Latvia expands accident report rules from 2027

Drivers in Latvia will be able to file an agreed accident report in more situations from 2027, under amendments to the Road Traffic Law adopted by parliament on Thursday, LSM reports.

The report may be used when more than two vehicles are involved, unless the State Police gives other instructions. If an accident poses no significant risk to traffic or people’s safety, drivers will be able to complete the report after receiving police instructions, without waiting for officers to arrive. Police will also be able to assess accident circumstances remotely.

In some cases, including damage to third-party property, road infrastructure or an unattended parked vehicle, a driver will be able to file the report alone after contacting police and following its instructions.

The amendments also clarify when police must be notified. Drivers must report accidents involving injuries, damage to third-party property, more than two vehicles or disagreement over what happened. Police must also be informed if a wild animal is injured, road infrastructure is damaged, a driver is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substances, a vehicle is too damaged to be driven, or a damaged vehicle’s driver is not at the scene.

The changes also allow holders of TR2, C1E, D1E, C, CE, D and DE driving licences to operate an agricultural tractor with a trailer, interchangeable towed equipment or an implement. An electronically issued one-day permit recorded in the state information system will also confirm permission for a tractor to travel on public roads to a vehicle inspection station.