A category BE driving licence can be obtained from the age of 18, provided that a valid category B licence has already been issued. Training may be started only after reaching the age of 18.

The category BE training process usually takes 2–4 weeks; however, the exact duration is individual and depends on your availability and the scheduling of lessons.

The theory course consists of only 3 lessons, and driving lessons may be started simultaneously, which allows the entire process to be completed in a relatively short time.

To obtain a category BE driving licence, you must meet the following requirements:

Age:

• Be at least 18 years old and already hold a category B driving licence.

Training:

• Theory course — available in an in-person format or as a video + in-person format;
• Driving lessons — at least 4 lessons (8 academic hours);
• After completing training — the driving school exam and the CSDD state driving exam.

Required documents:

• Medical certificate (approximately €29);
• First aid certificate (around €40–55 depending on the provider);
• Administrative processing at the driving school (€20–30).

After successfully completing all stages and passing the CSDD exam, the category BE driving licence is issued.

Apply online: choose a group, sign the agreement, make the payment, and begin the course.

On the Presto website, the category BE section displays the [Sign agreement] button and the schedules for the B→BE groups. Choose a suitable group (for example: Centre, Purvciems, Āgenskalns) or the video training (1+2) option, select the specific group or the Full training agreement section, enter the required information, and confirm your application.

You may sign either:

• Full training agreement for category BE, or
• Driving training agreement (if you only need driving lessons).

In the system, indicate your preferred branch, schedule, and language (LV/RU). Groups belonging to category BE are marked as B→BE. After submitting the documents, the page will display the notification: “The administration will contact you as soon as possible.”

Prices are shown on the category BE page under Prices. Payment is usually made in installments.

After signing the agreement, you will receive confirmation and the schedule; driving lessons can be booked in parallel with the theory lessons.

If you have any questions, use the Ask a question form on the website or contact us via email or messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Viber) at: +371 288 131 88.

The approximate total cost starts from €355. The exact amount may vary individually.

Approximate costs:

• Administrative processing: €20–30
• Theory: video training €20 or in-person course €30 (in some places a sum €80 can be seen)
• First aid course: €55
• Medical certificate: €29–38
• Driving lessons: at least 4 lessons (2×45 minutes):
• €33–60 with a manual gearbox;
• €56–74 with an automatic gearbox;
• Use of the manoeuvring area: €0
• Driving school exam: €33–74
• State driving exam (CSDD): €58.57
• Issue of the driving licence: €22.41

Important: the total amount varies depending on the selected city/branch, the chosen theory format, the number of driving lessons (if more than the minimum 4 are required), and the transmission type (automatic gearbox lessons are more expensive). Use of the manoeuvring area is free of charge.

The driving deposit is an initial payment (pre-payment) used for booking driving lessons. It confirms that you have allocated financial resources towards your goal. Financial discipline and the commitment to dedicate funds within a short period of time are important elements of the learning process.

The driving deposit must be paid within 14 days after signing the agreement. This amount will be added to your digital wallet (e-account) in the driving school system and can be used to book and pay for driving lessons.

Category BE lessons take place in Riga and in regional locations. A video-based (distance learning) format is also available: 1 video lesson + 2 in-person lessons (3 lessons in total).

Presto offers in-person BE courses at several branches, with groups available on weekdays and weekends, both in the morning and in the evening.

In Riga, courses take place in the following locations:

• Centre (Ģertrūdes iela 19/21)
• BUTS (Meža iela 7, Āgenskalns)
• Purvciems (Braslas iela 20)

Outside Riga, courses are available in Alūksne, Gulbene, Lielvārde and Ogre.

The order of the lessons does not matter. You may even start with the in-person lessons and then continue with the video lessons. Presto actively promotes such mixed-format groups on social media. During the lessons, the instructor will also provide useful advice on how to use the driving school’s services effectively and how to save both time and money.

Presto follows this approach to support better outcomes in the CSDD theory and driving exams.

Students in the video training format are registered in the CSDD system three times per week. Once registered, you will be granted access to the video lessons. You will receive an e-mail notification once this has been done. In practice, access to the video lessons is granted almost immediately.

