15 kilowatts;
5) B1 - quadricycles;
6) B - motor vehicles, except for A category motor-cycles, the
laden weight of which does not exceed 3500 kilograms and which
are constructed and designed for the carriage of not more than
eight passengers in addition to the driver, as well as the
connection of such road tractor with trailer, the laden weight of
which does not exceed 750 kilograms. The connection of this
category road tractor with trailer is permitted, the laden weight
of which does not exceed 750 kilograms if the laden weight of
such connection does not exceed 4250 kilograms;
7) C1 - motor vehicles, which are not included in D1 or D
category the laden weight of which exceeds 3500 kilograms, but
does not exceed 7500 kilograms and which are constructed and
designed for the carriage of not more than eight passengers in
addition to the driver, as well as the connection of such road
tractor with trailer, the laden weight of which does not exceed
750 kilograms;
8) C - motor vehicles, which are not included in D1 or D
category the laden weight of which exceeds 3500 kilograms and
which are constructed and designed for transport of not more than
eight passengers in addition to the driver, as well as the
connection of such road tractor with trailer, the laden weight of
which does not exceed 750 kilograms;
9) D1 - motor vehicles, which are constructed and designed for
the carriage of not more than 16 passengers in addition to the
driver, and the length of which does not exceed 8 metres, as well
as the connection of such category road tractor with a trailer,
the laden weight of which does not exceed 750 kilograms;
10) D - motor vehicles, which are constructed and designed for
the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the
driver, as well as the connection of such category road tractor
with a trailer, the laden weight of which does not exceed 750
kilograms;
11) BE - connection of a B category road tractor with a
trailer or semi-trailer, the laden weight of which does not
exceed 3500 kilograms;
12) C1E - connection of a C1 category road tractor with a
trailer or semi-trailer, the laden weight of which exceeds 750
kilograms, if the laden weight of such a connection does not
exceed 12 000 kilograms, or connection of a B category road
tractor with a trailer or semi-trailer, the laden weight of which
exceeds 3500 kilograms, if the laden weight of such connection
does not exceed 12 000 kilograms;
13) CE - connection of a C category road tractor with a
trailer, the laden weight of which exceeds 750 kilograms;
14) D1E - connection of a D1 category road tractor with a
trailer, the laden weight of which exceeds 750 kilograms;
15) DE - connection of a D category road tractor with a
trailer, the laden weight of which exceeds 750 kilograms;
16) TRAM - trams;
17) TROL - trolley buses.
(2) A driver, who has the right to drive a vehicle of one
category, is allowed to drive also the following vehicles of
another category:
1) with a driving licence of A category vehicle - A1, A2
category vehicles;
2) with a driving licence of B category vehicle - B1 category
vehicle;
3) with a driving licence of C category vehicle - C1 category
vehicle;
4) with a driving licence of D category vehicle - D1 category
vehicle;
5) with a driving licence of A2 or B category vehicle - A1
category vehicle;
6) with a driving licence of CE category vehicle - C1E
category vehicle;
7) with a driving licence of DE category vehicle - D1E
category vehicle;
8) with a driving licence of any motor vehicle or tram - AM
category vehicle.
(3) A driver, who has the right to drive a trolley bus and the
relevant note has been made in a driving licence, is allowed to
drive a passenger public transport corresponding to D1 and D
category in a populated area.
(4) A driver, who has the right to drive a vehicle of B
category and who has passed an examination of driving skills in
accordance with the procedures determined in regulatory
enactments and for whom the relevant notation has been made in
the driving licence, is allowed to drive a connection of a B
category road tractor with a trailer the laden weight of which
exceeds 750 kilograms, if the laden weight of such connection
exceeds 3500 kilograms.
(5) A driver, who has the right to drive B, C1, D1, C or D
category vehicles, is allowed to drive also specialised vehicles
for tourists.
(6) Provisions of Paragraphs one, two, three, four and five of
this Section except for the condition referred to in Clause 8 of
Paragraph two shall not be applicable to tractor-type machinery
driving licences.
(7) Tractor-type machinery corresponding to categories of
tractor-type machinery driving licences:
1) A - tractors, public utility self-propelled tractor-type
machinery and universal self-propelled machines with a total mass
up to 7500 kilograms;
2) B - all tractors, public utility self-propelled
tractor-type machinery, earth-moving machinery and universal
self-propelled machines;
3) C - excavators and self-propelled loaders;
4) D - agricultural self-propelled machines;
5) E - motor graders;
6) F - forest harvesting and thinning machinery and
maintenance machines;
7) G - road building machines; and
8) H - other special self-propelled vehicles.
(8) If a driver drives the vehicle of another category,
including tractor-type machinery, only with a driving licence of
AM, A1 or TRAM category vehicles, it shall be considered that the
driver does not have any driving licence, while he or she is
driving the relevant vehicle. This condition in respect of
driving licences of A1 and TRAM category vehicles shall not apply
to the condition referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 8 of this
Section.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 15
December 2005; 15 May 2008; 19 February 2009; 3 March 2011; 9
June 2011]
Section 24. Age Limits for Drivers
and Participants in Road Traffic of Certain Categories
(1) In order to acquire a driving licence, a person shall have
reached the following age:
1) 14 years - for the acquisition of AM category driving
licence;
2) 16 years - for the acquisition of A1 and B1 category
driving licence;
3) 18 years - for the acquisition of A2, B, BE, C1 and C1E
category driving licence;
4) 21 years - for the acquisition of C, CE, D1, D1E, TRAM and
TROLL category driving licence;
5) 24 years - for the acquisition of A, D and DE category
driving licence. An A category driving licence may be acquired by
a person who has reached the age of 20 if his or her experience
as a driver of A2 category vehicle is at least two years. A
person, who has reached at least the age of 21 year, is allowed
to drive a tricycle the power of which exceeds 15 kilowatts;
6) 16 years - for the acquisition of a driving licence of A
category tractor-type machinery;
7) 17 years - for the acquisition of a driving licence of all
types of tractor-type machinery.
(2) Persons in military service may acquire a driving licence
of the C, CE, D1 and D category from the age of 19 years.
(3) The training of persons to drive a vehicle is allowed not
earlier than two years before the reaching of the specified age
for the acquisition of the driving licence of the relevant
category.
(4) It is allowed to ride a bicycle without being accompanied
by an adult, to drive a cart, to ride or to drive a herd on the
road from the age of 12.
[8 July 2003; 19 December 2006; 15
May 2008; 3 March 2011]
Section 25. Duties of Drivers
(1) A driver of a motor vehicle shall have the following
documents, which must be presented upon the request of police
officers, border guards or customs staff (in the bonded
zones):
1) a driving licence;
2) the registration documents for vehicle;
3) [27 September 2007];
4) documents, which in accordance with this Law and other
regulatory enactments, are required for a driver, in order to
drive the respective vehicle (emergency vehicle or similar
vehicle) or to transport the relevant cargo (dangerous,
over-size, over-weight and similar cargo);
5) [15 December 2005];
6) any of the following documents (stickers):
a) a visual information (sticker) with the term of validity of
the permit for participation in the road traffic, which is
adhered to the windshield of automobile or tractor-type machinery
or on a special base in the case of a motorcycle, trailer
(half-trailer), sports automobiles, tractor-type machinery or
special military vehicle;
b) a visual information (sticker) with the term of validity of
the temporary permit for participation in the road traffic, which
is adhered to the windshield of automobile or tractor-type
machinery or on a special base in the case of a motorcycle,
trailer (half-trailer), sports automobiles, tractor-type
machinery or special military vehicle;
c) a document regarding the performed technical road side
inspection of a vehicle;
d) one day permit for participation in the road traffic issued
by the Road Traffic Safety Directorate or drawn up electronically
in order to perform the technical inspection.
