📋 Summary
- ✅ Ownership change for a Latvia-registered car: €26.37
- ✅ First registration with two standard plates: €41.88
- ✅ Aggregate/VIN comparison for a Latvia-registered vehicle (if required): +€8.20
- ✅ Aggregate/VIN comparison for an unregistered or imported vehicle before first registration: +€19.25
- ✅ Natural-resources tax at an M1 car’s first permanent registration in Latvia: +€110.00
- ✅ M1 technical inspection, if required: +€36.95
- ✅ First-registration example with the listed conditional services — first registration + VIN comparison for a car not registered in Latvia + natural-resources tax + M1 technical inspection: €208.08
- ✅ Separate: other applicable vehicle taxes and OCTA insurance
- ✅ Deadline: 5 days after the e-CSDD ownership-change approval if the car will be used in traffic
Check the VIN before registration
CSDD checks the documents, but buyers should first rule out import, mileage, lien and accident risks.
Check VIN before registration →What is CSDD?
CSDD (Road Traffic Safety Directorate) is the Latvian state institution responsible for vehicle registration, driver licensing, and road safety. Every vehicle driven on Latvian roads must be registered with CSDD.
Choose the route for your procedure
Identify the registration procedure
An ownership change for a Latvia-registered car and first registration of an imported car are different procedures. Follow e-CSDD for the former; the latter requires presenting the vehicle and documents to CSDD in person.
CSDD e-CSDD ownership-change procedure · CSDD first-registration procedure · First-car buying guide — checked 2026-09-27.
Use e-CSDD for a Latvia-registered car
The buyer submits an ownership-change application in e-CSDD and the seller approves it within 5 days. If the car will be used in traffic, the buyer registers the change within 5 days after the seller approves it. This procedure does not require a branch visit.
CSDD ownership-change procedure — checked 2026-09-27.
Prepare first registration for an imported car
For first registration, present the car and its foreign registration documents to CSDD in person. A certificate of conformity, customs declaration, VAT evidence or other documents are needed only when they apply to the particular vehicle and its origin.
CSDD first-registration documents and procedure — checked 2026-09-27.
Check the inspection requirements
If the inspection has expired, a valid inspection is required before the car is used in traffic. For a vehicle previously registered abroad, the first Latvian technical inspection must be completed within five days after registration in Latvia (Road Traffic Law, Section 16(5⁵)). CSDD may grant Latvian road-use permission without technical control after a visual assessment if a valid authorisation from the previous EU, EEA or Swiss registration country and its inspection data can be verified through the European Commission platform. Otherwise technical control is required after registration, within that deadline. Registration and the five-day deadline alone do not permit driving: valid road-use permission and OCTA insurance are required. checked: 2026-09-27. The M1 initial inspection costs €36.95 (€34.10 + €2.85).
CSDD M1 technical-inspection price list · 16(5⁵) — checked 2026-09-27.
If in-person service is required, book an appointment
For first registration of an imported car or another procedure requiring attendance, check current appointment options in e-CSDD and select a branch. An ownership change for a Latvia-registered car can be completed in e-CSDD without a branch visit.
Present the imported car to CSDD
For first registration, the imported car and its documents must be presented to CSDD in person. CSDD will verify the documents, perform aggregate/VIN number comparison if required, and issue the registration certificate. Use e-CSDD for an ownership change involving a Latvia-registered car.
Documents for an in-person procedure
The list below is a guide for first registration and other procedures that require presenting the vehicle or documents to CSDD. For an ownership change involving a Latvia-registered car, follow the e-CSDD prompts; not every item below is universally required.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| 🪪 Identity document | When the specific in-person procedure requires it |
| 📄 Registration documents | Foreign or previous documents required by the procedure |
| 📝 Proof of acquisition | Agreement, invoice or other evidence when the procedure requires it |
| 🛡️ OCTA | Required before the car is used in traffic, not universally for every registration actionCalculate OCTA — one Agento form, prices from several insurers. · car-insurance guide |
| 💰 TEN | Check and pay it when the tax applies to the specific case |
| 🔍 Inspection or technical control | A valid inspection is needed before traffic use; for imports CSDD may recognise a foreign authorisation or require control |
Registration costs in 2026
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ownership change, registration and new certificate for a Latvia-registered car | €26.37 |
| First registration in Latvia, certificate and two standard plates | €41.88 |
| Aggregate/VIN comparison for a Latvia-registered vehicle, if required | +€8.20 |
| Aggregate/VIN comparison for an unregistered or imported vehicle before first registration | +€19.25 |
| Natural-resources tax at an M1 car’s first permanent registration in Latvia | +€110.00 |
| M1 technical inspection, if required | +€36.95 |
The natural-resources tax and technical inspection are included in the table; other applicable vehicle taxes and OCTA insurance are payable separately. Sources: CSDD ownership-change price list · CSDD first-registration price list · CSDD aggregate-number comparison price list · Natural-resources tax at an M1 car’s first permanent registration in Latvia · M1 technical inspection, if required — tariffs checked 2026-09-27.
First-registration example with the listed conditional services — first registration + VIN comparison for a car not registered in Latvia + natural-resources tax + M1 technical inspection: €208.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car registration cost in Latvia?
For a used car already registered in Latvia, the ownership change, registration and certificate cost €26.37. If aggregate/VIN number comparison is required for a Latvia-registered vehicle, it costs €8.20. First registration in Latvia with two standard plates costs €41.88; aggregate/VIN number comparison for an imported or otherwise unregistered vehicle costs an additional €19.25. At first permanent registration in Latvia, CSDD also collects the €110.00 natural-resources tax for an M1 car. The registration bundle itself is free for a fully electric car issued the special EV plates. Under the CSDD aggregate-number comparison price list, the comparison is also free for a vehicle receiving an EV plate for the first time. OCTA insurance and other applicable vehicle taxes are separate. CSDD tariffs checked 2026-09-27.
When does an imported car need its Latvian inspection?
For a vehicle previously registered abroad, the first Latvian technical inspection must be completed within five days after registration in Latvia (Road Traffic Law, Section 16(5⁵)). CSDD may grant Latvian road-use permission without technical control after a visual assessment if a valid authorisation from the previous EU, EEA or Swiss registration country and its inspection data can be verified through the European Commission platform. Otherwise technical control is required after registration, within that deadline. Registration and the five-day deadline alone do not permit driving: valid road-use permission and OCTA insurance are required. checked: 2026-09-27.
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