Kiri

Rīgā 21.08.2026 Nr. 04-02/2531 uz 05.08.2026 Nr. ND/44/2026/2070 ALĪNA I ANDRUŠAITE I e-adrese: 02128611812 Informācijai: Ārlietu ministrijai VAS “Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija” Par Latvijas iespējamo pievienošanos 1949. gada Konvencijai par ceļu satiksmi Satiksmes ministrija ir izskatījusi Ārlietu ministrijas pārsūtīto Jūsu 2026. gada 29 . jūlija iesniegumu par Latvijas iespējamo pievienošanos 1949. gada 19. septembra Ženēvas konvencijai par ceļu satiksmi un sniedz šādu atbildi. Japāna ir 1949. gada 19. septembra Ženēvas konvencijas par ceļu satiksmi (turpmāk – Ženēvas konvencija) dalībvalsts, savukārt Latvija ir 1968. gada 8. novembra Vīnes konvencijas par ceļu satiksmi (turpmāk – Vīnes konvencija) dalībvalsts. Valsts akciju sabiedrība “Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija” atbilstoši Vīnes konvencijas prasībām izsniedz tajā noteiktā parauga starptautiskās vadītāja apliecības. Ženēvas konvencija ir spēkā esošs, bet 1949. gadā pieņemts starptautisks tiesību akts, kura regulējums nav pilnībā pielāgots mūsdienu ceļu satiksmes un transportlīdzekļu tehniskās attīstības prasībām. Darbs pie konvencijas visaptverošas atjaunināšanas un pielāgošanas mūsdienu situācijai pašlaik nenotiek. Ženēvas konvencijā noteiktais starptautiskās vadītāja apliecības paraugs atšķiras no Vīnes konvencijā paredzētā parauga. Tādēļ Latvijas pievienošanās gadījumā būtu jānodrošina vēl viena parauga starptautisko vadītāja apliecību izsniegšana. Vienlaikus jāņem vērā, ka pievienošanās Ženēvas konvencijai radītu Latvijai saistības ne tikai attiecībā uz starptautisko vadītāja apliecību izsniegšanu, bet arī citu konvencijas prasību izpildi. Vairākas no tām atšķiras no pašlaik piemērojamā Latvijas un Eiropas Savienības tiesiskā regulējuma, piemēram: transportlīdzekļiem, kas piedalās starptautiskajā satiksmē, papildus reģistrācijas numura zīmei paredzēta atsevišķa valsts pazīšanas zīme – ovāls ar tajā ietvertu valsts apzīmējuma saīsinājumu; mopēdiem paredzētais maksimālais braukšanas ātrums ir 50 km/h, savukārt mūsdienu regulējumā tas ir 45 km/h; konvencijā noteiktās maksimāli pieļaujamo transportlīdzekļu gabarītu, masas un ass slodzes vērtības kopumā ir mazākas par pašlaik pieļaujamajām; konvencijā ietvertais vadītāja apliecību kategoriju iedalījums neatbilst mūsdienu regulējumam, jo tajā nav paredzētas, piemēram, AM, A1, A2 un C1 kategorijas. Satiksmes ministrija informē, ka saskaņā ar Ceļu satiksmes likuma 47. pantu noteiktos gadījumos Japānā izsniegtas vadītāja apliecības jau pašlaik ir izmantojamas transportlīdzekļu vadīšanai Latvijā. Tomēr minētais Latvijas tiesiskais regulējums pats par sevi nerada pienākumu Japānai atzīt Latvijā izsniegtas vadītāja apliecības. Kā alternatīvs risinājums Latvijas vadītāja apliecību atzīšanai Japānā ir vērtēta iespēja starp Latviju un Japānu noslēgt starpvaldību līgumu par vadītāja apliecību savstarpēju atzīšanu. Jautājums par Latvijas pievienošanos Ženēvas konvencijai arī iepriekš ir ticis vērtēts, lai personām ar Latvijā izsniegtu vadītāja apliecību nodrošinātu iespēju Japānā vadīt transportlīdzekli un izmantot transportlīdzekļu nomas pakalpojumus. Iepriekšējās sarunās par iespējamu starpvaldību līguma noslēgšanu Japānas puse ir norādījusi, ka Latvijas ceļu satiksmes drošības rādītāji Japānas ekspertu ieskatā pašlaik nav pietiekami, lai noslēgtu šādu vienošanos. Līdz ar to starpvaldību līguma noslēgšanas iespējas ir cieši saistītas ar Latvijas ceļu satiksmes drošības rādītāju turpmāku uzlabošanu. Papildus Satiksmes ministrija informē, ka sarunas ar Japānu par starpvaldību līguma noslēgšanu regulāri tiek aktualizētas, kā arī Japānas eksperti tiek informēti par Latvijas ceļu satiksmes drošības rādītājiem un to izmaiņām. Valsts sekretārs Andulis Židkovs Ozoliņa, t. 67028334 [email protected] DOKUMENTS IR PARAKSTĪTS AR DROŠU ELEKTRONISKO PARAKSTU UN SATUR LAIKA ZĪMOGU Riga 21.08.2026 No. 04-02/2531 Ref. 05.08.2026 No. ND/44/2026/2070 TO ALĪNA ANDRUŠAITE For information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs State Joint Stock Company “Road Traffic Safety Directorate” Regarding Latvia’s potential accession to the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic The Ministry of Transport has reviewed your application of July 29, 2026, forwarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding Latvia’s potential accession to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of September 19, 1949, and provides the following response. Japan