(11) A moped driver shall have the documents
referred to in Paragraph one, Clauses 1 and 2 of this
Section.
(2) A driver before driving shall check whether the vehicle is
in running order and is commissioned, including with first aid
kit that complies with the regulatory enactments regarding the
minimum medicinal material necessary for the provision of the
first aid, as well he must keep track of the technical condition
of the vehicle on the road.
(3) A driver shall observe the requirements of this Law, the
Road Traffic Regulations and other regulatory enactments
regulating road traffic, travelling on the roads, as well as in
other places, where transport movement is possible.
(4) If a driving licence has been revoked for a specified or
unspecified time period, a driving licence shall be considered as
invalid from the day, when the relevant decision is notified to
him or her. A driver has a duty to hand over the invalid driving
licence within 10 days to the Road Traffic Safety Directorate,
the State Technical Supervision Agency or the State Police. If a
person has not handed over the driving licence and the use of it
is determined, the driving licence shall be suspended. A driving
licence shall be suspended and destroyed by officials of the
State Police, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate and the State
Technical Supervision Agency. The cases when a driving licence is
to be destroyed and the procedure by which a driving licence is
to be destroyed shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[20 December 1999; 17 July 2000; 8
July 2003; 25 May 2005; 15 December 2005; 15 February 2007; 27
September 2007; 19 February 2009; 13 May 2010; 9 June 2011; 15
December 2011]
Section 26. Right to Drive
Vehicle
(1) The right to drive a vehicle allows a person to drive a
vehicle of the appropriate category, to transport passengers and
cargo, to train persons individually to drive vehicles and
perform other operations allowed for a driver in regulatory
enactments, participating in road traffic.
(2) Person's right to drive a vehicle shall be attested by an
entry in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers or in the
informative system of tractor-type machinery and drivers thereof
and a valid driving licence. During the period of examination of
driving skills, the right of the driver to drive the vehicle
shall be attested by a valid drivers licence or learner
permit.
(3) The experience of a driver of a vehicle shall be counted
from the date that the person obtains the relevant category
vehicle drivers licence.
[8 July 2003; 15 February 2007]
Section 27. Action of Participants
to Road Traffic in Case of a Road Traffic Accident
(1) Any participant to road traffic shall do as much as
possible in order to provide first aid to victims in a road
traffic accident.
(2) If people have suffered or damage has occurred to the
property of third person as a result of a road traffic accident,
as well as if damage to vehicles has been caused due to which
they can not move, a driver shall:
1) stop immediately and stay at the scene of the accident,
switch on emergency lights and set up an emergency hazard sign,
but, if this is not possible, shall notify other road traffic
participants regarding the road traffic accident by some other
means;
2) do everything possible, in order to provide first aid to a
victim, immediately call for health care or another rescue
service, but, if that is not possible, shall deliver a victim by
his or her own or other passing vehicle to the nearest medical
institution and return to the scene of the accident;
3) do everything possible, in order to retain the track of the
event at the place of the accident, and shall record the name,
surname and address of witnesses;
4) notify the Police regarding the road traffic accident (or
other rescue service) and act further in accordance with its
instructions.
(3) If the vehicles involved in the road traffic accident
referred to in Paragraph two of this Section prevent other
vehicles to pass the scene of the road traffic accident, drivers
shall clear the carriageway after the recording of the position
of the vehicles involved in the road traffic accident and other
objects.
(4) If people have not suffered in the road traffic accident
and damages to the property of a third person have not been
committed, as well as damage to vehicles has not been caused, due
to which they could not move, the drivers shall act in accordance
with the procedures specified in the Road Traffic
Regulations.
(5) If only one vehicle is involved in the road traffic
accident, and people have not been injured and damage to the
property of a third person has not occurred, the driver shall act
in accordance with the procedures specified in the Road Traffic
Regulations.
(6) A driver is prohibited to use alcoholic beverages,
narcotics or psychotropic substances after the road traffic
accident until the carrying out of the check-up required for the
determination of the state of intoxication or discharge from such
check-up in accordance with the specified procedures.
[8 July 2003]
Section 28. Prohibition to Drive
(1) The following persons are prohibited to drive:
1) if any of the following conditions exist:
a) the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.5 promils for a
driver, whose experience in driving motor vehicles exceeds two
years,
b) the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.2 promils for a
driver, whose experience in driving motor vehicles is less than
two years,
c) the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.2 promils for a
driver who is driving vehicles corresponding to D1, D, D1E, DE,
TRAM and TROL category,
d) the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.5 promils for a
driver of a moped and bicycle - if;
2) ones under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic,
other substances of intoxication or medicinal products, which
reduce reaction time and attention;
3) ones who are ill or tired to such a degree, that it could
affect the capacity to drive and road traffic safety;
4) a driver who does not have a driving licence of the
appropriate category; or
5) a person for whom the revoking of the right to drive a
vehicle has come into effect.
(2) It is prohibited to learn to drive a vehicle:
1) if the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.2 promils;
2) being under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic,
other substances of intoxication or also medicinal products,
which reduce reaction time and attention; or
3) being ill or tired to such a degree, that it could affect
the capacity to drive and road traffic safety.
[8 July 2003; 15 February 2007; 13
May 2010; 9 June 2011]
Section 29. Revoking of the Right to
Drive a Vehicle
(1) The right to drive vehicle may be revoked for a specified
or unspecified time period.
(2) Revocation of the right to drive a vehicle for the time
period specified in the law as a means of influencing a driver's
behaviour shall be applied, by imposing a penalty regarding the
administrative offences provided for in the law or in accordance
with the demerit point system, as well as in the cases specified
in the Criminal Law.
(3) The right to drive a vehicle shall be revoked for an
indefinite period if there is a relevant opinion of a medical
expert-examination that medical contraindications for driving
have arisen for a driver.
(4) The time period for a vehicle driver has had the right to
drive a vehicle revoked shall not be counted in the experience of
the driver.
(5) If the right to drive is revoked for a person for a year
or more or the right to drive is revoked for driving a vehicle
under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic,
psychotropic or other intoxicating substances, as well as if a
prohibition to use the right to drive has been determined for a
person within the scope of the demerit point system, a person
shall pass an examination of theoretical knowledge and driving
skills in accordance with the procedures determined in the
regulatory enactments regarding acquisition and renewal of the
right to drive.
