Transport vehicles with Russian number plates banned from Latvia

RIGA - The Saeima yesterday adopted amendments to the Road Traffic Law in the final reading, which provide for the prohibition of vehicles registered in Russia from staying in Latvia.

The law stipulates that the owner of vehicles registered in Russia will have to register the vehicle or remove it from Latvia no later than by February 14 next year. The use of Russian-registered vehicles in road traffic in Latvia will be allowed if the person is transiting through the territory of Latvia. A vehicle registered in Russia will be allowed to transit the territory of Latvia only once.

If the vehicle is not registered in Latvia or does not leave Latvia and it is found to be used illegally in road traffic, the vehicle will be confiscated. The confiscated vehicles will be handed over to Ukraine, thus, supporting Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor state.

At the same time, the amendments foresee the obligation for a person to provide information on the vehicle, the driver and the period during which the vehicle will participate in road traffic in Latvia before entering Latvia, using the e-services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate. This period will not exceed 24 hours.

The Justice Ministry pointed out that in view of Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine and the threat to its territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, the stay of Russian-registered vehicles in the territory of Latvia is not allowed. Moreover, vehicles in Russia often do not comply with the requirements of the technical regulations of the European Union and the use of such vehicles in road traffic may endanger road safety.

Similar regulations preventing Russian citizens from driving their own vehicles in the EU territory are also being developed in other countries.