Use of commercial licence plates
Important! Commercial vehicles (also registered in Latvia) can be used in road traffic only with commercial license plates.
Trade number plates are used for the transfer of vehicles intended for sale to a place of sale or storage or for test drives with vehicles accepted for sale (both - vehicles not registered in Latvia and registered).
Certain types of trade number plates may only be used on vehicles of the relevant categories. The type of trade number shall be indicated in the trade number. A distinction is made between the following types of trade numbers:
- A - for mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles;
- B - for passenger cars, as well as for lorries, the gross weight of which does not exceed 3500 kg;
- C - for trucks with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3500 kg;
- D - for buses;
- E - trailers.
When participating in road traffic with trade number plates, a merchant must draw up an invoice for the use of trade numbers in the Trade Register, issued for a period of up to two days and indicating the relevant trade number and the representative of the merchant who has the right to use trade number plates in this document within the time limit specified.
When drawing up the invoice, the data on the vehicle are obtained from the trade register. If the vehicle in question has been brought from a foreign country into the port or customs zone by other means of transport and is moved to a place of sale or storage while participating in road traffic, the invoice shall indicate vehicle make, model and route of vehicle movement (address of the place of receipt and sale or storage of the vehicle).
The invoice must be certified by a signature of a person who has been granted the right to use the Trade Register in the merchant's company, as well as the right to accept a vehicle or numbered unit for sale, issue a title certificate and participate in road traffic with the vehicles intended for sale.
When participating in road traffic, a representative of the merchant must have present:
- a document certifying the technical data of the vehicle registration;
- a document certifying the ownership rights of the vehicle, if the vehicle has not yet been accepted for sale;
- An invoice for the use of trade numbers, drawn up in the Trade Register and certified in accordance with specified procedures.
The use of registration plates in road traffic is permitted after the merchant has concluded the vehicle owner's civil liability compulsory insurance contract for the period of validity of the license plate.
The trade number plates issued to the merchant must be stored at the point of sale when they are not in use.
The merchant has no right to transfer the received trade number plates to other persons.
The merchant must ensure such conditions as to prevent the possibility for unauthorized persons to access the number plates.
Within 5 working days after the expiry of the term of validity of the trade number plates, the merchant transfers the trade number plates to the CSDD. If the trade number plates have not been transferred within the specified term, the CSDD prohibits the merchant from using other trade number plates assigned to it.