The best driving school is both a subjective and an objective category. According to subjective criteria, what matters to you may be an opinion, including a friend's or influencer's recommendation, reviews, or which driving school is the largest, most stylish and most popular. Objective criteria for choosing the best driving school are based on facts: CSDD exam results, CSDD data on the first two years of experience of driving school graduates after state exams, the training organization system, contract terms, availability of study programs, availability of driving instructors, the possibility to study in a convenient format (in person or remotely), and whether information is provided about the time and total cost required for training.

One of the most visible and long-standing driving school rankings can be found here: autoskolas.com/en/top-5.

AI can also be very useful when choosing the best driving school. Additional criteria (a prompt) are needed, without which a meaningful choice is not possible. Indicate your location and interests: favorable contract terms, the lowest total cost and time spent, good learning results and reviews.

CSDD data on driving school performance and exam results is one of the most important objective sources for assessing training quality and student readiness. It allows driving schools to be compared not by advertising, but by real results. CSDD theory results can be viewed most conveniently here: autoskolas.com/en/teorijas-statistika, CSDD driving exam results by training category here: autoskolas.com/en/brauksanas-statistika, and driving school graduate statistics for the first two years after obtaining a driving licence (road accidents and violations) here: autoskolas.com/en/autoskolu-absolventu-statistika.

CSDD statistics are an objective indicator when choosing a driving school because they are based on learning results in state exams. These are facts, not opinions, subjective reviews or marketing information. When evaluating exam statistics, however, it is important to consider whether the strictness of exam assessment is at the same level. In theory, this means checking whether the number of questions and allowed mistakes is the same; in driving, it also matters in which city the exam is taken, because the level of difficulty differs from city to city.

In 2026, CSDD presented driving schools for the first time with data on what happens to driving school graduates during the first two years after obtaining a licence. For now, this data is based on police reports, not agreed statements from insurers. Presto Driving School is highlighted in this context: among Latvia's TOP 5 driving schools, Presto graduates have the lowest number of road accidents and violations, as well as 0 fatalities, which indicates a certain level of driving discipline and culture.

CSDD statistics can be reviewed most conveniently here: autoskolas.com/csdd-statistika.

According to CSDD and social media data, the largest and most popular driving schools in Latvia are Presto Driving School, Einstein Driving School, BAVA Driving School, Mustangs Driving School, Gross Driving School and Autoskola Galvenais Ceļš, based on the number of people taking CSDD exams, which is the only factual measure for determining a driving school's popularity.

At the same time, "popular" is a subjective category, so everyone should choose the driving school that suits them according to the main factual evaluation criteria: a consumer-friendly contract, state exam results, graduate statistics two years after finishing the driving school, the total time and cost spent obtaining a driving licence, the service provided and the driving lesson business model of the driving school.

When choosing a driving school, it is important to pay attention to possible additional and hidden costs. All driving schools claim that they have no hidden costs, but none explains what exactly might be hidden. Hidden means everything that is not described in the contract and is outside the consumer's normal understanding and experience. To avoid unexpected expenses, it is advisable to carefully review the driving school contract and price list before signing, clarifying all possible payments.

One of the most common additional costs is the inability to study theory remotely at an accelerated pace, as required by the contracts of several of Latvia's largest driving schools, which may lead to the need to sign a new contract or extend the existing one. The registration and/or theory course fee will have to be paid again. Another problem in these contracts is rushing practical training before theory training is completed. According to the optimal learning strategy with the lowest costs, theory and practice should be studied one after the other; otherwise, extra driving lessons will be needed, because learning theory during driving training is expensive.

The largest and most hidden cost is artificially prolonged driving training, which is the most common complaint about instructors and driving schools. It arises from the client acquisition commission between the instructor and the driving school. This arrangement exists in most driving schools. Presto considers it an unlawful industry practice. In Latvia, the client commission ranges from EUR 40 to 240. It is structured as reduced instructor remuneration for the first 10 lessons and is often paid in cash. To make it easier for the instructor to obtain cash, the driving school contract with the student encourages cash payments between the student and the instructor. Despite regulations on the responsibility of driving schools, actual control over driving training is in the hands of the instructor, because driving schools do not have their own detailed methodological driving programs. As a result of the commission, the student does not know that the instructor starts the training with a negative balance and will try to recover the money by stretching out the driving training. For the student, this means a significant number of additional driving lessons. Overall, there are two stable signs: the absence of an electronic driving system and a driving school contract that allows cash circulation between the student and the instructor.

In rare cases, a driving school wants to charge for registering the client both at the driving school and with CSDD. Any registration is unified. In addition, this fee is effectively also a client service fee for the entire contract period. If the client has received a discount on the registration fee, it is especially important to critically assess how they will be served for up to three years.

For many students, repeated exams create significant additional costs. They can be strict and difficult to pass. Industry practice for the theory exam provides for 30 questions and 1 mistake. For example, 60 questions or 0 mistakes should be considered unjustified strictness. Problems passing the theory exam may also be caused by weak study materials and lack of consultations. It is quite risky to choose a driving school without reviewing theory and driving exam statistics and without gathering information about study programs. The driving school driving exam should take place 1:1 like the CSDD exam, using the same protocol. The driving school may not impose additional requirements.

