Road signs in Latvia

Road signs in Balvi

Road signs in Latvia conform to the general pattern of those used in most other European countries. They are regulated in Ceļu satiksmes noteikumi (Road Traffic Regulations) and the standards documents LVS 77–1:2016 "Ceļa zīmes. 1. daļa: Ceļa zīmes" (road signs), LVS 77-2:2016 "Ceļa zīmes. 2. daļa: Uzstādīšanas noteikumi" (installion regulations) and LVS 77-3:2016 "Ceļa zīmes. 3. daļa: Tehniskās prasības" (technical requirements), in conformity with the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, to which Latvia acceded on October 19, 1992.

During the 1920s and 1930s, Latvia had developed various road signs but after Latvia was occupied and later annexed by the Soviet Union during the World War II, it used the Soviet road sign standard before adopting its own. In 1980, the standard for road signs GOST 10807-78 (ГОСТ 10807-78) was adopted in the Soviet Union before its dissolution in 1991. After the restoration of the independence of Latvia in 1990, it became necessary to create its own standard for road signs in Latvia. Unlike most post-Soviet states, modern road signs in Latvia look different from those used in neighbouring Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania. Latvian road signs use the DIN 1451 typeface.

The text used on signs is in the state language, Latvian. Recently, some signs have been introduced with Latvian supplemented by Livonian and Latgalian. In November 2021, the first standard-compliant road sign with Latgalian was placed on the border of Balvi Municipality, with others being gradually installed in other locations in Latgale. In January 2023, the first of 171 approved signs with Livonian text were placed on the border of Talsi Municipality, with others expected to be placed in villages along the Livonian Coast.

Warning signs

• 
  Crossroads without priority (give way to the vehicles coming from the right)
• 
  Roundabout ahead
• 
  Dangerous curve to the right
• 
  Dangerous curve to the left
• 
  Double curve, first to the right
• 
  Double curve, first to the left
• 
  Road narrows on both sides
• 
  Road narrows on right side
• 
  Road narrows on left side
• 
  Steep descent
• 
  Steep ascent
• 
  Uneven road
• 
  Speed bumps
• 
  Changing the road surface
• 
  Slippery road
• 
  Loose chippings
• 
  Falling stones
• 
  Roadworks ahead
• 
  Dangerous shoulder
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Children
• 
  Two-way traffic
• 
  Traffic signals ahead
• 
  Animals e.g for cattle
• 
  Animals e.g for deer
• 
  Swing bridge
• 
  Unproteceted quayside or riverbank ahead
• 
  Sidewinds
• 
  Low-flying aircraft
• 
  Cyclists
• 
  Tram Crossing
• 
  Level crossing ahead, with gates
• 
  Level crossing ahead, without gates
• 
  Level crossing (single track)
• 
  Level crossing (multiple tracks)
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Level crossing countdown
• 
  Dangerous road section
• 
  Traffic jams

Priority signs

• 
  Priority road
• 
  End of priority road
• 
  Junction with minor road
• 
  Junction with minor road (from the right)
• 
  Junction with minor road (from the left)
• 
  Give way
• 
  Stop
• 
  Give priority to oncoming traffic
• 
  Priority over oncoming traffic

Prohibitory signs

• 
  No entry
• 
  Closed to all vehicles in both directions
• 
  No motor vehicles except motorcycles
• 
  No motorcycles
• 
  No bicycles
• 
  No trucks
• 
  No trailers
• 
  No tractors
• 
  No pedestrians
• 
  Width limit
• 
  Height limit
• 
  Mass limit
• 
  Mass limit per axle
• 
  Length limit
• 
  No right turn
• 
  No left turn
• 
  No U-turn
• 
  Minimum separation
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  End of overtaking prohibition
• 
  No overtaking by trucks
• 
  End of overtaking prohibition by trucks
• 
  Maximum speed limit
• 
  End of maximum speed limit
• 
  No audible warning devices
• 
  No stopping or standing
• 
  No parking or waiting
• 
  No parking on odd dates
• 
  No parking on even dates
• 
  End of all prohibitions
• 
  Customs
• 
  Police
• 
  Driving further is dangerous
• 
  No vehicles carrying dangerous goods

Mandatory signs

• 
  Ahead only
• 
  Turn right
• 
  Turn left
• 
  Straight ahead or right turn permitted
• 
  Straight ahead or left turn permitted
• 
  Turn left or right
• 
  Turn right before sign
• 
  Turn left before sign
• 
  Roundabout
• 
  Pass side from right
• 
  Pass side from left
• 
  Pass either side
• 
  Cycle path
• 
  End of cycle path
• 
  Pedestrian path
• 
  End of pedestrian path
• 
  Cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  End of cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  Segregated cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  End of segregated cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  Cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  End of segregated cycle and pedestrian path
• 
  Minimum speed
• 
  End of minimum speed
• 
  Proceed straight for vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• 
  Proceed right for vehicles carrying dangerous goods
• 
  Proceed left for vehicles carrying dangerous goods

