Renting a car in Daugavpils is a practical way to explore southeastern Latvia and the Latgale region, and driving here is easy and well-regulated, EU-style, with a couple of Latvian specifics worth knowing: mandatory winter tyres, and headlights on at all times. Daugavpils is Latvia's second city, home to the vast Daugavpils Fortress and the Mark Rothko Art Centre.
Who can rent, and the licence
Latvia is in the EU, so if you hold an EU licence you do not need an International Driving Permit, and many other licences are accepted for short visits. To rent, you must usually be at least 21, with the requirement sometimes varying by car category, and have held your licence for at least a year. A credit card is normally needed for the deposit. Comparison sites such as DiscoverCars help you check availability and prices in Daugavpils in advance.
Winter tyres and headlights
Two rules matter especially in Latvia. Winter tyres are mandatory on cars from the start of December to the start of March, marked with the M+S symbol or the alpine snowflake and with a minimum tread depth, and studded tyres are permitted over a wider winter window; rental cars are equipped appropriately for the season. Separately, dipped headlights are mandatory at all times, day and night, all year and on all roads. This is one of the most strictly enforced rules, and driving without your lights on is a fineable offence, so switch them on whenever you drive.
Road rules and booking tips
Latvia drives on the right, seat belts are mandatory, and the drink-drive limit is low, with a lower speed cap for drivers who have held a licence for under two years. Main roads are generally in good condition. Read the rental terms for the deposit, fuel policy, insurance, and excess, and confirm the winter-tyre position if you travel in the colder months. Book ahead in busy periods to get the best choice of vehicle for exploring Daugavpils and the surrounding Latgale lakes.