In driving schools with an electronic driving system, additional costs may arise from cancelling lessons at the last moment (within 24 hours before the start) or by mistake. It should be noted that computerized systems cannot make exceptions. The operating rules of these systems are described in the contract.

The driving school contract is one of the most important aspects when choosing a driving school, because it defines the organization of the training process, the rights and obligations of the parties, the payment procedure and other important cooperation terms. The content of the contract often determines whether the training process will be understandable and free of unpleasant surprises.

Driving schools that allow clients to review the contract before signing demonstrate an open and transparent attitude toward their clients. This makes it possible to evaluate all terms in advance, paying attention to possible additional costs, contract termination rules, penalties or other clauses that may later cause unexpected expenses or complications. Many future students, after carefully reviewing the contract before signing it, might make a different decision about their choice of driving school.

More than 95% of driving schools do not publish their contract terms or do not allow clients to review them before signing, raising justified concerns about transparency. Although there may be different reasons for this, such an approach makes it difficult for the client to fully evaluate the cooperation terms and compare them with offers from other driving schools. Therefore, the possibility to review the contract in advance is an important indicator of trustworthiness and client-oriented service.

The most common pitfalls in driving school contracts are rushing theory training with very short completion deadlines that do not match a person's realistic abilities, as well as forcing theory to be studied during driving training, which prolongs and increases the cost of driving training.

Presto Driving School offers the possibility to review the contract before signing it. Contract samples can be viewed here: presto.lv/en/agreements.

A learning strategy determines how quickly and at what cost you will reach the result: a driving licence. It is important to balance available time and financial resources. We offer two learning strategies: the fastest and the cheapest.

The fastest result can be achieved by studying theory and practice, driving lessons, in parallel. From the beginning of training, it is recommended to study theory regularly, solve tests and at the same time complete the other requirements for obtaining a driving licence.

It is especially important to complete the medical commission and obtain the first aid certificate as early as possible. Completing these formalities in time helps avoid situations where training has been completed but it is not possible to register for exams because some requirements are still unfinished.

During theory training, it is also recommended to start driving lessons. Practical experience helps to better understand road traffic rules, traffic organization and different situations on the road. Theoretical knowledge, in turn, makes it possible to learn practical driving skills more effectively.

Regular test practice, mistake analysis and theory revision help prepare more successfully for the driving school and CSDD theory exams. Meanwhile, regular driving lessons allow the student to gradually develop vehicle control skills, strengthen confidence and reduce the number of lessons needed in the long term.

If theory training, first aid courses, the medical commission, driving training and exam preparation take place in parallel, the learning process becomes significantly more efficient. This approach allows time to be used optimally.

The cheapest way to obtain a driving licence is to finish theory training first, studying it in a sprint, and only then start frequent driving training. This strategy assumes that theory learning during practical training is kept to the minimum possible so that the number of driving lessons does not increase.

Both strategies require financial availability for continuous driving training. If the student does not have stable cash flow at the time of training, Presto Driving School's financial partner can offer a three-month interest-free loan. By approaching borrowing very responsibly, the student can significantly reduce the number of driving lessons needed and the total expenses, even if the loan repayment period becomes slightly longer. Only a small number of driving schools provide such an option.

Presto Driving School is one of the largest and most experienced driving schools.

The driving school stands out with training programs that combine the experience of the most developed European countries. The methodological examples and exam tips included in the training make the learning process more effective.

Presto offers an exclusive distance learning platform with the widest range of courses in Latvia. According to CSDD data in 2025, Presto students had the best state theory exam results. Over the last 10 years, the driving school has been a stable leader in theory training both in person and remotely.

The school's internal system includes a two-level referral system that rewards you generously if you recommend the driving school to friends and acquaintances. This gives you the opportunity to cover all of your driving training costs.

Presto is one of the few driving schools for whose training it is possible to receive a refund of up to EUR 360 from VID. You can read more about it here: presto.lv/en/vid-may-refund-up-to-eur-360-for-driving-school-expenses.

Presto Driving School is among the few driving schools that allow a potential client to review the training contract before signing it. It is one of the most consumer-friendly contracts on the market. Together with the electronic driving lesson organization system, this makes it possible to achieve the lowest total costs and spend the least time obtaining a driving licence. On average, you can expect to save at least EUR 500 and one month compared with any other driving school if all opportunities offered by the school are used. At Presto, you will need a significantly smaller number of driving lessons, which is also the main basis of the calculation.

Changing the instructor is definitely useful if availability is low, cooperation is not ethical, communication is difficult or the desired results are not being achieved.

Changing driving instructors is usually one of the main recommendations at a driving school, because it can have several important advantages. It can help save both time and money, because the student gains broader experience and develops the necessary skills more effectively. The main advantages of changing instructors are that a good instructor can only be found through comparison, frequent driving lessons, and contact with different specialists and cars helps prepare psychologically for both exams and real life. Frequent driving and a good instructor will help you prepare for driving exams faster and more cheaply.