Special regulation signs

• 
  One-way street
• 
  End of one-way street
• 
  One-way street to the right
• 
  One-way street to the left
• 
  Bus lane
• 
  End of bus lane
• 
  A road with a contraflow bus lane
• 
  End of the road with a contraflow bus lane
• 
  Exit to the road with a contraflow bus lane to the left
• 
  Exit to the road with a contraflow bus lane to the right
• 
  Minimum driving speed limit in lanes
• 
  Maximum driving speed limit in lanes
• 
  Driving directions in lanes
• 
  Driving direction in the lane (proceed straight)
• 
  Driving direction in the lane (turn right)
• 
  Driving direction in the lane (turn left)
• 
  Driving direction in the lane (proceed straight or turn right)
• 
  Driving direction in the lane (proceed straight or keep left)
• 
  Settlement
• 
  End of settlement
• 
  Settlement
• 
  End of settlement
• 
  No parking area
• 
  Customs area
• 
  End of no parking area
• 
  End of customs area
• 
  Speed limit zone
• 
  End of speed limit zone
• 
  Pedestrian zone
• 
  End of pedestrian zone
• 
  Parking zone
• 
  End of parking zone
• 
  Recommended speed zone
• 
  End of recommended speed zone
• 
  Home zone
• 
  End of home zone
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  Parking
• 
  End of Parking
• 
  Paid parking
• 
  End of paid parking
• 
  Bus stop
• 
  Tram stop
• 
  Taxi stop
• 
  Tunnel
• 
  Tunnel stop
• 
  Stop line
• 
  Border area
• 
  End of border area
• 
  Borderland
• 
  End of borderland
• 
  Border control point
• 
  Road for motor vehicles
• 
  End of road for motor vehicles
• 
  Forced stop
• 
  Locality
• 
  End of locality

Service signs

• 
  Medical aid point
• 
  Hospital
• 
  Gas station
• 
  Park and Ride facilities
• 
  Maintenance point
• 
  Car wash
• 
  Telephone
• 
  Restaurant
• 
  Cafe
• 
  Hotel, motel or guest house
• 
  Youth tourism center
• 
  Camping
• 
  Caravan parking
• 
  Camping and caravan parking
• 
  Resting place
• 
  Pedestrian route
• 
  Toilet
• 
  Swimming pool
• 
  Tourist information
• 
  Police
• 
  Traffic police
• 
  Mail
• 
  Radio channel for providing road traffic information
• 
  Airport (airfield)
• 
  Bus station
• 
  Railway station
• 
  Sea passenger station
• 
  Ferry
• 
  Cargo port
• 
  Information block
• 
  A remarkable place
• 
  Fire extinguisher
• 
  Emergency phone
• 
  Rural tourism seat

Direction signs

• 
  Preliminary direction indicator
• 
  Preliminary direction indicator
• 
  Preliminary direction indicator
• 
  Preliminary direction indicator
• 
  Preliminary direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Direction indicator
• 
  Distance indicator
• 
  Distance indicator
• 
  River name
• 
  Driving scheme
• 
  Obstacle bypass direction
• 
  Dead end
• 
  Dead end on the right
• 
  Dead end on the left
• 
  Start of lane on the right
• 
  Start of lane on the left
• 
  End of lane on the right
• 
  End of land on the left
• 
  Driving directions in lanes (no trucks allowed in one lane)
• 
  Driving directions in lanes
• 
  Driving directions in lanes
• 
  Lane adherence to base lanes
• 
  Lane adherence to base lanes
• 
  U-turn permitted
• 
  Traffic restrictions in Latvia
• 
  Recommended speed
• 
  Driving direction of trucks (proceed straight)
• 
  Driving direction of trucks (turn right)
• 
  Driving direction of trucks (turn left)
• 
  Pedestrian underpass or overpass
• 
  Scheme of bypass road
• 
  Direction of bypass road (proceed straight)
• 
  Direction of bypass road (turn right)
• 
  Direction of bypass road (turn left)
• 
  End of detour
• 
  Pointer to reorder
• 
  Pointer to reorder
• 
  Pointer to reorder
• 
  Pointer to reorder
• 
  Pointer to reorder
• 
  Kilometer indicator
• 
  European route number
• 
  Motorway number
• 
  Regional road number
• 
  European route number and direction
• 
  Motorway number and direction
• 
  Regional road number and direction
• 
  Road with reverse traffic
• 
  End of road with reverse traffic
• 
  Departure on a road with reverse traffic
• 
  EU country border
• 
  Name of the administrative territory
• 
  Tourist sign
• 
  Emergency exit
• 
  Emergency exit direction

Additional signs

• 
  Distance
• 
  Stop ahead
• 
  Length
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Coverage area
• 
  Directions of action
• 
  Directions of action
• 
  Directions of action
• 
  Driving lane
• 
  Type of vehicle (truck)
• 
  Type of vehicle (truck with lane)
• 
  Type of vehicle (car)
• 
  Type of vehicle (bus)
• 
  Type of vehicle (tractor)
• 
  Type of vehicle (motorcycle)
• 
  Type of vehicle (bike)
• 
  Working days
• 
  Weekends and holidays
• 
  Validity period
• 
  Validity period in working days
• 
  Validity period in weekends and holidays
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Type of vehicle parking
• 
  Parking time
• 
  Automobile viewing area
• 
  Limitation of the permitted maximum mass
• 
  Blind pedestrians
• 
  Disabled people
• 
  Wet cover
• 
  Slippery cover
• 
  Direction of the main road
• 
  A tow truck is working
• 
  Other additional information
• 
  Speed bump
• 
  Paid parking time
• 
  Turn off the engine
• 
  Photo radar
• 
  Information about the bicycle path
• 
  Information about the bicycle path
• 
  Information about the bicycle path
• 
  Bicycle route
• 
  EuroVelo cycle route
• 
  Supply of goods
• 
  Electric cars

See also

• Comparison of European road signs
• Comparison of traffic signs in post-Soviet states