Driving in Croatia vs. Latvia: Key Differences Explained
Discover the key contrasts in driving regulations between Croatia and Latvia to enhance your travel safety. From speed limits on highways to unique traffic signals, understanding these distinctions will help ensure a smoother journey. In Latvia, variable speed indications are prominent, while Croatia emphasizes strict enforcement of alcohol laws. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 | Yes | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Latvia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
croatia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
croatia:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | 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 | Fines enforced | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days