[8 July 2003; 15 February 2007; 9
June 2011]
Section 30. Prohibition to Use the
Right to Drive Vehicle
(1) Prohibition to use the right to drive a vehicle shall be
determined by the official of the State Police for a driver,
which has committed a criminal offence against road traffic
safety under the influence of alcohol, narcotic or other
intoxicating substances regarding which he or she may be held
criminally liable, or has committed an offence regarding which
revocation of the right to drive a vehicle is intended. In such
case a driver is prohibited to use the right to drive a vehicle
and his or her driving licence shall be suspended up to the time,
when the official of the State Police or performer of procedures
in the criminal case takes the relevant decision.
(2) The right to drive a vehicle may not be used, if:
1) the term of validity of a driving licence has expired - up
to the receipt of a new licence;
2) the name, surname or personal identification number
indicated in a personal identification document fails to comply
with the information specified in a driving licence and the
driving licence has not been replaced within 30 days - up to the
receipt of a new licence;
3) the fine imposed regarding infringement of the Road Traffic
Regulations has not been paid within a year from the day of
imposing of the fine - up to the payment of the fine;
4) a driver has not performed the current health examination
or the prescheduled medical check-up in accordance with the time
period specified in regulatory enactments - up to the health
examination;
5) within the scope of the demerit point system a coercion
measure has been applied - prohibition of the use of right to
drive vehicles;
6) the driving licence issued abroad does not conform to the
requirements referred to in Section 47, Paragraph one of this Law
or the driving licence issued abroad, which conforms to the
requirements referred to in Section 47, Paragraph one of this
Law, has not been exchanged in conformity with the conditions in
Section 47, Paragraph two of this Law;
7) the driving licence has been stolen or lost and within 30
days from the day of registration of the relevant information in
the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers a new driving licence
has not been received; or
8) a prohibition to use the right to drive vehicles is in
effect for a person or the right to drive vehicles has been
revoked in a foreign country.
(3) The relevant entry in the State Register of Vehicles and
Drivers, as well as in the informative system of tractor-type
machinery and drivers thereof, shall be made regarding the
prohibition to use the right to drive vehicles. Data regarding
invalid driving licences shall be included in the register of
invalid documents in accordance with the procedures specified by
the Cabinet. Contestation or appeal of the registration of the
prohibition the exercise the right to drive vehicles shall not
suspend the operation thereof.
(4) If a driver infringes the prohibition specified to use the
right to drive, his or her driving licence shall be
suspended.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 19
February 2009; 13 May 2010; 3 March 2011; 9 June 2011]
Section 30.1 Medical
Check-ups for Vehicle Drivers and Persons who wish to Acquire a
Vehicle Drivers Qualification
(1) The conformity of the health condition for the driving of
the relevant category of vehicle for Cabinet determined at a
medical check-up for a vehicle driver or a person who wishes to
acquire a vehicle drivers qualification shall be attested to by
information that a medical treatment institution has entered into
the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers.
(2) The medical check-ups shall be allocated as follows:
1) first time check-ups;
2) regular check-ups; and
3) prescheduled check-ups.
(3) A first time medical check-up shall be performed by a
person who wishes to acquire a vehicle drivers qualification.
(4) A vehicle drivers regular medical check-up shall be
performed by:
1) M, A1, A, B1, B and BE category vehicle drivers, as well as
tractor-type machinery and other self-propelled machinery drivers
every 10 years, for persons who have reached 60 years of age -
every three years; and
2) C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E and DE category vehicle drivers,
as well as trams and trolley-bus drivers every five years, for
persons who have reached 60 years of age - every three years.
(5) A prescheduled medical check-up shall be performed by
vehicle drivers who have been convicted regarding the driving of
a vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic,
psychotropic or other intoxicating substances. In order for a
vehicle driver to re-acquire the right to drive, he or she shall,
according to the procedure specified in Paragraph seven of this
Section, undergo a prescheduled medical check-up regarding the
results of which a medical treatment institution shall enter the
information in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers.
(6) There is a right to send a vehicle driver for a
prescheduled medical check-up if there exists a justifiable
suspicion that the vehicle driver has the medical
contraindications for the driving of vehicles specified by the
Cabinet.
(7) The procedures by which medical check-ups for vehicle
drivers and persons who wish to acquire a vehicle drivers
qualification shall be conducted, the procedures by which a
vehicle driver shall be sent for a prescheduled medical check-up
if there exists a justifiable suspicion that the vehicle driver
has the medical contraindications for the driving of vehicles, as
well as the procedures by which driving licences shall be taken
away from vehicle drivers who have the medical contraindications
for the driving of vehicles, shall be determined by the
Cabinet.
(8) The procedures by which the expenditures for the
prescheduled medical check-up of vehicle drivers shall be covered
shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[8 July 2003; 15 February 2007; 15
May 2008; 13 May 2010; 9 June 2011]
Chapter V
Working Time of Crews of Vehicles
[26 May
2005]
Section 31. Requirements in Respect
of Organisation, Observation and Records of Working Time of Crews
of Vehicles
(1) The requirements in respect of the organisation,
observation and recording of working time of crews of vehicles
who perform carriage with vehicles to which Regulation (EC) No
561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15
March 2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation
relating to road transport and amending Council Regulations (EEC)
No 3821/85 and (EC) No 2135/98 and repealing Council Regulation
(EEC) No 3820/85 [hereinafter - Regulation (EC) No 561/2006]
applies, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(2) Exceptions, when the requirements of Regulation (EC) No
561/2006 are not applied, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[15 February 2007]
Section 31.1 Installation
of Recording Equipment for Registration of Working Time and Rest
Periods, Driving Distances and Speed
(1) [15 February 2007]
(2) A control recording device shall be installed, inspected
and sealed in the vehicle by the inspection authority, which has
been accredited by the Standardisation, Accreditation and
Metrology Centre in accordance with the requirements of the
standard LVS EN ISO/IEC 17020:2005 "General criteria for
authorities of different types" regarding which the Ministry of
Economics has published a notification in the newspaper
"Latvijas Vēstnesis" [the official Gazette of the
Government of Latvia], and which has submitted to the Ministry of
Transport the seals referred to in Article 1(5)(b) of the Council
Regulation (EC) No 2135/98 of 24 September 1998 amending
Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road
transport and Directive 88/599/EEC concerning the application of
Regulations (EEC) No 3820/84 and (EEC) No 3821/85 and a sample of
the installation plate referred to in Article 12(4) of Council
Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 of 20 December 1985 on recording
equipment in road transport.
[15 December 2005; 15 February
2007; 14 November 2008; 12 June 2009]
Section 31.2 Duration of
Working Time of the Crew of Vehicles
(1) The weekly working time of a crew of a vehicle may not
exceed 48 hours, taking into account that a week is a time period
between 00.00 on Monday and 24.00 on Sunday.
(2) The crew may be employed above the working time specified
in Paragraph one of this Section, but not by more than 60 hours
per week. In such case the average weekly working time over four
months may not exceed 48 hours.
(3) An employer upon agreement with representatives of the
employee may change the working time specified in Paragraph two
of this Section, if the average weekly working time over six
months does not exceed 48 hours.
(4) If a crew performs the work at night from 01.00 up to
05.00, then the total working time per twenty four hours may not
exceed 10 hours. An employer upon agreement with the
representatives of the worker, may change the referred to working
time at night, specifying, that it is at least a four hour time
period from 00.00 to 07.00.
