In favor of Ukraine: from February 15 in Latvia will confiscate cars with Russian numbers

According to the law, if the vehicle with Russian numbers is not registered in Latvia or does not travel outside Latvia, and also used unauthorized, the authorities have the right to confiscate the car. From Thursday, February 15, 2024, on the territory of Latvia the amendment to the Traffic Act, within which the confiscation of cars with Russian numbers is allowed. About it writes the Latvian edition of Delfi.

According to the Ministry of Justice of Latvia, the presence of vehicles registered in Russia in the territory of Latvia is unacceptable, taking into account the full -scale attack of Russia on Ukraine. As the publication notes to avoid such situations, the owners of machines registered in Russia had to re -register their car in Latvia by February 14 or take it outside the country. Russian machines can be in Latvia if only they cross the country in transit.

"If the vehicle is not registered in Latvia or does not travel beyond Latvia, as well as its unauthorized use in road traffic, the authorities are entitled to confiscation of the car," Delfi is clarified. It is legally envisaged that the confiscated cars will be transferred to Ukraine, and thus will support it in its fight against the aggressor state.

Changes in the legislation are based on the explanation of the European Commission, which states that sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia in 2022 are also extended to personal transport with Russian registration of Russian citizens. Similar rules that prohibit Russian citizens to stay in the EU with their vehicle are approved in other countries. During the transit travel, there is a nuance: a car registered in the Russian Federation can only pass once.

At the same time, before entering the country, to provide the following information online: in addition, for illegal driving by car with Russian numbers, a fine of 750 to 2000 euros is provided. It is allowed to use a car with Russian numbers only when: it is also worth recalling that from September 12 in Latvia already has a ban on the entry of cars with Russian registration numbers. Recall that Latvia already seizes cars in favor of Ukraine. These are machines driven by drunken drivers.