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Avis · Latvia

Does Avis require an IDP in Latvia?

Daniel MercerWritten by Daniel MercerUpdated July 2026
Yes, bring one
Many rental companies and local authorities in Latvia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter.
Avis in Latvia
Avis IDP policyBring an IDP (foreign drivers)
Avis footprintGlobal
Accepted format1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna
Minimum rental age18+ (surcharge under 25)
Drives on theRight

Avis in Latvia: the policy in plain terms

Asks for a licence translation where the national licence is not in the Roman alphabet or where local rules call for one. Long-established global brand operating in 165+ countries.

Latvia drives on the right with year-round daytime headlights; non-EU visitors should carry an IDP with their national licence.

In Latvia specifically, many rental companies and local authorities in Latvia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter. Riga desks request an IDP for non-EU licences.

Avis runs a global network; at its Latvia desks, foreign renters are asked for an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format alongside the original licence. Latvia drives on the right, uses the EUR, and sets a minimum driving age of 18, so an IDP is the document that removes any doubt at the counter.

What to bring to the Avis counter in Latvia

  • Your original national driving licence (the IDP never replaces it).
  • Your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format.
  • Your passport and a payment card in the main driver's name.
  • Local payment for the EUR deposit; Latvia drives on the right with a young-driver surcharge under 25.

Driving rules in Latvia Avis renters should know

  • Headlights on at all times.
  • Winter tyres mandatory Dec–Feb.
  • 0.05% alcohol limit; 0.02% for new drivers.
  • Reflective vest and triangle required.

Avis's rental terms that affect your IDP booking

Minimum age & young-driver surcharge

Avis's standard minimum rental age is 25, though it rents to drivers as young as 21 in most US states/provinces (some locations require 25 by local law); renters aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly $25 per day in the US (about $35/day in Canada).

Deposit & accepted cards

Avis requires an Avis-honored credit or charge card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) and places an authorization hold covering the estimated charges plus a security amount; Visa/Mastercard debit cards are accepted at most US locations but are subject to stricter checks, and the card must be in the renter's name.

Additional drivers

Additional drivers must be at least 25 (or meet the underage rules) with a valid licence and typically cost about $13 per day, capped near $65 per rental; in California the fee is waived for a spouse, parent, sibling or child of the renter. Avis requires a valid driver's licence held for the entire rental period that is not suspended, expired, revoked, cancelled or surrendered; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the US, though some international locations require the licence to have been held for 1-2 years.

Cross-border & one-way

Avis generally permits US-to-Canada travel if the renting location is notified in advance, but driving into Mexico is restricted (typically corporate accounts only, no one-way, and Mexican insurance purchased through Avis from border states); one-way rentals are offered with a drop-off charge that may apply on certain rates.

IDP & foreign-licence rule

Avis states that "International Driver's Permits are valid only if presented with the original local license. An International Driver's Permit is not acceptable by itself." Foreign licences are accepted if the issuing country participated in the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or has a reciprocal agreement with the US; non-Roman-alphabet licences effectively require an IDP, and renters with a foreign licence may need to present a passport.

Once you collect the keys in Latvia

Tolls & road charges

Latvia has no toll motorways or general car vignette - passenger cars under 3.5t drive the road network free of charge; only heavy goods vehicles pay an electronic vignette (Eurovignette/Latvijas system).

Parking in town

Riga uses six paid zones with meters and the Mobilly app, the central zones being most expensive and time-limited; pay-and-display is strictly enforced and illegally parked cars in the centre can be clamped or towed.

Fines & camera enforcement

Fines are issued as administrative reports - police cannot collect cash on the spot, you have 30 days to pay; speeding starts around EUR 20, no-seatbelt around EUR 30, and handheld phone use is prohibited. Rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with an admin fee.

If you have an accident

Call 112 for injuries; for damage-only collisions where parties agree you can complete the European Accident Statement without police, but you must notify the rental company and obtain a report, and you must not move vehicles before documenting if there is injury or dispute.

Full driving guide for Latvia

Common questions

01
Do I need an IDP to rent from Avis in Latvia?
Many rental companies and local authorities in Latvia ask foreign drivers to present a translation of their licence alongside the original, so Avis will typically ask for it at the counter. Avis states that "International Driver's Permits are valid only if presented with the original local license. An International Driver's Permit is not acceptable by itself." Foreign licences are accepted if the issuing country participated in the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic or has a reciprocal agreement with the US; non-Roman-alphabet licences effectively require an IDP, and renters with a foreign licence may need to present a passport.
02
What documents should I bring to the Avis desk in Latvia?
Bring your original national driving licence, your International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Convention format, your passport, and the payment card in the main driver's name. Latvia drives on the right and the minimum rental age is typically 18+.
03
What is the minimum age to rent from Avis in Latvia?
Avis's standard minimum rental age is 25, though it rents to drivers as young as 21 in most US states/provinces (some locations require 25 by local law); renters aged 21-24 pay a young-driver surcharge of roughly $25 per day in the US (about $35/day in Canada). Locally, Latvia sets a minimum driving age of 18 and most desks add a young-driver surcharge under 25.
04
What deposit and card does Avis require?
Avis requires an Avis-honored credit or charge card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.) and places an authorization hold covering the estimated charges plus a security amount; Visa/Mastercard debit cards are accepted at most US locations but are subject to stricter checks, and the card must be in the renter's name.
05
Can I take a Avis rental across the border or drop it one-way?
Avis generally permits US-to-Canada travel if the renting location is notified in advance, but driving into Mexico is restricted (typically corporate accounts only, no one-way, and Mexican insurance purchased through Avis from border states); one-way rentals are offered with a drop-off charge that may apply on certain rates.
06
Does Avis charge for an additional driver?
Additional drivers must be at least 25 (or meet the underage rules) with a valid licence and typically cost about $13 per day, capped near $65 per rental; in California the fee is waived for a spouse, parent, sibling or child of the renter. Avis requires a valid driver's licence held for the entire rental period that is not suspended, expired, revoked, cancelled or surrendered; it does not publish a fixed minimum holding period in the US, though some international locations require the licence to have been held for 1-2 years.
07
How do tolls work for a rental car in Latvia?
Latvia has no toll motorways or general car vignette - passenger cars under 3.5t drive the road network free of charge; only heavy goods vehicles pay an electronic vignette (Eurovignette/Latvijas system).
08
What happens if I get a traffic fine driving a Avis car in Latvia?
Fines are issued as administrative reports - police cannot collect cash on the spot, you have 30 days to pay; speeding starts around EUR 20, no-seatbelt around EUR 30, and handheld phone use is prohibited. Rental firms pass camera fines to the renter with an admin fee.
09
What is Avis's general policy on International Driving Permits?
Asks for a licence translation where the national licence is not in the Roman alphabet or where local rules call for one. Avis is one of the largest global rental brands with about 5,500+ locations across roughly 165 countries and a strong airport presence, anchored by its Avis Preferred loyalty program.
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