(5) In order to ensure the observance of the conditions
referred to in this Section, working time accounting shall be
performed.
(6) The conditions regarding the length of the working time of
a crew of a vehicle referred to in this Section shall applied
only in such cases when carriage is performed with vehicles to
which Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006 or the European Agreement
concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International
Road Transport (AETR) applies.
[15 December 2005; 15 February
2007]
Section 32.
[8 July 2003]
Section 33.
[8 July 2003]
Section 34.
[26 May 2005]
Section 35.
[26 May 2005]
Chapter VI
Road Traffic Organisation
Section 36. Purpose of Road Traffic
Organisation
The purpose of road traffic organisation is to ensure a
continuous, rhythmical and fast road traffic, as well as to
guarantee the maximum safety thereof.
Section 37. Basic Rule for Road
Traffic Organisation
In Latvia vehicles move on the right hand side of the
road.
Section 38. Technical Means of Road
Traffic Organisation
(1) Traffic on roads shall be organised using road signs, road
markings, traffic lights, fencing for transport and pedestrian
traffic and other technical means, which comply with the
requirements of mandatory standards and other norms in
Latvia.
(2) Placement, installation and removal of technical means of
traffic organisation shall be performed by the road manager in
accordance with the co-ordinated project documentation or upon
co-ordination with the Latvian State Roads. A consent regarding
placement, installation and removal of technical means of traffic
organisation shall apply to the compliance with the standards in
the field of road traffic safety.
(3) The road manager shall be liable regarding the
installation of the technical means of road traffic organisation
in a timely manner and maintaining thereof in working order.
(4) [15 February 2001]
[15 February 2001; 9 June 2011]
Section 39. Planning and Design
In planning the building of a city, populated areas and
residential sectors of a city, as well as designing dwelling
houses, public buildings and other objects, it is necessary to
envisage developments, in order to ensure convenient and safe
traffic, sufficient number of parking spaces, the possibility to
drive near the buildings and other objects.
Section 40. Co-ordination of
Operations to be Performed on a Road or in the Immediate Vicinity
Thereof
(1) If it is intended to perform an operation on a road or
immediate vicinity thereof, which may affect road traffic safety
(to organise mass or sport measures, provide trade or other
services, place advertising objects or information objects,
objects for trade, public catering or other services etc.), these
activities shall be co-ordinated with the Latvian State Roads, as
well as an authorisation of the road manager (owner) and land
owner shall be obtained.
(2) Regulations regarding the placement of advertising and
information objects along the roads, as well as the procedures,
by which the placement of advertising or information objects is
to be co-ordinated, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(3) [9 June 2011]
(4) Organisation of mass or sport measures shall also be
co-ordinated with the territorial police institutions.
[15 February 2001; 8 July 2003; 26
May 2005; 9 June 2011]
Section 41. Control and Supervision
of Road Traffic
(1) The road traffic shall be regulated and supervised by the
employees of the police and other persons authorised for that in
the laws and other regulatory enactments.
(2) Persons, who are authorised to actively control the
traffic on roads, as well as persons, who supervises the traffic,
shall wear the relevant uniform which is clearly visible at all
times of the day with elements of light reflective material and
with a distinguishing sign, as well as they shall carry a service
identification document.
Section 42. Duties of Persons
Working on Roads
(1) Persons performing work on the carriageway shall wear
working clothes clearly visible at all times of the day with
elements of light reflective material.
(2) The performer of road construction and repair work shall
ensure that the working places on the roads are equipped with
road signs, as well as restrictive and diverting devices in
accordance with the requirements specified by the Cabinet.
(3) During the hours of darkness of the day and under poor
visibility conditions the visibility of these places shall be
ensured by means of light reflective materials. In instances,
when warning light signals are to be used in addition to the
light reflective materials, as well as the procedures for the use
thereof, shall be determined by technical norms.
[15 February 2001; 26 May 2005]
Chapter
VI1
Intelligent Transport Systems
[23 February
2012]
Section 42.1 Purpose and
Operation of Intelligent Transport Systems
(1) The purpose of intelligent transport systems is to ensure
innovative services in respect of road transport and traffic
management, as well as to provide the possibility for road users
to have better access to information and to use transport
networks in a more safe, harmonised and efficient way.
(2) The processing of personal data in the context of the
operation of intelligent transport systems applications and
services shall be carried out in accordance with national
regulatory enactments regarding personal data protection,
processing and free circulation of such data.
(3) Personal data shall only be processed insofar as such
processing is necessary for the operation of intelligent
transport systems applications and services.
Chapter VII
Special Features of Administrative Liabilities in Cases of
Violation of Regulatory Enactments Regulating Road Traffic
Safety
[8 July
2003]
Section 43. Administrative Offence
of Road Traffic
In order to ensure road traffic safety and protect human life,
health and property, persons shall be held administratively
liable for the violation of regulatory enactments regulating road
traffic safety.
[8 July 2003]
Section 43.1 Demerit
Point System
(1) In order to affect the behaviour of drivers, encouraging
safe driving and the observance of the regulatory enactments on
road traffic, as well as to lessen endangering human life, health
and property, the administrative offences of drivers shall be
registered in the Punishment Register, but recording driving
offences - in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers.
(2) Maximum number of points to be registered is 10 points for
drivers the driving experience of which is less than two years
and 16 points - for other drivers.
(3) The maximum number of points to be registered for one
violation shall be eight points.
(4) In accordance with the offence committed the points
registered shall be in effect from two to five years depending on
the seriousness of the offence.
(5) The following coercion measures shall be applied to
drivers in accordance with the demerit point system:
1) a warning, sending the information by post or
electronically to a driver regarding the number of points
registered for him or her;
2) training sessions (seminars) on matters of road traffic
safety;
3) training sessions (seminars) on matters of safe
driving;
4) examination on matters of road traffic safety;
5) examination of driving skills;
6) prohibition to use the right to drive for one year, if the
maximum number of points has been reached, or longer, while the
maximum number of points remain.
(6) A vehicle driver shall lose the right to drive and may
obtain it again not earlier than after five years, if the
prohibition to use the right to drive is applied repeatedly
during 10 years for reaching the maximum number of points.
(7) The rules for the application of the demerit point system,
in regulating the offences to be registered, the points
corresponding to offences, the limitation period thereof, the
procedures for the recording the registration and deletion of
driving offences, the procedures for the exchange of information,
and the procedures by which the information present in the
register is to be notified to a driver, as well as the procedures
for the application of coercion measures to the behaviour of
drivers shall be determined by the Cabinet.
[26 May 2005; 15 December 2005; 19
February 2009; 23 February 2012]
Section 43.2 Specific
Characteristics in the Administrative Procedure in Connection
with the Violation of Parking Provisions
(1) If parking provisions has been infringed, but a driver is
not present at the place of offence, persons, who are entitled to
draw up an administrative offence report and impose a penalty,
shall draw up a report - notification, where the following
information shall be indicated:
1) the date of drawing up of report - notification;
2) the authority, the official of which has imposed the
penalty, and the position, name, surname of the person, who has
drawn up the report-notification;
3) the date and time of determination of the offence;
4) the place where the offence was committed (name, address of
the city or other populated area);
5) the make of the vehicle and its State registration
number;
6) the Paragraph of the Road Traffic Regulations
infringed;
7) a decision regarding the imposing of fine and amount of
fine;
8) the time period for payment of the fine;
9) the payment order prerequisites and the authorities, where
it is possible to pay a fine;
10) the procedures for the contestation (appeal) of a decision
taken; and
11) information regarding the consequences, which arise, if
the fine is not paid.
