Is an expired driving licence just a formality?
It is not — and delay can cost far more than the fee itself. A category B licence is normally valid for 10 years; licences carrying professional categories (C, D) are valid for only 5 years. Renewal at CSDD costs €22.41. But watch the deadline: if the licence expired more than three years ago, you may have to re-sit the exams to have it renewed — and then the cost is no longer 22 euros. And do not confuse two different deadlines: the validity of the licence and the medical check interval are not the same thing. For category B the medical check is normally required every 10 years, but from the age of 60 — every 3 years, even while the licence still runs.
📋 The rules
- Category B is valid 10 years
- With C or D categories — 5 years
- Renewal at CSDD: €22.41
- Medical check for B: every 10 years
- From age 60 — every 3 years
🔓 Exceptions
- If it expired more than three years ago, exams may be required
- Licence validity and the medical check interval are two separate deadlines
- Exchanging a licence issued abroad follows its own separate procedure
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Driving on an expired licence is not “a slightly late document”. It is driving without valid rights, with all that follows — including on the insurance side, because after an accident the insurer can turn against you. But the real trap is the three-year mark: if the licence has been sitting in a drawer for more than three years past its expiry, you may have to sit the exams again — theory and driving. At that point a €22.41 fee turns into the price of a driving school. And the medical check is a separate duty: from the age of 60 it must be repeated every three years. Check both dates, not just one.
📎 Official sources
- CSDD · Licence renewal and fees →
- likumi.lv · Road Traffic Law →
- LV portāls · Renewing a driving licence →
❓ Frequently asked
How long is a licence valid?
A category B licence is normally valid for 10 years. Licences that also carry professional categories such as C or D are valid for a shorter period — five years, because they require medical checks more often.
How much does renewal cost?
The CSDD service fee for issuing or renewing a driving licence is 22.41 euros. On top of that you should budget for the medical examination, where one is required on that occasion.
What if I am several years late?
If the licence expired more than three years ago, renewal may require re-sitting the exams — both the theory test and the driving test. The cost then far exceeds the ordinary renewal fee.
Is the medical check the same deadline?
No. Licence validity and the medical check are two separate deadlines. For category B the check is normally required every 10 years, but every 3 years from the age of 60.
Can I drive on an expired licence?
You cannot. That counts as driving without valid rights, with all the consequences, including for insurance, because after an accident the insurer can turn against you personally.
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