Free instructor changes are available only at driving schools with an electronic driving organization system. In other driving schools, changing instructors is administratively difficult.

Most driving schools offer the possibility to view instructors on their websites and choose the most suitable one. The amount of information about an instructor differs significantly depending on the driving school: lesson length, price, instructor's years of experience, reviews, training car, gearbox type, lesson starting location, teaching languages, training categories, training city, schedule information and instructor qualification level. Detailed information about instructors at Presto Driving School can be found here: presto.lv/en/instructors.

In driving schools with electronic driving training organization, the student sees all available instructors in the chosen city. The student chooses an available lesson time and arrives at the indicated starting point at the set time without having to call the instructor. Presto uses exactly this type of system.

Driving schools without an electronic system provide the contact details of one or more instructors, and the student contacts the instructor personally to agree on driving lessons. Choosing another instructor at a later stage of training will be administratively difficult from the driving school's side: the student must justify the change with an application, and the driving school evaluates it.

B and A2 categories can be started from the age of 16, but state exams can be taken and the driving licence obtained from the age of 18.
A category can be started from the age of 22 (provided that B category has been obtained), while state exams can be taken from the age of 24.
A1 and AM categories can be started from the age of 14, and exams can be taken from the age of 16.
BE category can be started from the age of 18 if B category has been obtained.
C category can be started from the age of 19 (if B category has been obtained), while exams can be taken from the age of 21.
D category can be started from the age of 22 (if C category has been obtained), while exams can be taken from the age of 24.

It is important to assess in good time how much time is needed to obtain the licence and to plan the training process so that it complies with the terms set in the contract. It should be noted that the driving school theory exam can be passed one day before reaching the required age, while the CSDD exam can be taken the next day after reaching that age.

To enrol at a driving school, a valid identity document (passport or ID card) and a declared place of residence in Latvia are required. Enrolment at a driving school usually takes place by filling in a form on the driving school's website, after which the driving school contacts the applicant to agree on the procedure for signing the contract. Presto Driving School provides the option to sign the contract remotely, saving time for both parties.

Foreign citizens need a valid personal identity number and a declared place of residence in Latvia for at least six months before enrolling at a driving school.

You can enrol and sign the contract remotely on the Presto website: presto.lv/en, by filling in your details in the indicated forms and confirming the conclusion of the contract with a payment for document processing. The contract can also be signed in person at the Presto Driving School office in Riga, Centre branch, at Gertrudes iela 19/21. Remote contract signing costs EUR 20, while in-person signing costs EUR 30.

The frequency of driving lessons is mainly determined by the driving school's schedule, instructor availability and the student's own availability.

According to Cabinet of Ministers regulations, a student may attend one driving lesson per day. However, lessons can be scheduled every day, depending on instructor availability and the student's circumstances.

Regular driving lessons help develop the necessary skills faster, reinforce acquired knowledge and prepare more effectively for the CSDD driving exam.

At driving schools, driving lessons are usually booked through the school's electronic driving lesson scheduling system (website or app), by contacting the instructor by phone or messaging apps, or in some cases through the driving school's administration. Only a small number of Latvian driving schools have a digital service.

At Presto Driving School, driving lessons are booked electronically through the student's profile on the Presto website. To use the system, the student must have signed either a full training contract or a separate driving training contract.

Once the contract is signed, a profile is created for the student, which includes an e-account balance. Before booking driving lessons, the e-account must be topped up with the required amount.

In the system, the student can view the available times of all instructors and choose the most convenient driving lesson time. Searches can be made by city, instructor or a specific day. When choosing an instructor and city, their available times are displayed; when choosing only a date and city, the system shows all instructors available that day and their free time slots.

Once the desired time is selected, the student books it by clicking on the relevant slot and confirming the booking. When booking a driving lesson, the fee is automatically deducted from the e-account balance. After a successful booking, a confirmation with all the driving lesson details is automatically sent to the student's email.

Theory classes at driving schools can take place either in person or remotely. In-person classes follow a fixed schedule, and students must arrive at a specific time and place. With distance learning (video format), study materials are available at any time and can be studied individually, without a strict class schedule, fitting into one's own daily routine. Theory classes usually cover road traffic regulations, the meaning of road signs, principles of safe and responsible driving, as well as various theory tests and situational tasks to prepare for the CSDD theory exam.

At Presto Driving School, theory training takes place both as a full-time in-person course and partly remotely. In the remote courses, part of the theory is studied through video lessons, access to which is provided after registration with CSDD. CSDD registration is completed within two working days. Video lessons are available in the student's profile on the Presto website, while the other part of the lessons takes place in person. In-person lessons follow a class schedule. Registration for in-person lessons can be done in the student's profile, where information about lesson dates, times and locations is available. The student can choose the most convenient available lesson time and location.

When enrolling in a full-time in-person group, lessons must be attended on the set dates according to the class schedule.

At many driving schools, theory can also be studied remotely. At Presto Driving School, part of the theory course can be studied in video format. Video lessons are available on the driving school's website, in the student's profile, under "Theory lessons".

