Before you start

Proof of residence in Latvia — the declared address is what evidences it
A valid foreign licence that is not suspended or withdrawn
A Latvian medical certificate for drivers
A certified translation where the licence is not in Latvian, English or Russian

Step-by-step

1
Establish which route your licence takes
EU and EEA licences exchange administratively. Licences from other countries generally require the theory examination and often the practical test as well, regardless of how long you have driven.
OnlineWho: You
2
Get a Latvian driver's medical certificate
Issued by an authorised clinic and required for the file. Book it before the CSDD appointment rather than discovering it at the counter.
In personWho: You
3
Book a CSDD appointment
The CSDD's Riga offices handle exchanges and examinations. Bring the original licence, your identity or residence document, the medical certificate and any translation.
OnlineWho: You
4
Sit the theory examination
Taken on a computer at a CSDD centre and available in Latvian, English, French, German or Russian. The fee is modest — around €12 — but the pass is the gate.
In personWho: You≈€12
5
Sit the practical test if required, then collect the licence
The practical test costs around €40. Once passed, the Latvian licence is issued and the foreign licence is normally surrendered.
In personWho: You≈€40

Documents you’ll need

Original foreign driving licence
Identity document or residence permit card
Latvian driver's medical certificate
Certified translation where required
Proof of declared residence in Latvia

Things most newcomers don’t know

You can sit the Latvian theory paper in English, which removes the biggest barrier.

The CSDD offers the computer-based theory examination in Latvian, English, French, German and Russian. That is unusually generous — several neighbouring countries test only in the national language — and it means a non-EU driver's real obstacle is learning Latvian road rules rather than learning Latvian.

Source: CSDD — exchange of a driving licence issued abroad

The exchange window runs from residence, not from when you start driving.

A non-EU licence is expected to be exchanged after about a year of residency in Latvia, and residency is evidenced by your declared address. The clock therefore starts when you declare, which most people do in their first month — long before they think about the car.

Source: CSDD — foreign driving licences

Winter tyres are compulsory from 1 December to 1 March.

Latvian law requires winter tyres in that window, and it applies to hire and company cars too. Riga's winters are wetter and greyer than they are severe, which lulls people — but the requirement is a legal one and enforced, not weather-dependent advice.

Source: Latvian road traffic regulations — seasonal tyre requirement

Riga's tram and trolleybus network makes the car optional for most central residents.

Rīgas satiksme runs an extensive tram, trolleybus and bus network with an e-talons card, and the built-up city is small. Plenty of people who exchange a licence out of habit end up using it for weekends in Kurzeme rather than for commuting. Decide whether you need the car before you spend two exams on it.

Source: Rīgas satiksme — network and e-talons

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming a non-EU licence exchanges on paper — the theory examination is usually required.
Booking the CSDD appointment before obtaining the medical certificate.
Driving on summer tyres between 1 December and 1 March.
Letting the one-year window run out and driving on a licence Latvia no longer recognises.
Turning up with an untranslated licence in a script the CSDD will not accept.

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.