Driving in Armenia vs. Latvia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Armenia and Latvia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking practices, and alcohol tolerances. While Armenia allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, Latvia maintains stricter lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these variances can significantly enhance safety while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
armenia:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
latvia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
latvia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
armenia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
latvia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
armenia:
0.02%
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
armenia:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
armenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days