At least 4 driving lessons (8 academic hours) are required, although more may be necessary.

The website clearly states: “4 minimum driving lessons (8 academic hours)” before the driving school exam — this is the official minimum for category BE.

Additional lessons may be needed if:

• you need time to get used to towing a trailer (manoeuvring, reversing, crosswind);
• the instructor recommends improving safety and manoeuvring skills;
• you wish to take the exam with an automatic gearbox but feel you need more confidence.

Use of the manoeuvring area is free of charge, so you may practise there without paying any additional area fees (you only pay for the lessons themselves).

The practical training includes at least 4 driving lessons, which cover manoeuvres in the manoeuvring area (free of charge) and driving in traffic with a passenger car and trailer.

After completing the lessons, two exams must be taken: first the driving school exam, and then the state (CSDD) driving exam.

Prices

• Driving lessons (2 × 45 minutes):
  • with a manual gearbox: approximately €33–60;
  • with an automatic gearbox: approximately €56–74.
• Use of the manoeuvring area is free of charge.

How to apply for lessons

• Sign the driving training agreement in the section “Sign agreement for driving training”;
• Choose the driving school branch that is most convenient for you;
• Arrange the lesson time with the instructor — you may begin lessons in parallel with the theory course.

Choosing an instructor

Consider the following:

• whether you wish to drive with a manual or automatic gearbox;
• the starting location and the instructor’s schedule;
• the language in which the instructor teaches (Latvian / Russian);
• the instructor’s experience in trailer handling (important for BE manoeuvres and towing).

To obtain category BE, you must successfully pass two exams in the following order:

• the driving school exam;
• the state (CSDD) driving exam.

If the applicant is not a Latvian citizen and does not know the Latvian language at a sufficient level, the driving exam may be taken in English or Russian, or with the assistance of a certified interpreter provided by the applicant.

If the driving exam is not passed, it must be retaken. You may register for a repeat driving exam no earlier than the following day.

The issuance of the licence costs €22.41 and is usually completed quickly. In the standard procedure, the licence is issued on the same or the next working day; in the expedited procedure, it is issued on the same day.

After the state exam, the documents are processed at the CSDD branch, you pay the issuance fee, and you receive the physical licence on-site.

Yes, we can issue an invoice for the driving courses. To receive it, you must send the payer’s details and the information about the person or persons who will be attending the training to our e-mail.

Yes, it is permitted, but with restrictions:

• Category B: a trailer up to 750 kg or a trailer heavier than 750 kg, provided that the total mass of the car + trailer does not exceed 3500 kg.
• B(96): allows driving a combination with a total mass of 3500–4250 kg.
• Category BE: a trailer up to 3500 kg, with a combined total mass up to 7000 kg.

In short: category B allows towing lighter trailers or semi-trailers; B(96) allows slightly heavier combinations; category BE allows heavy trailers.

B: light trailer or a combination ≤3500 kg; B(96): combination ≤4250 kg; BE: trailer ≤3500 kg, combination ≤7000 kg. 

Main differences Category B:

• B: you may tow a trailer up to 750 kg. If the trailer is heavier, the total technically permissible maximum laden mass of the car + trailer must not exceed 3500 kg. 
• B(96) (Code 96): extends category B — the total technically permissible maximum laden mass of the car + trailer may exceed 3500 kg and be up to 4250 kg.
• Category BE: you may tow a trailer or semi-trailer with a technically permissible maximum laden mass of up to 3500 kg, and the total mass of the combination may be up to 7000 kg.

How to choose the most suitable category? 

1. Add together the technically permissible maximum laden mass of your car (M1) and the trailer. 
2. If the total mass is ≤3500 kg, category B is sufficient. 
3. If the total mass is 3500–4250 kg, category B(96) is required. 
4. If the trailer is up to 3500 kg and the total mass is up to 7000 kg, category BE is required. 

Important: the chosen category must also comply with the vehicle manufacturer’s permitted towing capacity, nose load and the trailer’s technical limitations. Category BE does not give the right to exceed the vehicle’s actual towing capability.