It is stipulated that a person will be authorized to drive a vehicle in Latvia with a driving licence issued by the United Kingdom, as was the case until now. Previously, there had been debate on whether Brexit would change the requirements regarding driving licences.
The changes also clarify rules for cyclists. Persons over the age of 18 will not have to own a bicycle 'driving licence' in the future. Cyclists have been required to have a driving licence in Latvia for 20 years, but it has been concluded that this is not in line with the practice of other European countries.
On the other hand, a person aged 10 to 17 will continue to be allowed to ride a bicycle on the road independently if he or she has the licence for a bicycle or any category of vehicle.
Until now, the regulation did not precisely define road traffic rules for electric scooters. But as the number of scooters increases, road safety risks, particularly for pedestrians, are also increasing. Last year 88 road accidents involved electric scooters, the State Police indicated in the meeting of the Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Commission responsible.
The Law includes the definition of the electric scooter, providing that it is a vehicle equipped with an electric motor with a maximum speed of up to 25 kilometers per hour without pedals intended for one person and equipped with a steer or hand support mechanically connected to the foot support surface.
Persons aged over 14 will be allowed to ride an electric scooter with a licence. Persons over 18 years of age will not be required to have a licence.
The same administrative penalties will be applied to electric scooter drivers for infringements as for cyclists.
