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Driving in Latvia – Recommendations, Tips and Tricks
10. Motorists with the driving experience of less than two years should keep in mind special rules that apply to them. For this category of drivers, the maximum allowed blood alcohol content is 0.2 ppm. Even a slight excess of the norm will result in a fine ranging from 150 to 300 latu. Suspension of the driving license for a period of 1 to 6 months is a typical additional punishment in that case.
11. In Latvia, motorists are required to drive with headlights turned on, regardless of time of the day and weather conditions. If the rule is violated during the daytime, the penalty will be 5 lati, and if you fail to use headlights at night or in poor visibility, the fine will be increased to 30 lati.
12. Children under 14 years old with the height of less than 150 cm can be transported in a vehicle only if it’s equipped with special restraint systems. The use of seat belts is mandatory for the driver and all passengers in the vehicle. The fine for this violation is 20 latu.
Hints on Car Hire in Latvia
When choosing a car for your Latvia trip, don’t forget to check and compare the franchise amount (indicated in the rental conditions) for all cars considered in your selection. The franchise may vary from 200 to 2000 euro/dollars even for cars of the same class. A thorough comparison will allow you to choose the option with the lowest franchise.
During your booking, we will offer you to take a full coverage of the franchise ('No Risk' or 'No Excess' package). If you book a car without full coverage, it is recommended to take it at the pick-up time - this will substantially reduce your financial liability in Latvia for the whole rental period.
During your car pick-up in Latvia, do not forget to check what to do in breakdown-, accident- or theft-cases. Most of our offers include 'Breakdown Assistance' package. Besides this, every rental office would be happy to assist you with this package.
Prior to the car return, please check your voucher for the fuel conditions. If it is indicated that a driver shall return the car with a full tank, do not forget to refuel it on the way back, this will save you from additional charges at the rental office.
14. Local police have no right to impose fines on the spot, so in no case should drivers even try to offer money to them. Such actions will be considered an attempt to give a bribe. The fine can be paid off at any bank branch. That must be done within 30 days.
15. Local petrol stations sell diesel fuel and unleaded gasoline (95 and 98). Gas refueling stations are also popular in the country. Tourists, who plan to make long distance rides, should remember that it is allowed to carry petrol in cans.
16. The mandatory equipment that must always be in the vehicle includes a warning triangle, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a reflective vest. Note it is not allowed the get out of the car on the roadside without the vest.
18. The use of radar detectors and similar devices is strictly prohibited. If one of these devices is detected during a police check, the driver will have to pay a fine of 40 latu. Transportation of the devices is also not allowed. If the radar detector is found during the police check, it will certainly be confiscated.
19. There is an important feature about traffic in Latvia – it is allowed to overtake other cars both on the left and right side. This peculiarity comes from the definition of "overtaking" in local traffic regulations.
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