(2) If a driver arrives at the place of commitment of the
offence during the determination of the offence of parking, the
procedures for the imposing of a penalty shall not change and the
report-notification shall be drawn up.
(3) The fine imposed shall be paid within the time period
specified in the Administrative Violations Code of Latvia.
(4) If the fine imposed is not paid within the time period
specified in the Administrative Violations Code of Latvia, the
State Register of Vehicles and Drivers shall send a notification
to the holder indicated in the vehicle registration certificate
or if the holder is not indicated - to the owner (possessor) of
the vehicle regarding the unpaid fine. If the offence has been
committed with a vehicle that is permanently registered in a
foreign country, but for the use of which in Latvia in the cases
determined in Section 9, Paragraph five of this Law a permit has
been received, a notification shall be sent to the person who has
received the permit. If an offence has been committed with a
vehicle that is transferred for trade (registration number plates
of the state of trade have been installed for it or a vehicle has
been registered in the trade register), a notification shall be
sent to a merchant who performs the trade of the relevant
vehicle. A notification shall contain the following
information:
1) the authority, the official of which has imposed the
fine;
2) the make of the vehicle and its State registration
number;
3) the data of the vehicle owner (possessor, holder);
4) the place where the offence was committed (name, address of
the city or other populated area, address);
5) the report- notification number;
6) the amount of the unpaid fine;
7) the payment order prerequisites and authorities, where it
is possible to pay a fine;
8) information regarding the consequences, which have arisen,
if the fine is not paid within the time period specified in the
Administrative Violations Code of Latvia.
(5) If the fine imposed has not been paid within the time
period specified in the Administrative Violations Code of Latvia,
a note shall be made in the State Register of Vehicles and
Drivers regarding the prohibition to perform a technical
inspection of a vehicle, with which the offence has been made,
and register it in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers,
until the payment of the fine.
(6) If the fine imposed regarding the violation of parking
provisions is not paid within the time period specified in the
Administrative Violations Code of Latvia, it shall be collected
from the holder indicated in the vehicle registration certificate
or, if the holder is not indicated - from the vehicle
(possessor), except for a case, when a vehicle has not been in
the possession of the owner (holder, possessor) at the moment of
commitment of the offence due to the wrongful act of other
person.
(7) A decision regarding the application of fine shall come
into effect at the time of drawing up of such decision. A
decision regarding the fine imposed may be contested within a
month, submitting the relevant submission to a higher institution
(official). Decisions of a higher institution (official) may be
appealed to a court.
(8) Procedures, by which a report shall be drawn up - a
notification regarding the fine imposed and information shall be
sent to the owner (possessor, holder) of the vehicle, as well as
the procedures for the collection and control of the fine shall
be determined by the Cabinet.
[26 July 2005; 13 May 2010; 23
February 2012]
Section 43.3 Forcible
Removal of a Vehicle
(1) A vehicle may be removed forcibly, and placed in a special
vehicle pound, if:
1) [15 December 2005].
2) it is not possible to find out the ownership of a
vehicle;
3) a vehicle has damage specified in regulatory enactments,
due to which it may not be driven, except for the case, when the
damage is eliminated at the location of the vehicle or the
vehicle is removed to a vehicle pound or to a place of repair of
the deficiencies in accordance with the procedures specified;
4) parking provisions are infringed, but the driver is not
present and a vehicle is parked for standing:
a) at a place, where an additional sign "Strādā
autoevakuators" (Car evacuator is working) has been erected,
b) on the tramway rail line or in the immediate vicinity
thereof and prevents the tram from driving,
c) at stopping points of passenger public transport or in the
immediate vicinity thereof and passenger public transport from
driving in and out,
d) it is so parked that it does not allow other vehicles to
drive or it causes substantial interference (other drivers are
forced to drive off the carriageway or to drive on that side of
the road, which is intended for driving in the opposite
direction),
e) it is on a pedestrian crossing,
f) it is fully or partially on the pavement and therefore
pedestrians are forced to go onto the carriageway,
g) it is on a railway road crossing,
h) on the bridges, trestles and under them;
5) a vehicle is parked for standing in populated areas fully
or partly on the carriageway during the dark hours of the day or
under poor visibility conditions in the non-illuminated section
of the road, where it is prohibited to stop, it does not have the
specified outside lighting devices switched on and it is not
visible to other drivers from a sufficient distance;
6) a vehicle has been parked for standing fully or partly on
the carriageway outside populated areas during the dark hours of
the day or under poor visibility conditions and it does not have
the outside lighting devices switched on;
7) a vehicle is considered as left on the road for a prolonged
time period in accordance with the procedures specified by the
Cabinet; or
8) a vehicle repeatedly (two or more times a year) has been
parked in a vehicle pound which is intended for disabled persons
and is appropriately designated, if a card for the use of a
vehicle pound of disable persons is not placed in a vehicle in
accordance with the requirements specified in the Road Traffic
Regulations.
(2) A vehicle may be removed forcibly from the place, where it
is parked for standing to another place allowed for standing in
accordance with the decision of the official authorised by the
local government or with the order of the Head of the State
Police from the streets:
1) which are necessary to be empty for the provision of
official state visits or other measures; or
2) where it is intended to perform road construction or
repair.
(3) A vehicle may be removed forcibly from the place, where it
has been parked for standing to another place allowed for
standing in accordance with the decision of the road manager or
the official or the relevant emergency or rescue service in case
of performance of temporary road maintenance (for example, for
snow removal), repair or the rectification of the consequences of
accidents or rescue works.
(31) Expenses connected with the forcible removal
of a vehicle to a special vehicle pound and keeping at the
special vehicle pound shall be covered by the holder indicated in
the vehicle registration certificate or if the holder is not
indicated - by the vehicle owner (possessor) or his or her
authorised person. Expenses shall be covered before taking out a
vehicle from a special vehicle pound.
(4) Procedures for the forcible removal of vehicles shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
[26 May 2005; 25 May 2008]
Section 43.4 Control of
Driving Speed
The observance of the driving speed specified shall be
controlled by the State Police with metering devices intended for
this purpose.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007]
Section 43.5
Determination of Influence of Alcohol, Narcotic or Other
Intoxicating Substances
(1) In order to determine the influence of alcohol, the State
Police employees and the State Border Guard employees (on the
State border) are entitled to test the air exhaled by the driver
with a meter intended for that purpose and which complies with
the requirements specified by the Cabinet or to deliver a driver
to the medical authority for the performance of such a test, if
there is a cause for suspicion, that he or she is under the
influence of alcohol, but it is not possible to perform the test
of the exhaled air or a driver does not agree with the results
thereof. The procedures, by which the blood alcohol concentration
and in the exhaled air is to be determined, shall be determined
by the Cabinet.