Distance learning has several advantages:
• access to study materials is provided immediately after registration;
• lower costs compared to a full in-person theory course;
• the option to study at a convenient time and place;
• the option to rewatch video lessons to better absorb the material.

This learning format is especially suited to those who want to plan their time flexibly and combine studies with work or other daily activities.

The choice depends on individual learning habits. At the same time, statistics show that 90% of students prefer distance learning.

In-person classes suit those for whom the direct presence of a teacher, a fixed class schedule, discussion and the ability to get answers to questions immediately are important. The study material is shaped by the particular teacher's materials and experience. In-person classes take place considerably less often, so you have to wait for a group to form.

Distance learning suits those who want to study at a convenient time and pace and to repeat material they haven't understood as many times as needed. Studies can begin immediately. There is the option to ask questions right away, but the answer will come by email. At Presto Driving School, there is the option to consult a teacher (in Latvian, Russian, English) at set times. The study material is developed by the driving school's specialists. In Presto's case, that's around 15 specialists whose work on developing the material never stops.

According to CSDD data, the national theory exam results of all 5 distance learning platforms exceed the results of in-person exams. The best distance learning platform for 2025 is Presto Driving School.

It is not possible to study several categories at the same time, because the CSDD system does not allow a student to be registered in several training groups simultaneously.

Online systems for tracking the training schedule, attended lessons and driving training progress are only available at a few Latvian driving schools. The digital solution offered varies by school - some provide full online training records, while others offer only partial information or communication with the instructor. If no such solution is available, progress information can be obtained by contacting the driving school's office or the instructor.

Presto Driving School has such an online system. Presto students have access to an individual profile on the Presto website, where they can conveniently track their training progress. The profile reflects theory lesson attendance and learning progress. If remote training is chosen, the profile also provides theory video recordings that can be rewatched. The profile also allows tracking driving lesson progress - after each lesson the instructor enters an assessment and notes, providing clear information on the skills acquired and the progress made.

At Presto Driving School you can train for categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, BE, C95, D95, CE, C and D, as well as obtain the periodic Code 95 training for professional drivers.

To sit the driving school theory exam, all theory lessons must be completed, and a valid medical certificate and first aid certificate are required.

At some driving schools, an additional fee applies for taking the theory exam. The exam fee can vary between driving schools - at some it is included in the theory course price, at others the theory exam is free, while at others the first or first two exams are free and a set fee applies to each subsequent one.

Information on theory course and exam costs must be stated in the driving school contract, and some driving schools also publish this information on their website.

At Presto Driving School, the first theory exam is free if booked within 10 working days of completing the theory course. A fee of EUR 15 applies to each subsequent theory exam.

To apply for the driving exam, the student must have completed practical training, including all mandatory driving lessons, and have received the instructor's confirmation of readiness for the exam. The driving school theory exam and the CSDD theory exam must have been passed.

For the driving school driving exam, the student must bring a valid identity document (ID card or passport) and a valid learner driving permit.

After completing driving school theory training and successfully passing the driving school theory exam, the student can apply for the CSDD theory exam.

The CSDD driving exam can be applied for once all the required theory and practical training requirements have been met. This includes successfully passing the driving school theory exam, the CSDD theory exam and the driving school driving exam, as well as all the necessary notes that the driving school and the driving instructor have entered in the CSDD register.

In accordance with CSDD procedure, the driving instructor electronically registers information about the student's driving lessons in the CSDD register, while the driving school marks the student's readiness for the driving exam after training is completed.

Application for the CSDD theory and driving exams takes place in the e-CSDD system, where the student can view the available exam times.

When applying for the CSDD theory and driving exams, Presto Driving School students must indicate the booked CSDD theory and driving exam date in their profile.

After passing the driving school theory and driving exams, you can apply for and take the CSDD theory exam immediately. It is recommended to take the CSDD theory and driving exams as soon as possible, at the nearest available date after passing the driving school exams.

At Presto Driving School, after passing the driving school theory exam, the CSDD theory exam must be booked within 3 days and taken no later than 14 days from the date of passing the driving school exam.

The driving exam, both at the driving school and at CSDD, can only be taken after both theory exams have been successfully passed.

A category B contract is usually signed for 3 years. The deadlines for taking the theory and driving exams depend on the training status and the specific driving school's contract terms. In most cases, the theory exam must be passed within 1 year, while the driving exams must be passed within 3 years.

It is important to note that if the driving exam is not passed within one year of passing the CSDD theory exam, the CSDD theory exam will have to be retaken.

The number of theory exam questions can vary between driving schools, depending on the chosen category. At some driving schools, the exam consists of 60 questions and only one mistake is allowed, while at others the exam may consist of 30 or 35 questions, with one to three mistakes allowed, similar to the CSDD exam. The number of questions also often depends on the chosen category.

The driving school theory exam can often be taken either in person or remotely. This depends on the options offered by the specific driving school and how the training process is organised.

Presto Driving School offers both options.

Electronic recording of driving training progress in the CSDD system allows both the driving school and CSDD to control the entire training process. If lessons are not registered correctly, problems may arise when registering for the CSDD driving exam, because the minimum number of lessons is required. Therefore, it is safer to choose a driving school with an electronic driving lesson organization system and transparent electronic records.

