A driving licence usually needs to be exchanged when its validity period is approaching its end, personal details have changed or a new driving qualification has been obtained.

In most cases, the procedure is straightforward: the driver must have a valid medical examination and visit a CSDD customer service centre. However, there is an important exception. If the driving licence expired 3 or more years ago, examinations must be passed again before a new licence can be issued.

When does a driving licence need to be exchanged?

A driving licence issued in Latvia must be exchanged if:

• its validity period has expired or is approaching its end;
• the holder's first name, surname or personal identity number has changed;
• the driving licence has been damaged;
• a new vehicle driving qualification has been obtained;
• the validity period of professional driver Code 95 has changed;
• a driver whose licence contained restriction code 78, allowing only vehicles with an automatic transmission to be driven, has passed the driving test using a vehicle with a manual transmission.

A driving licence may also be exchanged voluntarily without any specific reason.

If the holder's first name, surname or personal identity number has changed, the driving licence must be exchanged within 30 days.

How long is a driving licence valid?

The validity period depends on the vehicle categories shown on the driving licence.

Driving licences for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 and BE are valid for 10 years.

If the licence also includes C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E, DE, TRAM or TROL categories, the validity period is 5 years.

It is important not to confuse the validity period of the driving licence with the validity period of the driver's medical examination. These periods do not necessarily expire at the same time.

What is required to exchange a driving licence?

When exchanging a driving licence issued in Latvia:

• the existing driving licence must be submitted;
• the driver must have a valid medical examination.

Medical examination information is recorded electronically, so a paper medical certificate does not normally need to be presented.

The validity of the driver's medical examination can be checked free of charge through e-CSDD.

If the medical examination has expired, a new examination may be completed with a family doctor who provides this service or before an authorised medical commission. Presto provides a medical examination for drivers.

Do I need a new driving licence if only my medical examination has expired?

No. If the driving licence itself is still valid but the medical examination has expired, the physical driving licence does not need to be replaced.

However, the right to drive may not be exercised until a new medical examination has been completed.

After the examination, the doctor or medical commission records the information electronically in the national register of vehicles and drivers.

Where can a driving licence be exchanged?

A driving licence must be exchanged in person at a CSDD customer service centre that provides driver qualification services.

An advance appointment is not required for the exchange of a driver's document.

The entire procedure cannot be completed through e-CSDD because the applicant must attend a CSDD customer service centre in person to receive a new driving licence.

A Latvian driving licence is normally issued to a person whose permanent residence is in Latvia. If the person's permanent residence is in another country, the licence will normally have to be exchanged in that country.

How much does a driving licence exchange cost?

The CSDD fee for issuing or exchanging a driving licence, including replacement of a lost or stolen licence, is EUR 22.41.

Additional costs may apply if a medical examination or, in specific circumstances, CSDD examinations are required before the new licence can be issued.

Do I need to pass examinations to exchange my driving licence?

For a standard driving licence exchange, theory and practical driving examinations are not required.

There is, however, an important exception.

If the driving licence expired 3 or more years ago

If the validity period of the driving licence expired 3 or more years ago, the applicant must pass:

• the Category B theory examination;
• the Category B practical driving examination.

This requirement also applies to drivers whose licence contains truck or bus categories.

If the previous licence authorised only mopeds or motorcycles, the relevant theory and practical examinations for the corresponding category must be passed.

For this reason, it is not advisable to postpone the exchange of an expired licence for several years.

Can I drive if my driving licence has expired?

No.

From the moment the validity period of the driving licence expires, the right to drive may not be exercised until a new valid licence has been issued.

This does not mean that the driver's qualification must automatically be obtained again, unless the licence has been expired for the period described above. Nevertheless, the person may not legally drive during this period.

Driving while a prohibition on exercising driving rights is in force may result in a EUR 40 fine.

What should I do if my driving licence is lost or stolen?

If a driving licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, this is legally treated as a replacement or restoration of the document rather than a standard exchange.

If the licence is still valid, a new document can normally be issued without requiring examinations.

The driver must still have a valid medical examination and the new licence must be issued in person at CSDD.

Once a driving licence has been reported lost or stolen, the previous document may no longer be used. If a new licence is not obtained within 30 days after this information has been registered, a prohibition on exercising driving rights takes effect.

How is a foreign driving licence exchanged in Latvia?

The applicable procedure depends on the country in which the driving licence was issued.

EU, EFTA and United Kingdom driving licences

Driving licences issued in the European Union, European Free Trade Association countries and the United Kingdom are not subject to the general requirement to be exchanged after one year of residence in Latvia.

If the holder's permanent residence is in Latvia, such a licence may be exchanged for a Latvian driving licence in accordance with the applicable procedure.

In standard cases, qualification examinations are not required.

Driving licences issued in other countries

If a driver has moved to Latvia from a country outside the EU, EFTA or the United Kingdom and remains in Latvia for more than one year, the foreign driving licence must generally be exchanged in accordance with Latvian requirements.

Such applicants will normally be required to pass a CSDD practical driving examination. If motorcycle, truck or bus categories are to be retained on the Latvian licence, an examination in the relevant category may also be required.

International agreements may provide different procedures for licences issued by certain countries, so the requirements should always be checked for the specific country of issue.

If the information on the foreign driving licence is not written using the Latin alphabet, a notarised Latvian translation may be required.

Frequently asked questions

Can I exchange my driving licence before it expires?

Yes. There is no need to wait until the licence becomes invalid. It can be exchanged before its expiry date.

Is a medical certificate required to exchange a driving licence?

Yes. The driver's medical examination must be valid at the time of the exchange. A paper certificate does not normally need to be presented because the information is stored electronically.

Do I need to exchange my driving licence after changing my surname?

Yes. If the holder's first name, surname or personal identity number changes, the driving licence must be exchanged within 30 days.

Does an expired medical examination mean that my driving licence must also be replaced?

No. If the driving licence itself remains valid, only a new medical examination is required. The vehicle may not be driven until the medical examination has been completed.

Do I need a driving school to exchange my driving licence?

Driving school training is not required for a standard driving licence exchange. Driving school assistance may be useful if the licence expired 3 or more years ago and the driver needs to refresh theoretical knowledge or practical driving skills before taking the CSDD examinations.

Do not postpone your driving licence exchange

The easiest option is to exchange the driving licence while the existing document is still valid. Check both the validity of your driving licence and your medical examination in e-CSDD.

If your medical examination needs to be renewed, Presto can provide a medical examination for drivers.

If your licence expired 3 or more years ago and you need to prepare again for CSDD theory or practical driving examinations, Presto can help refresh both your theoretical knowledge and practical driving skills.