Latvia to start issuing driving licenses of international standard

RIGA - As of January 2, 2020, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) will start issuing driving licenses of the international standard, LETA was told at CSDD.

A driving license of the international standard can prove especially useful to those motorists who plan to travel to some far-away countries, as there have been cases where Latvia's national driving licenses have not been recognized as valid in such countries. 

Countries are obliged to recognize driving licenses issued in other countries under the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. The convention has been joined by practically all European states and many other countries of the world.

The driving licenses of Latvia's national standard are therefore recognized in all countries that have joined the convention and are also recognized in such countries as the US and Canada that have not joined the convention. 

Still, some other countries that have not joined the Vienna convention may not recognize the Latvian driving licenses, so before going there, motorists are advised to take out licenses of the international standard. 

CSDD will issue the driving licenses of the international standard at its customer service centers for the price of EUR 19.84.