(2) In order to determine the influence of narcotic or other
intoxicating substances, the State Police employees shall deliver
a driver to the medical authority for performance of an
examination, if there is a reason for suspicion regarding the use
of narcotic or other intoxicating substances (the results of
express diagnostics test, behaviour of a driver, speaking manner,
co-ordination of movements). The procedures for the determination
of the influence of narcotic and other substances shall be
determined by the Cabinet.
[8 July 2003; 15 May 2008; 13 May
2010]
Section 43.6 Special
Features in the Administrative Process in relation to Offences,
which are Recorded with Technical Means, without Stopping a
Vehicle
(1) An offence may be recorded with technical means (photo
devices or video devices), without stopping a vehicle. The
procedures, by which technical means (photo devices or video
devices) are to be used, shall be determined by the Cabinet.
(2) For an offence, which is recorded with technical means
(photo devices or video devices), without the stopping of a
vehicle, only a minimum a fine intended for a driver shall be
applied.
(3) If an offence has been recorded with technical means
(photo devices or video devices), without the stopping of a
vehicle, in respect of this without the presence of the vehicle
driver an administrative violation report - decision shall be
drawn up, where the following information shall be indicated:
1) the date of drawing up of the report - decision;
2) the authority, the official of which has imposed the
penalty, and the position, given name and surname of the relevant
official;
3) the date and time of the determination of the offence;
4) the place of commitment of the offence (the name, address
of the city or other populated area);
5) the make of the vehicle and State registration number;
6) the reference to infringed legal provisions (Section of the
regulatory enactment, Paragraph, Clause or Sub-clause
thereof);
7) the decision regarding the imposing of the fine and amount
of fine;
8) the time period for payment of the fine;
9) the requisites for the payment order and the authorities in
which it is possible to pay the fine;
10) the procedures for contestation (appeal) of the decision
taken;
11) information regarding the consequences, which arise, if
the fine is not paid; and
12) a photo, on which the vehicle and the State registration
number is shown.
(4) Information regarding the decision taken shall be entered
into the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers or the
information system for the tractor-type machinery and the drivers
thereof by the State Police.
(5) A report-decision shall be sent to the holder indicated in
the vehicle registration certificate or if a holder is not
indicated - to the owner (possessor) of the vehicle not later
than within three working days after the taking of the decision.
If the offence has been committed with a vehicle that is
permanently registered in a foreign country, but for the use of
which in Latvia in the cases determined in Section 9, Paragraph
five of this Law a permit has been received, a report-decision
shall be sent to the person who has received the permit. If an
offence has been committed with a vehicle that is transferred for
trade (registration number plates of the state of trade have been
installed for it or a vehicle has been registered in the trade
register), a report-decision shall be sent to a merchant who
performs the trade of the relevant vehicle. The report-decision
shall be valid without the signature of the official imposing a
fine. The report-decision shall come into effect on the seventh
day from the submission thereof in the post.
(51) The State Police may enter into delegating
agreement with the Road Traffic Safety Directorate in which it
may be provided that the Road Traffic Safety Directorate shall,
within the scope of the competence thereof, process the
information in the State Register of Vehicles and Drivers that
has been received from technical means regarding the relevant
violation, prepare draft report-decision referred to in Paragraph
three of this Section which it shall send to the State Police for
evaluation and taking of a decision, as well as after the taking
of the relevant decision shall send the referred to
report-decision to the person referred to in the first sentence
of Paragraph five of this Section. The Cabinet shall determine
the amount of the remuneration and procedures for the granting
thereof which the Road Traffic Safety Directorate receives for
the services referred to in the first sentence of this
Paragraph.
(52) If a person referred to in the first, second
and third sentence of Paragraph five of this Section was not
driving a vehicle at the time of committing an offence, he or she
shall transfer (send) a report-decision to a driver who drove the
vehicle at the time of registration of the offence.
(53) A report-decision may be contested and
appealed by a driver who was driving the vehicle at the time of
registrations of the offence.
(6) The fine imposed shall be paid within the time period
specified in the Latvian Administrative Violation Code.
(7) If the imposed fine is not paid within the time period
specified in the Latvian Administrative Violation Code, a
notation shall be made in the State register of vehicles and
Drivers or the information system for the tractor-type machinery
and the drivers thereof regarding a prohibition until the fine is
paid to perform the State technical inspection for the vehicle
with which the offence was committed, and to register it in the
State Register of Vehicles and Drivers or the information system
for the tractor-type machinery and the drivers thereof. Such
notation regarding the prohibition to perform the State technical
inspection of the vehicle shall not be made or also the notation
done shall be extinguished if it is determined that at the moment
of committing the offence the vehicle was not in the possession
of the owner (holder, possessor) due to the unlawful activity of
other persons.
(8) If the fine imposed for the offence, which is recorded
with technical means (photo devices or video devices), without
stopping the vehicle has not been paid within the time period
specified in the Latvian Administrative Violation Code, it shall
be recovered from the holder indicated in the vehicle
registration certificate or if a holder is not indicated - to the
owner (possessor) of the vehicle, except in the case when at the
moment of committing the offence the vehicle was not in the
possession of the owner (holder, possessor) due to the unlawful
activity of other persons.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 19
February 2009; 13 May 2010; 15 December 2011; 23 February
2012]
Section 43.7 Provision of
a Service - Recording of Offences with Technical Means, without
Stopping a Vehicle
(1) If offences on road traffic are recorded with technical
means of a merchant (photo devices or video devices), without the
stopping of a vehicle, a merchant shall receive a part of actual
State basic budget revenue determined by the Cabinet from imposed
fines for administrative violations recorded with such technical
means (hereinafter - actual income) as remuneration for supply of
technical means, installation and provision of operation thereof,
as well as for transfer of the acquired information for the
processing and taking of a decision.
(2) Financial means that are intended for payment for the
services provided by a merchant shall be transferred into own
income of the Ministry of the Interior in accordance with the Law
on the State Budget for the current year. The referred to income
and expenditure relevant thereto shall be planned in a separate
State basics budget programme.
(3) The Cabinet shall determine:
1) the actual part of income (in per cent) that a merchant
receives as remuneration for the provision of services;
2) the procedure by which actual income is to be
determined;
3) the procedure by which a merchant receives remuneration for
the provision of services.
[9 September 2010]
Section 44. Recovery of Damage
(1) Damage suffered as a result of infringement of this Law or
other enactments regulating road traffic safety shall be
recovered.
(2) A vehicle owner or possessor, if he or she fails to prove,
that a damage has been caused due to force majeure, by the
intention of a victim himself or herself or due to the gross
negligence of a victim or due to other reasons, which in
accordance with the law release from liability to recover the
damage, shall be liable regarding the damage caused as a result
of the exploitation of a vehicle. Joint holders and co-heirs
shall be jointly liable regarding the damage caused.
(3) A holder shall be liable regarding the damages caused in
cases, when a vehicle is transferred to a holder, if he or she
has not agreed with the owner regarding other procedures for the
recovery of damages. However, if a holder is absent (outside the
State borders), and his or her place of residence is not known or
a complete collection of damages is not possible from him or her,
the vehicle owner shall be liable for the damage.