If payment has been made officially and the driving school is a registered educational institution, the student may be eligible for a refund of training expenses in the amount of EUR 360. More information is available here.

Official registration of driving training provides the state with the statistics needed to plan a training process appropriate for road safety.

The mandatory minimum number of driving lessons is linked to the theoretical eligibility to take the driving school and state driving exam. However, it often also requires the instructor's confirmation in the driving school and CSDD systems.

At Presto Driving School, the length of a driving lesson is set according to industry practice - one driving lesson is 2 academic hours, or 90 minutes.

Minimum number of driving lessons by category:
• Category B and C - 10 lessons (20 academic hours);
• Category A and A2 - 5 lessons (10 academic hours);
• Category BE - 4 lessons (8 academic hours);
• Category D - 6 lessons (12 academic hours).

There is no minimum number of driving lessons for AM and A1, as driving school training is not mandatory for these categories, and people can prepare for the CSDD exams through self-study.

It should be noted that for people with no prior vehicle-driving experience, the number of driving lessons needed for categories A, A2 and B is often considerably higher than the minimum set out in the regulations.

Looking at category B, no more than 10% of students manage with the minimum of 10 driving lessons set out in the training regulations (Cabinet Regulation No. 358). These are mainly people who have had experience outside the driving school - prior preparation accompanied by friends or parents. Most people need more lessons, while some students need significantly more to reach a confident level of driving.

The number of driving lessons needed varies from student to student. It is influenced by the driving school's business model (client commission fee / electronic driving lesson scheduling system), contract terms (rushing driving training during the theory training period), prior driving experience, and the gearbox chosen. It also depends on your own learning strategy - whether you want to spend the minimum time needed to prepare for the CSDD exam, or to gain real skills: the ability to navigate traffic independently, follow road traffic regulations, make safe decisions, and confidently handle a vehicle in various traffic situations.

Statistics from Riga instructors (and also Liepaja, Daugavpils) show that on average students are prepared for the CSDD driving exam with 25-30 driving lessons, while at Presto Driving School this is achieved with on average 5 fewer lessons - around 20-25 lessons, indicating a more efficient training process.

The low minimum number of driving lessons has arisen as a result of very long-standing, market-distorted data collection, as many instructors do not register the driving lessons given with CSDD in order to optimise their income. This illegal practice, in turn, causes ongoing tension between students, instructors and driving schools. People have come to believe that the legal minimum corresponds to the driving school's (instructor's) capacity and duty to prepare them for the driving exam. This view is far from the truth.

CSDD wants to see 3,000-5,000 km of experience for the driving exam, but 50-100 lessons (one lesson averaging 50 km) would be very expensive at driving school rates. This creates a huge contradiction between CSDD exam requirements and people's expectations. One solution is experience gained outside the driving school. Presto Driving School has a campaign called the Dad's Challenge, which teaches how to carry out training in a maximally controlled way, gain experience outside the driving school, and reduce costs.

Effective learning is best described by: time-money-motivation. Training is most often extended by irregular theory study, infrequent driving lessons, absences, and insufficient exam preparation. Presto Driving School's approach guides the student through a clear, structured training process, which helps reduce unnecessary breaks and speed up the learning process.

The student's motivation also has a significant impact. If the training process is treated as a priority, and a driving licence is critically needed to get a job, increase income, or essential for freedom of movement, the student engages more actively in both theory study and practical lessons, which significantly shortens the training time. Low motivation, on the other hand, often leads to postponed lessons and an irregular learning process.

The duration of training is also affected by time planning. Many students combine driving school with work, studies or other daily commitments, so the frequency and regularity of lessons is often limited. If lessons are missed or scheduled infrequently, the training process drags on, as more time is needed to reinforce previously learned knowledge and skills.

Financial circumstances are also a significant factor. If driving lessons are attended less often, longer gaps form between them, during which some skills may fade or weaken. This means more time often has to be spent on repetition in subsequent lessons, which increases the total number of lessons needed, extends the training process and makes it more expensive. Presto Driving School addresses this through financing via a partner company.

Students who choose driving training with a manual gearbox and pass the exam in a manual car may, after obtaining their driving licence, drive both manual and automatic cars. Students who take the exam with an automatic gearbox, however, may only drive automatic-transmission cars after obtaining their licence. Drivers who have obtained a driving licence with an automatic gearbox can retake the driving exam in a manual-gearbox car without going through a driving school.

Driving lessons with an automatic gearbox are most often chosen by students who already know they plan to use only automatic cars in everyday life.

Choosing training with a manual gearbox gives students wider options in the future, but the training process is usually somewhat more complex and longer, as more technical skills and nuances need to be learned. Driving training with an automatic gearbox, on the other hand, is often simpler, faster and more economical - on average fewer driving lessons are needed to reach the required skill level and prepare for the exam. There are cases where instructors note that, given a student's particular way of perceiving their surroundings, it would be simpler and faster for them to train with an automatic gearbox.

Presto Driving School also has an Open Day article available, providing a broad and detailed comparison of gearbox training, including information on future vehicle running costs.

