An agreement has been signed between Latvia and Ukraine on the recognition and exchange of driver's licenses, the Ministry of Transport informed the LETA agency.
The agreement stipulates that citizens of both countries will be able to exchange their driver's licenses issued in their country for a license from the other country without taking exams, thereby significantly simplifying administrative procedures for individuals relocating for permanent residence or staying in another country for an extended period.
The goal of the agreement is to promote mobility of people and mutual cooperation. The ministry notes that it will also bring direct benefits to license holders in both Latvia and Ukraine.
Latvian regulations provide that driver's licenses issued in countries outside the European Union can only be exchanged after passing a driving test, unless an international treaty is concluded. The signing of the agreement with Ukraine addresses this issue by ensuring an equal and mutually recognized approach in both countries.
The agreement also defines the procedure for exchanging driver's licenses, as well as the principles for exchanging personal data. In Latvia, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) is responsible for the exchange of driver's licenses.
The agreement was signed during a plenary session of the Latvian-Ukrainian Cooperation Commission. On the Latvian side, it was signed by Kristaps Zālītis, the parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Transport, and on the Ukrainian side, by Bohdan Drapiatyi, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
During the visit to Ukraine, the Latvian delegation met with responsible institutions in Ukraine in the fields of transport, territorial development, and digital transformation, discussing cooperation between the two countries, including future and current issues in the transport sector and in the area of digitalization of public services.
Zālītis noted that the visit to Ukraine reaffirms Latvia's ongoing support for Ukraine and the commitment of both countries to continue close cooperation, facilitating practical and significant solutions for residents even in challenging geopolitical conditions.
As previously reported by LETA, at the end of January this year, the government supported the draft regulations prepared by the Ministry of Transport for signing the agreement between Latvia and Ukraine on mutual recognition and exchange of driver's licenses.
Before exchanging a driver's license, the applicant will need to present to the competent authority of the other country the original license issued in their country along with a certified translation. The applicant is also required to undergo medical checks as stipulated by the national regulations of the other country for obtaining a driver's license.
