Code 95 is the EU Driver CPC, which is mandatory for commercial drivers. It is recorded on the licence or driver card and kept up to date through periodic training.

Do I need to exchange my licence?

Most non-EU drivers must exchange their licence for a Latvian or EU licence for long-term work, which can involve a medical check and a test.

What licence do I need?

Category C for rigid trucks and C+E for articulated combinations, alongside Code 95 and the tachograph driver card.

Does Latvia have a separate work permit?

No. Latvia has no standalone work-permit card; the right to work is endorsed on your Type D visa or temporary residence permit, which OCMA manages.

Does Latvia apply a labour market test?

Yes. The employer normally registers the vacancy with the State Employment Agency (NVA) to show no suitable local or EU candidate is available. However, for in-demand driving roles, this is usually a formality.

Who handles residence permits in Latvia?

The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA / PMLP). The State Employment Agency (NVA) handles the vacancy registration.

Do EU drivers need a permit in Latvia?

No. EU, EEA, and Swiss drivers do not need a permit; they only register their residence if they stay for more than 3 months.

Is a job offer required?

Yes. A signed contract with a registered Latvian employer who sponsors you is the foundation of the application.

Can I bring my family?

Generally yes, through family reunification once you hold a residence permit, subject to accommodation, means and insurance conditions.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is general information. Rules and thresholds can change, so confirm the current position with OCMA or a qualified adviser before relying on it.

Where can I check official requirements?

Through OCMA (PMLP), the State Employment Agency (NVA), and the Latvian embassy in your country; the European Commission immigration portal also covers Latvia.

Is professional driving in demand in Latvia?

Yes, Latvia is a transport hub with a real driver shortage, which supports sponsorship and clears the labour market test for driving roles.

What Are Your Options After Losing an EU Driving Licence in Latvia

Latvia runs a combined right-to-employment and residence framework for non-EU nationals, managed by the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA, in Latvian Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde, PMLP) under the Immigration Law. There is no separate work permit card — the right to work is endorsed on your long-stay visa or temporary residence permit. The employer drives the process, and professional driving is in high demand across Latvia’s large transport and logistics sector.

Licence, Code 95 and the Driver Card

To drive professionally in Latvia, you need a Category C licence for rigid trucks or a C+E licence for articulated combinations, the Code 95 professional qualification, and the digital tachograph driver card. EU and EEA licences are recognised; a non-EU licence usually must be exchanged for a Latvian or EU licence for long-term work, which can involve a medical check and, depending on your country, a test.

How Code 95 Works in Latvia

Code 95 is the EU Driver CPC and is mandatory for commercial driving. If your licence does not already carry it, accredited Latvian driving schools offer the training, and many employers help cover the cost. Once held, it is recorded on the licence or driver card and kept current through periodic refresher training, and is valid across the EU.

How It Works in Latvia

In practice, the employer registers the vacancy with the NVA and submits a sponsorship request to OCMA; once approved, you apply for a Type D long-stay visa at the Latvian embassy, enter Latvia, apply for the temporary residence permit at OCMA, and register your address with the local municipality. Documents issued abroad usually need certified Latvian translations and, often, an apostille.

Before hiring a non-EU worker, a Latvian employer normally registers the vacancy with the State Employment Agency (NVA) to show that no suitable local or EU candidate is available. For in-demand roles such as professional driving,g this step is usually a formality, but it is part of the process and should be planned for.

Key Facts

Latvia has no separate work permit card; the right to work is included in the visa or residence permit.
OCMA (PMLP) handles residence permits and employment rights.
Employers register the vacancy with the State Employment Agency (NVA).
Drivers need a Category C or C+E licence, Code 95 and a driver card.
A Type D long-stay visa precedes the temporary residence permit.

What This Means for Drivers

For drivers, three credentials sit alongside the residence permit: a valid Category C or C+E licence (a non-EU licence usually must be exchanged for a Latvian or EU licence for long-term work), the professional driver qualification Code 95 (the EU Driver CPC), and the digital tachograph driver card. A medical examination is also required.

Recent Changes

Latvia has tightened parts of its immigration framework, with closer checks on employer financial stability, clearer salary-compliance rules tied to sector wages, and a Latvian-language requirement at the permanent-residence stage. For qualified drivers with a compliant employer, the route remains open and in active use.

Foreign drivers seeking truck driver jobs in Latvia with visa sponsorship typically need a C+E licence, Code 95 (Driver CPC), and a tachograph driver card, with licence exchange through the CSDD where required.

Conclusion

Latvia offers qualified non-EU drivers a clear route built on a sponsoring employer, a recognised licence and Code 95, and a complete, translated application. Fastdriver.eu helps foreign drivers and employers navigate Latvia’s current work and residence rules and connects qualified drivers with European employers. This is general information and not legal advice; confirm the current position and any thresholds with official sources before relying on it.