To successfully learn road traffic regulations, the most effective approach is usually to combine studying theory with regularly solving tests. Simply reading the regulations or listening to lectures is often not enough - it's important to regularly test your knowledge.

Everyone's perception is different: for some, information is better retained by listening, for others by reading, and for others by making notes and visual aids.

The regularity of study also matters a great deal. It is advisable to study systematically and avoid long breaks between sessions, as this helps better retain and reinforce the knowledge gained. Regularly reviewing theory and doing tests considerably improves exam readiness and safe participation in road traffic. Focus, patience and pace are essential.

For some students, understanding of road traffic regulations is also reinforced through practical driving lessons, where theoretical knowledge can be connected to real traffic situations. This learning approach can be effective, but is not the most cost-efficient.

In Latvian driving schools, various additional aids are usually available for preparing for the theory exam. Most often these include online learning systems with tests similar to the CSDD theory exam, as well as explanations of mistakes that help better understand the errors made.

Driving schools also often offer internal mock exams that simulate the real CSDD theory exam. Additionally, teacher-prepared notes, explanations of traffic situations and analysis of common mistakes may be available. Some driving schools also provide videos or other visual materials that make it easier to understand more complex traffic situations.

Some driving schools also offer individual consultations or extra lessons where unclear questions can be discussed with a teacher. The amount and content of available study materials can vary depending on the specific driving school.

Presto Driving School has specially prepared theory tests for its students to help them prepare for both the driving school theory exam and the CSDD theory exam, as well as to improve their knowledge for self-study.
The driving school theory exam test is available here: presto.lv/en/driving-school-theory-test-exam
The CSDD theory exam test is available here: presto.lv/en/csdd-test-exam-online

Road traffic regulation and exercise books are also very useful. Presto Driving School also offers the option to purchase training books. The available books and their prices can be viewed here: presto.lv/en/driving-school-books

In addition, Presto Driving School offers its students consultations with a teacher on unclear theory questions.

When starting training at Presto Driving School, you should expect the following initial costs:

• document processing/registration fee - EUR 20 if the contract is signed on the website, or EUR 30 if signed in person.
• theory training fee - from EUR 20 to EUR 90 depending on the chosen category and training format (online or in person).
• first instalment for driving lessons - from EUR 100 to EUR 252 depending on the chosen category.

To find out the exact costs and calculate the total training costs for your chosen category, a price calculator is available on the Presto Driving School website.

The available payment methods can vary depending on the driving school, but in Latvia the following payment options are most commonly offered:

• bank transfer;
• payment by bank card (in person or online);
• cash payments (at some driving schools);
• instalment solutions (at some driving schools).

At Presto Driving School, payments can be made by bank transfer, payment card or in cash at the Presto Driving School Centre branch, Gertrudes iela 19/21, Riga. Payment can also be made using Presto Driving School's bank details, available on the website: presto.lv/en/contacts.

Presto also offers the option to pay for driving school services in instalments using ESTO financing solutions. This option can be used to pay for theory courses, driving training and other driving school services according to the specific offer. Once financing is approved, Presto receives full payment for the service, while the client makes payments to ESTO.

Cabinet Regulation No. 358, Articles 36, 36¹, 37 and 57, which governs training, establishes that the driving school is responsible for the training as a whole. To ensure control over this, all payments must be made to the driving school. It follows that direct payments to the instructor within driving school training are unlawful. It is very important that the instructor continues to operate within the driving school training system.

Personal income tax paid to VID can also be reclaimed only for payments made officially to the driving school: presto.lv/en/vid-may-refund-up-to-eur-360-for-driving-school-expenses, provided that all stated conditions are met.

This approach helps ensure a transparent training process, accurate payment records and reduces risk if the student has any claims regarding payments made and services received.

Many driving schools offer gift cards that can be used to purchase their services. At Presto Driving School, a gift card can be purchased for all categories. The gift card is intended to cover the registration fee (for in-person contracts only), and theory and driving lesson fees. The gift card amount is chosen by the giver.

The gift card is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase, but it can be extended for an additional fee.

The gift card can be purchased in person at the Presto Driving School office in Riga, Centre branch, at Gertrudes iela 19/21, or on the Presto website, by paying via bank transfer or payment card. The gift card can be purchased on the website here.

Yes, switching driving schools is possible. If the switch is made before the theory course is completed, theory training at the new driving school will have to start from the beginning. This also means the record of completed driving lessons is lost, although the experience gained remains.

If, on the other hand, the theory course has already been completed and only driving lessons are of interest, it is possible to sign a separate driving training contract.

A full training contract or a driving-only training contract with Presto Driving School can be signed, for example, here.

Many driving schools in Latvia offer not only theoretical and practical training, but also the option to complete a first aid course and obtain the medical certificate required to get a driving licence. This allows future drivers to handle the necessary formalities more conveniently and in one place.

Presto Driving School provides both first aid courses and the option to complete a medical assessment. The first aid course consists of two sessions - the theoretical part is organised remotely, while the practical session takes place in person. At the end of the course, a test is taken, after successful completion of which a certificate is issued that is required to obtain a driving licence. You can apply for the course and sign the contract on the Presto Driving School website here.

