Guide · Latvia
Driving a UK-registered car in Latvia: how long you can keep UK plates, what registering it costs, and what to do instead
Coming home to Latvia with a UK car became a lot more expensive after Brexit. This guide covers how long you can stay on UK plates, what registering with CSDD involves, what it costs, and the alternative.
Last reviewed September 2026
How long can I keep it on UK plates?
Non-residents can drive a foreign-registered car while its home registration, inspection and insurance are valid. A Latvian resident is expected to register the car in Latvia; the UK registration also cannot be maintained from abroad, because the V5C needs a UK address and the MOT and UK insurance will lapse.
Can a right-hand-drive car be registered?
Right-hand-drive cars can be registered in Latvia. The technical inspection will require headlamps adjusted for driving on the right and suitable mirrors, and Latvian buyers discount right-hand drive heavily.
What registering it involves
- Customs clearance as a non-EU import (via a customs broker), paying duty and VAT.
- Technical inspection (tehniskā apskate) at an accredited station.
- Registration with CSDD: Latvian plates and registration certificate.
- Compulsory OCTA insurance.
What it costs
- Customs duty: 10% of the customs value unless UK origin is documented.
- VAT: 21% on the value plus duty.
- Inspection, translations, plates and CSDD fees, plus the annual vehicle operation tax once registered.
Moving home? Transfer-of-residence relief
If you lived in the UK for at least 12 months and owned and used the car for at least 6 months, you can usually import it free of customs duty and VAT as personal property when you move your residence to Latvia. Proof of UK residence is required, inspection and registration still cost money, and the car cannot be sold for 12 months.
The alternative: sell it back to the UK
Selling back to the UK trade sidesteps all of it. We buy UK-registered cars in Latvia as they stand, collect free from any address, complete the export paperwork, and pay in pounds sterling on the day — into your UK account if you still have one.
Get a free valuation for your car in Latvia
Free collection anywhere in Latvia, all export paperwork handled, paid in pounds sterling (£) on the day.
Value my UK carCommon questions
What if the MOT has expired?
It does not matter to us. We buy cars with expired MOT or SORN and move them by transporter.
Do I have to do anything with the DVLA?
No. We take the V5C with the car and notify the DVLA of the change of keeper as part of the export.
How quickly can you collect in Latvia?
Usually within a week of you accepting the offer; the Riga area is on a regular run.
Rules, rates and thresholds change. This guide is a general summary as of September 2026, not legal or tax advice — check the current position with the registration authority or a customs agent before relying on it.
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