Exchange of a driver's license for a foreign one: Ukraine and Latvia are working on a mutual recognition agreement
Currently, Ukrainians have the opportunity to exchange a driver's license for a foreign one without passing exams in four countries of the world: Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The main service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is working on expanding the list of states where it is possible to exchange a driver's license under a simplified procedure. The first step in this direction has already been taken. Work is currently underway to conclude an agreement with the Republic of Latvia, which will allow citizens of both countries to exchange driver's licenses without the need to pass exams.
Representatives of the Main Service Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs together with the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs held an online meeting with Lithuanian counterparts from the Department of Public Transport of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia and the Directorate of Road Safety (CSDD). During the meeting, the parties discussed future cooperation.
The main focus was on the procedure for obtaining driver's licenses in both countries, ways of exchanging information about the validity of driver's licenses, as well as conducting further consultations aimed at preparing a draft agreement.
As of today, drivers from Ukraine who live in Latvia for more than a year need to pass theoretical and practical exams in order to obtain a Latvian driver's license. However, these requirements do not apply to those persons who have received temporary protection in Latvia. In the future, they can use the Ukrainian driver's license during the entire period of their stay under protection.
But in the future, the procedure will become much easier. After the conclusion of the agreement, the exchange of a Ukrainian driver's license for a Latvian one will take place without confirming the skills of driving a vehicle. That is, Ukrainians will be exempt from passing theoretical and practical exams. Similar conditions will apply to citizens of Latvia living on the territory of Ukraine.
In May, an agreement was signed with the Republic of Lithuania on mutual recognition of driver's licenses. It will come into force in the near future.
Main service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
