Driving in Italy vs. Latvia: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Italy and Latvia, understanding their unique driving regulations is essential for ensuring a smooth journey. Key distinctions include Italy's variable speed limits and the prohibition of right turns on red, whereas Latvia permits such turns and enforces stricter rural speed limits. Prepare yourself for a safe driving experience in these diverse locales!
Lanes
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
latvia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
italy:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
italy:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 apply, strict enforcement | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days