🚦 CSDD

Getting your first driving licence (category B)

You can get a category B licence in Latvia from age 18, and start driving school training from 16. The path: a theory course and driving lessons at a driving school, a medical certificate, a first aid course and two state exams at CSDD — theory (11.40 EUR) and driving (50.57 EUR). After passing, the licence issuance costs 22.41 EUR. Total costs are usually 600–1000 EUR depending on the school and number of lessons.

Service passportUpdated: 30.07.2026.

Cost

CSDD: theory 11.40 · driving 50.57 · licence 22.41 EUR · ~600–1000 EUR incl. school

Duration

Usually 3–6 months from starting the course

Deadline

Training from 16 · licence from 18

Where

Driving school · exams at CSDD (book at e.csdd.lv)

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✓ Information verified: 2026-07-30 Report an error

Who this applies to

Anyone getting the right to drive a passenger car for the first time. Before the exams you need: a completed driving school theory course, the school's internal exam passed, the mandatory driving lessons, a valid driver's medical certificate (about 22–55 EUR, valid 10 years for category B) and a first aid course certificate (about 35–60 EUR). You may take the driving exam in an automatic — the licence will then carry restriction code 78 (automatic only).

Step by step

Choose a driving school and get the medical certificate

Compare schools by price and exam pass statistics — CSDD publishes each school's student results (on e.csdd.lv in the driving schools section). In parallel, complete the driver's medical check (family doctor or a medical centre, incl. narcologist and psychiatrist) and sign up for a first aid course.

Complete the theory course and driving lessons

Theory can be studied in person or online. The number of driving lessons is individual — the training programme sets the mandatory minimum, but most people need extra lessons. At the end you take the school's internal exams (the school driving exam usually costs about 30 EUR).

Pass the CSDD theory exam

Book at e.csdd.lv/examt. The fee is 11.40 EUR per attempt. The category B test: 30 questions in 30 minutes, no more than 3 mistakes allowed. The exam can be taken in Latvian or Russian. The official road rules test on the CSDD website helps you prepare.

Pass the driving exam and collect your licence

The driving exam costs 50.57 EUR per attempt; book at e.csdd.lv/examp. It assesses driving in real traffic plus 2 special manoeuvres selected by a computer programme; the exam is video-recorded. If you fail, you may retake no earlier than the next working day (paying again). After passing, collect the licence at a CSDD customer centre — issuance costs 22.41 EUR.

Common mistakes

Choosing a school on price alone — check CSDD's pass-rate statistics; the cheapest school with a low pass rate ends up costing more.

Not budgeting for retakes — each driving exam attempt costs 50.57 EUR, often plus a school fee for using their car in the exam.

Taking the exam in an automatic without realising the code 78 restriction — to drive a manual later you must pass another driving exam.

Leaving the medical certificate and first aid course to the last minute — without them you cannot book the CSDD exams.

Frequently asked questions

How much does getting a category B licence cost in total?

Usually 600–1000 EUR: the school course and driving lessons are the biggest part; state CSDD fees are theory 11.40 EUR, driving exam 50.57 EUR, licence issuance 22.41 EUR (Cabinet Regulation No. 1000). Add the medical certificate (~22–55 EUR) and first aid course (~35–60 EUR).

From what age can you learn and drive?

You can start category B training from age 16 with a learner's driving permit. The driving licence itself is issued from age 18.

What if I fail the driving exam?

You may retake no earlier than the next working day, paying 50.57 EUR again. The exam is video-recorded — if you disagree with the result, you can contest it within one month.

Can I take the exams in Russian?

Yes, the CSDD theory exam can be taken in Latvian or Russian — you choose the language when booking.

Official sources

Verified against official sources · 30.07.2026.