is a contracting party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of September 19, 1949 (hereinafter – the Geneva Convention), whereas Latvia is a contracting party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of November 8, 1968 (hereinafter – the Vienna Convention). In accordance with the requirements of the Vienna Convention, the State Joint Stock Company “Road Traffic Safety Directorate” issues International Driving Permits following the model specified in that convention. The Geneva Convention is an active international legal instrument, but as it was adopted in 1949, its framework is not fully adapted to modern road traffic and vehicle technical development requirements. Work on a comprehensive update and adaptation of the convention to modern conditions is not currently underway. The International Driving Permit format specified in the Geneva Convention differs from the format provided under the Vienna Convention. Therefore, if Latvia were to accede, it would have to ensure the issuance of a second type of International Driving Permit. At the same time, it must be noted that joining the Geneva Convention would create obligations for Latvia not only regarding the issuance of International Driving Permits, but also concerning compliance with other requirements of the convention. Several of these differ from the legal frameworks currently applied in Latvia and the European Union, for example: Vehicles participating in international traffic must display a separate national distinguishing sign—an oval containing the country code abbreviation—in addition to the registration plate; The maximum speed limit specified for mopeds is 50 km/h, whereas under modern regulations, it is 45 km/h; The maximum allowable vehicle dimensions, weight, and axle load values specified in the convention are generally lower than those currently permitted; The categorization of driving licenses in the convention does not align with modern regulations, as it does not provide for categories such as AM, A1, A2, and C1, among others. The Ministry of Transport informs that in accordance with Section 47 of the Road Traffic Law, driving licenses issued in Japan can already be used to drive vehicles in Latvia under specific circumstances. However, this Latvian legal provision does not inherently obligate Japan to recognize driving licenses issued in Latvia. As an alternative solution for the recognition of Latvian driving licenses in Japan, the possibility of concluding an intergovernmental agreement between Latvia and Japan on mutual recognition of driving licenses has been evaluated. The question of Latvia joining the Geneva Convention has also been previously assessed to enable holders of Latvian driving licenses to drive vehicles and use car rental services in Japan. In previous discussions regarding a potential intergovernmental agreement, the Japanese side indicated that, in the view of Japanese experts, Latvia’s road safety indicators are currently insufficient to conclude such an agreement. Consequently, the possibility of concluding an intergovernmental agreement is closely linked to the further improvement of Latvia’s road safety performance. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport informs that negotiations with Japan regarding an intergovernmental agreement are regularly revisited, and Japanese experts are kept updated on Latvia’s road safety metrics and their changes. State Secretary Andulis Židkovs Ozoliņa, ph. +371 67028334 [email protected] THIS DOCUMENT IS SIGNED WITH A SECURE ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE AND CONTAINS A TIMESTAMP Saatja: "Estonian Embassy in Riga" <[email protected]> Saaja: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Teema: FW: Inquiry regarding Estonia’s accession to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Kuupäev: 2026-08-26 12:05 Good afternoon Please, find attached the inquiry from Ms Alīna Andrušaite regarding Estonia’s accession to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, mainly, did Estonia encounter specific legal and technical discrepancies, mentioned by the Latvian Ministry of Transport (SM), during its accession process and how were they navigated or resolved in practice alongside EU law: 1. Administrative Burden: Issuing a second, distinct model of International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the 1968 Vienna model. 