(4) If vehicle is not in the possession of the owner,
possessor or holder due not to his or her fault, but as a result
of a wrongful act of another person, this person shall be liable
for a damage caused. If the owner's, possessor's or holder's
behaviour also does not have any justification, the person, who
used the vehicle, as well as the owner, possessor or holder in
accordance with their degree of fault shall be requested to
recover the damages caused.
(5) The procedures for the recovery of damages caused to a
third person shall be regulated by a separate law regarding the
vehicle owner's compulsory third party liability insurance in the
case of civil liability insurance.
Chapter VIII
Complementary Regulations
Section 45. Exceptional cases
(1) It is prohibited to issue a special permit, which gives
the right to derogate from the requirements of this Law and the
Road Traffic Regulations.
(2) In some cases with passes issued in accordance with the
procedures specified by the Cabinet for vehicles of carriers of
mail, as well as for vehicles, with which the collection is
performed, and for such vehicles of the Saeima, vehicles
of the Chancery of the President, vehicles of the State
Chancellery and ministries, with which post parcels are
delivered, in the performance of the relevant task, it is allowed
to not observe the stopping and standing provisions, as well as
the requirements of the signs "Braukt aizliegts" (Driving
prohibited), "Mehāniskajiem transportlīdzekļiem braukt aizliegts"
(Driving of motor vehicles prohibited) and "Kravas automobiļiem
braukt aizliegts" (Driving of goods vehicles prohibited).
(21) In order to ensure the course of the elections
of the Saeima, the European Parliament, local government,
city councils, as well as that of a referendum, the Chairperson
of the Central Electoral Commission is entitled to issue passes
in respect of vehicles, the drivers of which perform the orders
of the election committees, for the day of the elections or
referendum with the right to not observe the stopping and
standing provisions, as well as the requirements of the signs
"Braukt aizliegts" (Driving prohibited), "Mehāniskajiem
transportlīdzekļiem braukt aizliegts" (Driving of motor vehicles
prohibited) and "Kravas automobiļiem braukt aizliegts" (Driving
of goods vehicles prohibited).
(3) Deviation from the Road Traffic Regulations is permissible
during sports events, which are co-ordinated in accordance with
the procedures specified in this Law, to the extent that it is
determined by the regulatory enactments regulating sports
events.
[8 July 2003; 26 May 2005; 15
December 2005; 19 February 2009; 9 June 2011]
Section 46. Application of
Regulations in Respect of Foreign Nationals and Stateless
Persons
This Law, the Road Traffic Regulations and other regulatory
enactments which regulate the relations in the field of road
traffic safety, shall also apply to vehicles registered abroad,
as well as to the owners, and drivers thereof and other
participants to road traffic, while they are in the territory of
Latvia, if it is not otherwise specified in international
agreements, to which Latvia is a member state.
Section 47. Regulations for Drivers
who Arrive in Latvia from Abroad or are Bringing Vehicles into
Latvia
(1) A person is allowed to drive a vehicle in Latvia, if he or
she has:
1) a driving licence issued by a Member State of the European
Union or by a member state of the European Free Trade
Association;
2) a driving licence, where the driver categories specified in
the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic are indicated; or
3) a driving licence, where the driver categories specified in
the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic are not indicated. With such
a driving licence a person is only permitted to drive vehicles
conforming to the B category if in the issuing state such a
driving licence gives the right to drive the automobile. If in
the driving licence there has not be made a record with Latin
alphabet letters, the person shall present a notarily certified
translation in Latvian.
(2) A driver, who arrives in Latvia from abroad and stays in
Latvia for more than one year, shall replace a driving licence in
accordance with the procedures specified, except for a driving
licence issued by a member State of the European union or a
Member State of the European Free Trade Association, as well as
persons enjoying diplomatic or consular immunities and
privileges.
(3) It is a duty to register in Latvia such vehicles temporary
brought in from abroad, which comply with the conditions
specified in Section 10, Paragraph 1.2 of this
Law.
(4) Provisions of Paragraph one and two of this Section shall
not be applicable to persons of foreign armed forces, who are
performing service duties in the Republic of Latvia within the
framework of international co-operation.
(5) A person is allowed to drive a vehicle in Latvia in the
cases referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, if he or she
has reached the specified age for the acquisition of the driving
licence of the relevant category referred to in Section 24 of
this Law.
[20 June 2000; 8 July 2003; 26 May
2005; 26 May 2005; 15 February 2007; 19 February 2009; 3 March
2011]
Section 48. Application of
International Agreements
If an international treaty approved by the Saeima
includes provisions contrary to this Law, the provisions of the
international treaty shall apply.
Transitional Provisions
1. [8 July 2003]
2. With the coming into force of this Law, Cabinet Regulation
No.135, 7 April 1997, Regulation Regarding Road Traffic, issued
in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution (Latvijas
Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1997, No.
10, 18), is repealed.
3. [26 May 2005]
4. Amendments (in the text of 26 May 2005) to Section 5,
Paragraph three, Section 4.1; Section 10.1
and Section 22, Paragraph five shall come into force on 1
September 2005.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007]
5. Section 15.1 and the amendment to Section 28,
Clause 1 (in the text of 26 May 2005) shall come into force on 1
July 2006.
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007]
6. [15 February 2007]
[11 May 1993; 15 February 2007]
7. [15 February 2007]
[26 May 2005; 15 February 2007]
8. The Cabinet shall by 31 December 2007 issue the regulations
referred to in Section 4, Paragraph five, third sentence of this
Law, which approve such price lists for services, which the Road
Traffic Safety Directorate provides in fulfilling its delegated
State administration tasks, and determine the range of persons
who shall be released from the payment of the services provided.
Until the day of the coming into force of the relevant Cabinet
regulations, but not longer than 31 December 2007 Cabinet
Regulation No. 1040 of 19 December 2006, Regulations regarding
the Price List for the Paid Services provided by the State stock
company "Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija" [Road Traffic Safety
Directorate] within the Scope of State Administrative Functions,
shall be applied insofar as it is not in contradiction to this
Law.
[15 February 2007]
9. The Cabinet shall by 1 October 2007 issue the regulations
referred to in Section 4.1, Paragraphs three and four
of this Law, which determine the procedures for the registration
of vehicle trade locations, requirements for the trade in
vehicles and numbered units thereof, as well as for the use of
the State registration number plates for trade. Until the day of
the coming into force of the relevant Cabinet regulations, but
not longer than 1 October 2007 Cabinet Regulation No. 849 of 17
October 2006, Regulations regarding Trade Requirements for
Vehicles and Numbered Units thereof and the Procedures for the
Use of the State Registration Number Plates for Trade, shall be
applied insofar as it is not in contradiction to this Law.
[15 February 2007]
10. Amendments to Section 22, Paragraph 3.1 of this
Law regarding the replacement of the words "theoretical training
or" with the words "including" and regarding the deletion of the
word "theoretical" from Section 22, Paragraphs 3.2 and
five of this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2008. Up to
the day of the coming into force of these amendments the Cabinet
shall issue appropriate to them the regulations referred to in
Section 22, Paragraph five of this Law.
[15 February 2007]
11. The amendments to this Law regarding the deletion of
Section 22, Paragraph three and the expression of Section
30.1 in the new text shall come into force on 1
October 2007. Up to the day of the coming into force of these
amendments the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in
Section 30.1, Paragraphs five, six, seven and eight
(new text) of this Law.