To obtain a medical certificate, you need to undergo a health check with the relevant specialists. Presto Driving School offers the option to complete the medical assessment in Riga, at Emilijas Benjaminas iela 11, and in Ventspils, at Talsu iela 39A. The health check usually takes no more than 30 minutes. A valid identity document must be brought to the appointment. Before attending the medical assessment, payment must be made and a contract signed on the Presto Driving School website here.

When enrolling at a driving school, it is advisable to check whether both services are offered, as completing them in one place significantly simplifies organising the training process.

Foreign nationals can also study at driving schools in Latvia. Theory and practical training, besides Latvian, is available in both Russian and English.

For a foreign national to obtain a driving licence in Latvia, they need to:
• be a declared resident of Latvia for at least 6 months;
• have a valid Latvian personal identity number.

Only a small number of driving schools offer training in foreign languages. Presto Driving School is among the few driving schools that train foreign nationals, and the only driving school in Latvia that offers a partly remote category B theory course in English, providing convenient and accessible training for international students.

Presto's administration can be contacted by phone, as well as via WhatsApp, Viber and Telegram, by calling or messaging +371 288 131 88, or by visiting in person at the Centre branch in Riga, Gertrudes iela 19/21.

Presto Driving School's administration can also be contacted by email, at info@presto.lv.

Presto Driving School's administration office hours are weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.

Phone calls and WhatsApp messages are answered as soon as possible. Missed calls and messages received outside office hours are processed the next working day. Calls and messages received at weekends are reviewed and answered on the following Monday.

Presto Driving School's internal system offers a unique two-tier referral programme that gives you the chance to earn a reward for recommending the driving school to friends and acquaintances. By recommending the driving school and bringing in new students, you can earn up to EUR 1,000 in rewards towards paying for your own driving lessons.

The most convenient way to review driving school availability by city is through portals dedicated to driving schools, or by asking an AI. Only 2 Latvian driving schools teach in almost all of Latvia (Einstein, Presto). Some lessons can be taken remotely, while in-person lessons take place at CSDD regional centres (in cities of national importance).

Exact information on available groups, lesson locations and times can vary depending on the chosen category and period, so it is advisable to check driving school websites and contact the driving school's administration to find out the current schedules and available training groups.

Driving training can begin after completing a medical assessment and obtaining a learner driving permit (white permit).

Article 60 of the training regulations (Cabinet Regulation No. 358) states that initial driving training takes place in a restricted area (a driving ground). After completing initial training, the instructor checks at the driving ground how well the learner has acquired driving skills. Training drives on public roads may only take place once the learner has sufficiently mastered the driving skills.

Article 55 of the same regulations states that learner driving may begin after acquiring basic CSN knowledge (regulations on priority, mandatory and prohibition road signs, traffic regulation, starting to drive and changing direction, vehicle positioning on the roadway and driving at intersections). This clearly refers to driving on public roads - in traffic - and applies to people with no prior vehicle-driving experience.

The CSDD system allows the first driving lesson to be registered after completing the 1st theory lesson. The same procedure applies at Presto Driving School, but it may differ at other driving schools.

The duration of training at a driving school largely depends on the student themselves and the chosen vehicle category. Some categories, such as A or BE, can be completed in as little as two weeks, but this requires regular involvement in the training process and active preparation for both theoretical and practical lessons.

For training to proceed successfully and efficiently, it is important to study regularly and avoid long breaks between lessons. It is advisable to plan time for theory and practical lessons in advance, so that the training process is uninterrupted and the category can be obtained as quickly as possible.

The time it takes to start training at each driving school depends on its internal procedures and organisational principles.

At Presto Driving School, if a contract for a full in-person theory course is signed, lessons begin on the scheduled date once the relevant group has been formed.

If, on the other hand, the distance learning programme is chosen (8 video lessons and 3 in-person sessions), access to study materials is provided within 2 working days of signing the contract.

A driving instructor is a qualified specialist holding an instructor certificate issued by CSDD. They may teach driving in a particular category if they hold a driving licence in that category and have at least 3 years of driving experience. In Latvian driving school practice, driving instructors almost always operate as independent service providers - sole traders, individual merchants or companies - rather than as employees of the driving school. The driving school's students receive practical training from an instructor based on a contract between the instructor and the driving school, while individual clients outside the driving school training process are served under a separate service contract.

Practical driving training takes place using a training vehicle - a car specially equipped and compliant with regulatory requirements. A category B training car must have valid insurance and a permit to take part in road traffic, and must be fitted with a learner-driver sign, additional mirrors and the instructor's duplicate pedals. For categories B, C1, C, D1 and D, the conversion of the vehicle into a training vehicle must be registered in the State Register of Vehicles and Their Drivers maintained by CSDD. Training vehicles are also subject to enhanced technical inspection - after the initial legally set intervals, subsequent state technical inspections must be carried out every six months. This equipment and oversight ensures that the instructor can intervene immediately if necessary and help prevent a dangerous situation.