2. Distinguishing Country Sign: The requirement for vehicles in international traffic to display a separate oval country sticker (e.g., "EST" or "LV") on the rear in addition to standard EU license plates. 3. Moped Speed Limits: The 1949 Convention sets maximum moped speed limits at 50 km/h, whereas modern EU regulations cap them at 45 km/h. 4. Dimensions & Axle Loads: The maximum allowable vehicle dimensions, weights, and axle loads in the 1949 text are lower than modern EU standards. 5. Outdated Categories: The 1949 classification scheme lacks modern EU driving license categories such as AM, A1, A2, and C1. Kind regards Kristīne Biezā Embassy of the Republic of Estonia secretary +371 67812020 riga.mfa.ee | Pils 8/10, Riga, LV-1050, LATVIA Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/estemb.riga/> X<https://twitter.com/EstoniaInLV> LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/estonian-embassy-in-riga/posts/?feedView=all> *** ATTENTION *** This e-mail and its attachments may contain official information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately, delete this e-mail and destroy any copies. Any dissemination or use of this information by a person other than the intended recipient is unauthorized and may be unlawful. From: Alīna Andrušaite <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2026 12:57 PM To: Estonian Embassy in Riga <[email protected]> Subject: Inquiry regarding Estonia’s accession to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic Dear Ambassador / Diplomatic Team, Firstly, I wanted to thank you for the invitation to your embassy event that took place this past winter during BaltTour that I had the privilege of attending! Today, I am writing to you as a Latvian travel journalist and author regarding an issue that significantly impacts Baltic travelers in Japan: international driver's license recognition. I have already reached out separately to the Embassy of Japan to discuss bilateral recognition possibilities. However, I am contacting the Estonian Embassy directly because our neighboring Baltic states hold the practical experience to resolving this issue. While Latvia remains bound solely to the 1968 Vienna Convention, Estonia successfully acceded to the 1949 Geneva Convention, granting Estonian citizens seamless car rental access in Japan. When I raised the issue of joining the 1949 Convention with the Latvian Ministry of Transport (SM), they responded that accession is currently deemed unfeasible. In their official reply (please see attached the original in Latvian and automatically translated version in English for your convinience), SM cited several specific administrative and legal barriers: 1. Administrative Burden: Issuing a second, distinct model of International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the 1968 Vienna model. 2. Distinguishing Country Sign: The requirement for vehicles in international traffic to display a separate oval country sticker (e.g., "EST" or "LV") on the rear in addition to standard EU license plates. 3. Moped Speed Limits: The 1949 Convention sets maximum moped speed limits at 50 km/h, whereas modern EU regulations cap them at 45 km/h. 4. Dimensions & Axle Loads: The maximum allowable vehicle dimensions, weights, and axle loads in the 1949 text are lower than modern EU standards. 5. Outdated Categories: The 1949 classification scheme lacks modern EU driving license categories such as AM, A1, A2, and C1. Given that Estonia operates under the exact same EU legal and regulatory framework as Latvia, I would be deeply grateful if you could assist with the following: * Did Estonia encounter these specific legal and technical discrepancies during its accession process, and how were they navigated or resolved in practice alongside EU law? * Would you be open to forwarding this inquiry to the relevant experts at the Estonian Transport Administration (Transpordiamet) or Ministry of Climate who handled the accession, so I can share their insights and practical solutions directly with SM? While I fully understand this is not a matter for you to solve, any support in getting to the right contact person would be appreciated, as Estonia remains an example of how this can be done. Having Estonia's direct experience on how these specific legal hurdles were addressed will allow me to present clear, factual answers back to the Latvian Ministry of Transport. Thank you very much for your time and assistance. Warm regards, Alīna Andrušaite Travel writer & author | sapnumedniece.lv<http://sapnumedniece.lv>