Car Rental in Riga (2026) - Driving Guide & Best Rates
Rent a car in Riga for the freedom to explore Latvia at your own pace, compare top providers and book the perfect vehicle for your trip today.
Driving Requirements
Visitors from EU/EEA countries can use their national license. For most other visitors (e.g., US, UK, Canada), your domestic license is valid for up to six months. But an International Driving Permit (IDP) is a required accompanying document. Rental companies will require both your license and IDP.
The legal minimum driving age in Latvia is 18. However, rental company policies vary significantly. Most major companies require the driver to be at least 21, and many impose a 'young driver' surcharge for those under 25. Some may have a minimum age of 23 or 25 for certain vehicle categories.
By law, all vehicles must have third-party liability (Civil Liability) insurance. This is the absolute minimum and covers damage you cause to others. Rental companies provide this as standard but strongly recommend or require you to purchase additional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection to limit your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself.
Rental companies universally require a credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit (block). Debit cards or cash are typically not accepted for the deposit. The deposit amount varies by company and vehicle class. The card must have sufficient available funds, which will be held for the duration of the rental.
Drive on the right. Right turns on a red light are generally prohibited unless a specific green arrow signal permits it. Headlights must be on at all times, day and night. Trams have priority when leaving stops, and you must yield to them. In winter, winter tires are a legal requirement from December 1 to March 1.
Helpful Tips
For airport convenience versus potentially lower city rates, compare rentals at Riga International Airport (RIX) with downtown offices. Airport rentals often include a surcharge but save transit time.
Conduct a thorough pre-drive inspection, document any damage with photos/video, and carefully review your insurance options, third-party liability is mandatory. But Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and theft protection levels vary significantly by company.
For navigation, Google Maps works reliably for driving in Latvia. Download offline maps for rural areas, as built-in GPS from rental companies usually incurs an extra daily fee.
Most rental cars in Latvia use gasoline (95 or 98 octane) or diesel; fuel stations are widespread, and the standard rental policy is 'full-to-full,' so refuel before returning to avoid high per-liter rates.
In central Riga, paid parking zones (marked with blue lines) require payment via app or meter. Overnight parking is easier and often free in residential areas outside the historic center. But always check signage.
Driving Warnings
In Latvia, turning right on a red light is generally prohibited unless a separate green arrow signal permits it, a rule strictly enforced at major intersections like the Brīvības iela and Satekles iela junction.
You must use winter tires from December 1 to March 1; police conduct frequent checks, on highways like the A1 to Sigulda, and non-compliance results in a fine.
The city center, streets like Krišjāņa Barona iela and Alberta iela, has a complex network of one-way streets, bus lanes, and restricted zones where unauthorized entry triggers automatic camera fines.
Speed cameras are common on major routes like the A10 (Via Baltica) and within Riga on Krasta iela. Enforcement is strict and fines are issued automatically for even minor exceedances.