Latvia

Driving in Latvia

Latvia has no tolls for passenger cars — the electronic charge applies to heavier commercial vehicles only — and one rule that is stricter in form than its neighbours', if not in length. Winter tyres are required by law between 1 December and 1 March. That is a fixed calendar requirement rather than a conditional one: it applies whether or not there is snow on the road that day, which is a different test from the "when conditions demand it" wording used across much of central Europe. Studs are permitted seasonally. The alcohol limit is 0.5‰, dropping to 0.2 for novice drivers. Headlights or daytime running lights are required at all times, year-round. Limits are 50 in towns, 90 on rural roads and 110 on the motorway. The currency is the euro.