Or you will have to pay a fine of up to 2000 euros
From February 15, restrictions will begin to apply in Latvia for cars with Russian license plates. According to the publication Kommersant, the owners will face confiscation or a fine in the amount of 750 to 2000 euros. The Latvian Parliament made a corresponding decision back in November last year, and a ban on the entry of cars with Russian license plates into the Baltic countries was introduced in September.
It was assumed that over the past six months, owners of cars with Russian license plates had to re-register them or take them out of Latvia. One of the residents of Riga told the newspaper that he was unable to register Latvian license plates for his car, since his model, although of European production, was intended for Russia and did not have EU certification.
Another owner noted that re-registration of a car costs about 30% of its value, taking into account tax and customs duties. Therefore, he chose to take his car out of Latvia for sale in Russia and use the funds received to purchase a new vehicle in Europe. He noted that this is more profitable, given the increase in car prices in Russia compared to the European Union.
Restrictions do not apply to drivers with Russian license plates transiting through Latvia. However, they will have to prove that they were in the country for less than 24 hours and have the intention to leave it. Otherwise, their car may also be confiscated.