Last year by the Saeima approved a ban on vehicles with registration numbers of the aggressor state Russia participating in road traffic in Latvia. Owners of such vehicles who live in Latvia have had months to re-register their vehicles with Latvian license plates, but only a few dozen have done so.
There will still be a few Russian license plates visible though, with exemptions for diplomatic vehicles and vehicles transiting Latvia en route to other destinations. In such cases drivers will have 24 hours to transit Latvia if they have registered their plan to do so in advance via the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD).
A fine of between EUR 750 and EUR 2000 may be imposed for unauthorized use of a Russian vehicle not registered in Latvia in road traffic. It is also possible that vehicles can be seized.
“If drivers do not have evidence that they are transiting through Latvia, which must be registered with the CSDD, that they will not stay for more than 24 hours, the vehicle will be confiscated,” Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis warned last week in an interview with Latvian Radio.
With the entry into force of the ban, the police do not plan special raids, but can be expected to act when noticing Russian cars on the road.
