Driving in Latvia vs United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Latvia and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique rules around overtaking and road markings. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
latvia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
latvia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
latvia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
latvia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
latvia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
latvia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
latvia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
latvia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
latvia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
united kingdom:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
latvia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay