The law will come into force on November 15, but the new norms are to be enforced starting in February. Vehicles with Russian plates will have to be re-registered in Latvia no later than February 14, 2024, or they will have to leave the territory of Latvia.
Until then, the use of a vehicle registered in Russia in road traffic in Latvia is permissible.
An unregistered Russian vehicle moving in Latvia will be confiscated after February 14 and it is planned to transfer those cars to Ukraine.
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.
The requirements of this Law will not apply to, for example, vehicles in the use of the diplomatic and consular service.
Vehicles with Russian numbers will be able to cross the territory of Latvia in transit and must leave the territory within 24 hours.
The Saeima did not support the proposal to ban cars with Belarusian registration numbers from Latvia. Opposition deputy Jānis Vitenbergs (National Alliance) argued that Russian car owners will be able to leave and re-register their vehicles in Belarus and return to Latvia, because vehicles with Belarusian numbers, unlike those registered in Russia, are allowed to enter Latvia.
