Starting with the 1st of January 2025, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) will be charging more for services, including car inspection, driving lessons, registration plates and other services, as confirmed by CSDD board chairman Aivars Aksenoks at a press-conference on Monday, the 28th of October.
The inspection price for M1 category vehicles is planned to be increased by 8% or EUR 2.51 – from EUR 31.59 to EUR 34.1
Aksenoks added that the price of the vehicle’s technical inspection includes the price of the inspection sticker.
He also said the price of inspection will go up for buses and cargo vehicles, which is related to the implementation of the requirements of the European Union (EU) directive in technical testing stations, as well as the technical inspection of these vehicles generally takes longer.
The price of the technical inspection service of category N3 or a truck with a maximum weight of more than 12 tons is planned to increase by 40% – from EUR 51.58 to EUR 72.18, but the price of the M3 category car or buses with a maximum weight of more than five tons is planned to increase by 36% – from EUR 52.38 to EUR 71.18.
The CSDD also plans to increase prices for services that are more time-consuming and complex and require highly qualified specialists.
For example, driving tests for category A and B vehicles will increase by 20% – from EUR 29.85 to EUR 35.82. In turn, the determination of vehicle technical data and comparison of implement numbers will increase by 33% – from EUR 14.42 to EUR 19.25. Aksenoks said the price of this service needs to be increased because there is a shortage of inspectors with appropriate knowledge to observe examinees. “The wages of these people have to be increased. We also have to look for ways to attract new inspectors,” he said.
In turn, the determination of vehicle technical data and comparison of numbers will increase by 33% – from EUR 14.42 to EUR 19.25.
At the same time, the price will increase 2.4 times for choice numbers with a combination of one or the same numeric symbols. Currently, the fee for this service is EUR 413.22, but from the 1st of January it will be EUR 983.47.
It is also planned to increase the cost of the service of in-person registration of electric scooters and the determination of their individual technical parameters. The price of this service is planned to be increased by 70% – from EUR 6.1 to EUR 10.37.
Aksenoks explained that due to this service, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate has worked with quite large losses this spring, as the Road Traffic Directorate did not expect such a large number of electric scooters – more than 20 000 electric scooters were registered. “Many of these electric scooters did not meet the statutory parameters, so these electric scooters had to be inspected in person. As a result, demand is higher than expected,” he said.
Aksenoks explained at the press-conference that the CSDD finances its activities only from the revenues it derives from services. “Our expenses are related to various costs that other service providers have to pay. These are not just utilities, but different expenses. During the year, the CSDD conducts about 80 public procurement, which must be carried out in order to ensure the functioning of the directorate,” he mentioned.
Also, Aksenoks recalled that in 2022, the CSDD sold shares in technical inspection companies at a public auction, and this service is now purchased by the directorate in public procurement as an outsourcing service. Last year, contracts were concluded for technical control at 33 technical inspection stations. “The number of existing stations is planned to be increased by four stations – two in Riga, as well as one in Smiltene and Livani. The station in Smiltene is planned to open this autumn,” Aksenoks added.
Aksenoks explained at a press conference that the CSDD finances its activities only from the revenues it derives from services. “Our expenses are related to various costs that other service providers have to pay. These are not just utilities, but different expenses. During the year, the CSDD conducts about 80 public procurement, which must be carried out in order to ensure the functioning of the directorate,” he mentioned.
The changes in the prices planned by the CSDD will be submitted for public discussion, but after that they will have to be approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.