[15 February 2007]
12. The amendments to this Law regarding the expression of
Section 31 in the new text, the deletion of Section
31.1, Paragraph one and the addition of Paragraph six
to Section 31.2 shall come into force on 11 April
2007. Up to the day of the coming into force of these amendments
the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section
31, Paragraphs one and two (new text) of this Law.
[15 February 2007]
13. The driving licences for tractor type machinery and
driving licences for special tractor-type machinery issued until
1 January 2009 shall be valid until the expiry thereof.
[15 May 2008]
14. The Cabinet shall by 31 December 2009 issue the
regulations (in new wording) referred to in Section 22, Paragraph
two of this Law, which determine the procedures for the
acquisition and renewal of the right to drive a vehicle and the
procedures and time periods for the issuance, change and renewal
of a driving licence. Until the day of coming into force of the
relevant regulations, but not longer than until 31 December 2009,
Cabinet Regulation No. 634 of 27 July 2004, Procedures for the
Acquisition of Qualification of Driver of Tractor-type Machinery
and Procedures for the Issuance of Driving Licence for
Tractor-type Machinery, Cabinet Regulation No. 127 of 15
February 2005, Procedures for the Acquisition of Driver's
Qualification for Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Procedures for
the Issuance, Change and Renewal of Driving Licence and
Cabinet Regulation No. 173 of 6 March 2007, Procedures for the
Acquisition of Driver Qualification, Procedures for the
Acquisition and Renewal of the Right to Drive a Vehicle and
Procedures for the Issuance, Change and Renewal of Driving
Licence, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this
Law.
[19 February 2009]
15. The Cabinet shall by 31 December 2009 issue the
regulations referred to in Section 22, Paragraph four of this Law
(in new wording), which determine the requirements for merchants,
educational institutions and specialists, which provide training
of drivers, training programmes for drivers, as well as the
procedures for the control of training process of drivers. Until
the day of coming into force of the relevant regulations, but not
longer than until 31 December 2009 Cabinet Regulation No. 131 of
15 February 2005, Regulations Regarding Requirements for
Educational Institutions and Specialists which Provide Training
of Drivers and Training Programs for Drivers, and Cabinet
Regulation No. 406 of 7 July 2005, Qualification Requirements
for Specialists and Requirements for Educational Institutions
which Provide Training of Drivers of Tractor-type Machinery and
Training Programs for Drivers of Tractor-type Machinery,
insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.
[19 February 2009]
16. Section 9, Paragraphs four, five and six of this Law shall
come into force on 1 July 2009.
[19 February 2009]
17. The Cabinet shall by 30 June 2009 issue the regulations
referred to in Section 9, Paragraph six of this Law.
[19 February 2009]
18. The Cabinet shall by 31 July 2009 issue the regulations
referred to in Section 10, Paragraph 1.4 of this Law.
Until the day of coming into force of the relevant regulations,
but not longer than until 31 July 2009 Cabinet Regulation No. 446
of 27 April 2004, Regulations for Vehicle Registration and
Cabinet Regulation No. 618 of 20 July 2004, Regulations for
Registration of Tractor-type Machinery and Trailers Thereof,
insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.
[19 February 2009]
19. The amendment to Section 45, Paragraph 2.1 of
this Law regarding deletion of the word "(parish or district
councils)" shall come into force on 1 July 2009.
[19 February 2009]
20. The amendments to this Law regarding the restatement of
Section 1, Clauses 11, 12, 13, 21 and 30, Section 22, Paragraph
one and first sentence of Paragraph two, Sections 23 and 24 of
this Law, supplementing of Section 9, Paragraph two after the
words "motor-cycles, tricycles, quadricycles" with the word
"moped" and supplementing of Section 22, Paragraph two with a new
second sentence, as well as amendments to Section 10, Paragraph
one, Clause 3 regarding replacement of the words" trailers
thereof and mopeds" with the words "and trailers thereof", to
Section 10, Paragraph eight, Clause 2 regarding replacement of
the words "trailers and mopeds" with the words "and trailers", to
Section 15, Paragraph two regarding replacement of the words"
trailers thereof and mopeds" with the words "and trailers
thereof", to Section 15, Paragraph four regarding replacement of
the words "trailers thereof (except for tractor-type machinery
and trailers thereof) and mopeds" with the words " and trailers
thereof (except for tractor-type machinery and trailers thereof)
and exclusion of the word "moped" in Section 15.1,
Paragraphs one, two and four shall come into force on 1 January
2012.
[3 March 2011]
21. Amendments to Section 25, Paragraph one of this Law
regarding exclusion of the words "officials of the Road Transport
Inspection (during the control of passengers and cargo transport
by road)" shall come into force on 1 April 2011.
[9 June 2011]
22. Until 1 September 2011 the Cabinet shall issue the
Regulation referred to in Section 10.1 of this Law
regarding the rates, procedures for the payment and exemptions
from the State fee for registration of vehicles to be registered
with the State Technical Supervision Agency. Until the day of
coming into force of the relevant Regulation, but not longer than
until 1 September 2011, the Cabinet Regulation No. 845 of 8
November 2005, Regulation Regarding State Fee for Vehicle
Registration (Vehicle Register Fee), insofar as it is not in
contradiction with this Law.
[9 June 2011]
23. Until 30 December 2011 the Cabinet shall issue the
Regulation referred to in Section 4, Paragraph five of this Law
regarding the approval of a price list of the Road Traffic Safety
Directorate, as well as determine the range of persons who shall
be released from the payment for the referred to services. Until
the day of coming into force of the relevant Regulation, but not
longer than until 30 December 2011, the Cabinet Regulation No.
879 of 18 December 2007, Regulation Regarding Price List of Paid
Services Provided by State Stock Company Road Traffic Safety
Directorate within the Framework of State Administrative
Functions, insofar as it is not in contradiction with this
Law.
[9 June 2011]
24. The amendment to this Law regarding supplementing of
Section 9, Paragraph five with Clause 8 shall come into force on
1 August 2011.
[9 June 2011]
25. The amendment to this Law regarding supplementing of
Section 16 with Paragraph 6.1 shall come into force on
1 January 2012.
[9 June 2011]
26. The amendment to Section 28, Paragraph one, Clause 1 of
this Law regarding restating thereof shall come into force on 1
January 2012.
[9 June 2011]
27. Until 1 June 2012 the Cabinet shall develop and submit to
the Saeima draft laws which provide that the first
periodic technical inspection of new vehicles previously
non-registered in Latvia shall be performed not later than 24
months after registration thereof for the first time in
Latvia.
[23 February 2012]
Informative Reference to European
Union Directives
This Law contains legal norms arising from:
1) Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving
licences;
2) Council Directive 2002/15/EC of 11 March 2002 on the
organisation of the working time of persons performing mobile
road transport activities;
3) Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences; and
4) Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 7 July 2010 on the framework for the deployment of
Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and
for interfaces with other modes of transport.
[15 December 2005; 3 March 2011; 23
February 2012]
The Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 1 October
1997.
Acting for the President,
Deputy Chairperson of the Saeima A. Ameriks
Rīga, 21 October 1997
1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2012 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)