Driving in Latvia vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations and driving norms between Latvia and Norway. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol thresholds and pedestrian priorities, this comparison reveals key distinctions that impact vehicle operation and safety. Equip yourself with knowledge to navigate these unique driving landscapes effectively!
Lanes
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
latvia:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not used in Norway |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
norway:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay