Road conditions across Latvia are hazardous this morning due to widespread ice and snow, authorities have reported. The Latvian State Roads (LV Ceļi) stated that many regional roads are experiencing difficult driving conditions, with 138 winter maintenance vehicles deployed as of this morning, February 20, 2026.
Drivers are being urged to exercise caution when planning journeys, allowing extra time for travel, adjusting speed to match road surface conditions, and maintaining a safe following distance. The warning, issued around 6:30 AM local time, comes as significant snowfall has impacted much of the country.
According to LV Ceļi, road maintenance crews are actively clearing snow and applying anti-slip materials to affected road sections. The agency’s statement did not specify which regional roads are most severely impacted, but indicated the difficulties are nationwide.
The need for specialized documentation for non-EU citizens driving for commercial purposes in Latvia is dependent on their destination. According to the State Portal of Latvia, transport operators employing Latvian non-citizens for transport solely within Latvian territory, or to Russia or Belarus without transit through other EU or European Economic Area countries, are not required to obtain a driver’s certificate for those employees. However, a driver’s certificate is required for Latvian non-citizens transporting goods within the EU, and EEA.
Driver certificates are valid for a maximum of five years, but cannot exceed the validity of the employment contract, passport, residence permit/visa, driver’s license, or periodic training certification.