Before starting training, the instructor must establish the client's status and the purpose of the training, as this determines which regulations apply. If a person is studying at a driving school to obtain a driving licence or a new category, the instructor operates within the driving school's training process, which is governed by Cabinet Regulation No. 358 "Regulations on the Training of Vehicle Drivers and Vehicle Driver Training Programmes". If the person already holds a driving licence in the relevant category and only wants to refresh or improve their driving skills, the instructor may provide an individual service outside the driving school training process - in accordance with requirements governing economic activity, by issuing an invoice or a document confirming the transaction and receiving direct payment from the client, provided there are no other contractual restrictions.

A driving instructor's duty is not simply to sit next to the student in the car. In practical driving training, the instructor is responsible for ensuring the lesson takes place safely, lawfully and with a clear learning goal.

The instructor's duties during practical training are:

1. Check that the student is entitled to take part in learner driving. Before the lesson, the instructor must make sure the student holds a valid learner driving permit (white permit) or another document confirming the right to drive a vehicle during learner driving in that particular situation.
2. Confirm that the student is part of the driving school's training process. If a person is obtaining a driving licence or a new category at the driving school, the instructor trains them as a driving school student, not as their own private client.
3. Register the driving lesson. When starting a driving lesson, the instructor must ensure that information about the lesson is correctly entered into the CSDD register.
4. Check the suitability and safety of the training vehicle. Before driving, the instructor must make sure the training vehicle is technically sound, fitted with the necessary training equipment, and safe to use for the lesson.
5. Provide initial training in a safe environment. If the student does not yet have sufficient basic skills, training must begin in a restricted area or driving ground. Driving in traffic may only begin once the student has sufficiently mastered the basics of driving the vehicle.
6. Explain the goal of the lesson. Before driving, the instructor must explain what is to be covered in that particular lesson - for example, basic vehicle control, intersections, lane changes, turns, parking, driving in heavy traffic, or exam-route-type situations.
7. Teach sequentially, not chaotically. The instructor must guide the student from simpler to more complex skills. The student must not be thrown into traffic or complex situations if they are not yet ready to handle them safely.
8. Continuously assess the student's skills. During the lesson, the instructor assesses what the student already knows, where they make mistakes, what needs to be repeated, and whether the student is ready for the next stage of training.
9. Ensure traffic safety. The instructor must monitor road conditions, other road users and the student's actions. If necessary, the instructor must intervene immediately with instructions or the training car's duplicate controls.
10. Explain mistakes and their consequences. It is the instructor's duty not only to point out that the student made a mistake, but also to explain why it is a mistake, how it can affect traffic safety, and how to act correctly next time.
11. Provide professional feedback. After the lesson, the instructor must say what the student managed well, what still needs improvement, and what the next training step should be.
12. Inform the driving school of the student's readiness for the driving school and CSDD driving exam.
13. Provide the student with information on exam procedure and prepare them for it.

Additional duties at Presto Driving School:

1. Behave ethically towards colleagues, not belittling the work of other instructors or CSDD examiners.
2. Make entries in the driving school's electronic system on driving lesson attendance and student progress, ensuring teamwork in training.
3. Plan their lesson schedule in advance and cancel lessons in accordance with the contract terms.

In Latvian driving school practice, driving instructors are not employees of the driving school but operate as independent service providers - sole traders, individual merchants or companies. The driving school's students receive practical training from the instructor based on a company contract with the driving school. The instructor receives a fixed fee for each lesson given.

At the vast majority of Latvian driving schools, the instructor pays a client-acquisition commission fee to the driving school, which Presto considers an unlawful industry practice. A small number of driving schools have an electronic driving organisation system in which no such commission fee exists.

When training driving school students, the instructor is subject to special regulatory requirements - Cabinet Regulation No. 358, Regulations on the Training of Vehicle Drivers and Vehicle Driver Training Programmes. Under these regulations:

1. The instructor may not receive payment from the student. Article 36¹ states that all payment must be made only to the driving school.
2. The instructor may not tell the student that the relationship with the driving school ends after 10 lessons (20 academic hours). The instructor may not turn a driving school student into their own individual client. Article 37 states that the number of driving hours needed for exam readiness is determined by the driving school, not the instructor.
3. Articles 36, 36¹ and 37 state that the driving school ensures control over the entire training process and bears direct responsibility for it, while Article 57 states that the training institution must ensure that the instructors involved in training comply with the regulatory requirements.

Under the regulations, the driving school is responsible for driving training, but in practice the actual control over driving training at driving schools lies with the instructor. Driving training follows the instructors' individual training programmes, as Latvian driving schools do not have their own detailed methodological driving programmes. As an outsourced service provider, the instructor effectively takes over the driving school's function - determining the content, pace and quality of training and the student's readiness - while the driving school retains legal responsibility. This means driving schools are forced to rely on instructors' qualifications and good faith, but often their commercial interest takes precedence. This is especially significant in cases where the driving school's client-acquisition commission fee needs to be recouped and driving training is artificially prolonged, which is the most common student complaint.

This causes financial harm to the student, while the driving school faces quality and reputational risks. In Presto's view, the solution is an electronic driving organisation system and a unified methodological driving training programme for the driving school.