Driving in Latvia vs. Slovakia: Key Safety Differences
The driving landscape in Latvia and Slovakia presents a fascinating contrast. From speed limits to road etiquette, each country has its unique rules. Notably, Latvia allows right turns on red, while Slovakia prohibits it. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
slovakia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Not used in Slovakia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay