How to Get a Category AM Driving Licence in Latvia?

Latvia lets you start training for AM as early as 12, well before the license itself becomes available at 14, and doesn’t require driving school at all; self-study is explicitly permitted. This piece covers what AM authorizes, the seasonal exam window, and how AM later doubles as your Category B learner permit.

What category does AM cover?

AM authorizes mopeds, two- or three-wheeled vehicles with engine displacement not exceeding 50 cc (or power not exceeding 4 kW) and a design speed between 25 and 45 km/h, as well as four-wheeled vehicles with the same engine specification and an unladen mass not exceeding 350 kg.

Minimum age

You need to be 14 to hold an AM. Genuinely notable: you can obtain a learner driving permit specifically to begin practicing from age 12, well ahead of the license itself.

No driving school required

This is genuinely useful to know. AM doesn’t require enrolment in a driving school; all the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills can be acquired through self-study. That said, most schools recommend structured training anyway, since it’s typically more economical and safer than repeatedly retaking the driving exam.

The theory exam

The theory exam consists of 20 questions, with a pass requiring no more than 2 incorrect answers.

The practical exam

The practical exam assesses your riding skills both in a closed area (figures course) and in real traffic. Notably, practical driving exams are only held seasonally, from 1 April to 1 October, worth factoring into your planning if you’re aiming for AM outside that window.

Medical requirements

You’ll need a medical opinion from both a psychologist and a narcologist confirming your health status is sufficient to ride a moped, a genuinely broader medical check than some countries require for this entry-level Category.

Automatic entitlement from other licenses

If you already hold a license for Category A, B, C1, D1, C or D, you’re automatically permitted to drive AM-category vehicles in Latvia without obtaining AM separately.

AM doubles as your future Category B learner permit

Here’s a genuinely useful knock-on benefit: once you hold an AM, it later serves as your learner’s permit (the equivalent of the “white rights”) when you start Category B practical driving lessons. You won’t need to make a separate trip to CSDD to obtain that permit when the time comes.

Documents you’ll need

• Valid identity documents
• Proof of permanent residence in Latvia
• Psychologist and narcologist medical opinions confirming fitness
• Parental consent, if you’re a minor

What happens after you pass

Once you’ve completed both the theory and practical exams successfully, CSDD issues your AM category driving license, which you can then use immediately to ride mopeds and light quadricycles within the Category's technical limits.

What it costs

Costs depend on whether you self-study or attend a driving school, and how many practical lessons you need. Practical lessons typically cost around €36 per hour (45-minute sessions), with the moped usually provided by the instructor. A medical examination fee applies separately.

Automatic transmission

Mopeds are commonly automatic-transmission by design, so this generally isn’t a separate license restriction issue for AM specifically.

Upgrading to A1, A2 or full Category A

Latvia runs a staged motorcycle licensing system above AM: A1 from 16 (up to 125cc/11kW), A2 from 18 (up to 35kW), and full Category A from 24, with A2 experience required beforehand. Each stage’s theory exam scales up in difficulty. A1’s theory exam, for instance, has 30 questions with a maximum of 3 errors allowed, more demanding than AM’s 20-question, 2-error threshold.

Validity

A license is valid for 10 years and corresponds to the categories A1, A2, A, B, B1, and BE.

Where to apply

Applications and exams are handled through the CSDD (Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcīja, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate) client service centers, which have 10 locations across Latvia offering driver qualification services.

Tips that actually help

• Consider starting your learner permit at 12 if you want maximum practice time before the license becomes available at 14.
• Decide whether self-study or a structured driving school suits you better, since both are genuinely valid routes.
• Plan your practical exam within the 1 April–1 October window, since testing isn’t available outside those months.
• Remember that AM later saves you a step when you pursue Category B, since it also serves as your learner permit.

Where does this fit going forward?

AM in Latvia is genuinely flexible, with an unusually young start age and the option to skip formal driving school entirely. If your plans extend toward professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see who’s hiring among employers on FastDriver.eu, alongside our broader job guides. Our driving license in Latvia and license eligibility pages provide the broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change and may vary by driving school in Latvia. Always confirm current requirements with official Latvian sources before making decisions, such as the CSDD. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.