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Drone licence in Latvia: how to get your A1/A3 certificate step by step
In short
- To fly a drone with a camera in Latvia you need the A1/A3 certificate, valid in all 31 EASA countries.
- The exam is online and free: 40 questions in 40 minutes, 75% to pass.
- You can also sit it with another EASA authority, for example in Spain, where it is free and online.
- The A2 exam is in person, in Latvian or English, for 15 euros.
- Insurance is mandatory, with minimum cover of 50,000 euros.
To fly a drone in Latvia you almost always need the A1/A3 certificate, issued by the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) after an online exam. This guide covers the steps, the A2 certificate, registration, insurance and where you can fly, plus the option of sitting the exam in another EASA country.
The certificate is European: once you have it, it is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Latvia included.
Who needs a drone licence in Latvia
You need the A1/A3 certificate to fly any drone with a camera, even one under 250 grams. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
The A1/A3 certificate lets you fly in the Open category:
- A1: with light drones (under 250 g, or class C0 and C1), near uninvolved people but never over crowds.
- A3: with drones up to 25 kg, at least 150 metres from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.
If you want to fly a class C2 drone closer to people, you will also need the A2 certificate after your A1/A3.
The CAA A1/A3 exam step by step
- Get your remote pilot number (LVA-RP) and a verified account on the CAA e-services portal, using Latvia.lv eID, eSignature, Smart-ID or internet banking.
- Book and sit the online exam: 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes.
- Pass with at least 75%.
- Receive your certificate, free and within one working day. It is valid for 5 years.
The exam is offered in Latvian. Source: CAA, A1/A3 exam.
The alternative: sit the exam in another EASA country
You do not have to take the A1/A3 exam in Latvia. Any aviation authority in the 31 EASA countries can issue it, and it is valid in all of them, Latvia included.
In Spain, for example, the A1/A3 exam run by AESA is free, online and open to any nationality. It is a practical route if you do not speak Latvian. Your browser’s translator is enough to get through it.
Our course includes links to the official exam in every EASA country, with instructions on how to register.
The A2 certificate in Latvia
The A2 builds on your A1/A3 and adds practical self-training and a second theory exam.
| A1/A3 certificate | Required (a foreign certificate is uploaded in e-services), plus self-training confirmed by signature |
|---|---|
| Exam | In person at the CAA or a recognised body: 30 questions in 30 minutes, pass mark 75% |
| Language | Latvian or English |
| Fee | 15 euros for the first attempt, 10 euros for a retake |
| Validity | 5 years |
Source: CAA, A2 exam.
Registration, insurance and zones
As well as your certificate, you need to register and insure your drone.
- Operator registration: in UASIS on the CAA e-services portal, valid for 1 year. Mark the drone with your registration number. If you are registered in another EEA country or Switzerland, select that option in UASIS.
- Insurance: mandatory under Cabinet Regulation No. 375, with minimum cover of 50,000 euros for A1 and A2 flights. Drones under 250 g flying below 19 m/s are exempt. From 20 kg, the EU insurance limits apply.
- Zones: check the geozone map before every flight. Flights in zones are applied for on the CAA e-services portal.
Your certificate and your registration are two different things: the certificate is about you as a pilot, the registration is about you as the drone’s operator.
How to prepare for the exam
The quickest route is an online course that takes you straight to the official exam.
The EU Drone Port A1/A3 course is built for exactly that:
- Video lessons online, whenever you like.
- 5 mock exams and a final exam.
- Links to the official exam in every EASA country.
- Lifetime access, handy for renewal after 5 years.
EU Drone Port is an Official Designated Training Entity. The course prepares you for the exam: the certificate is issued by the authority where you sit it.
Want to test yourself first? Download our free 25 practice questions for A1/A3 and A2.
For the A2, there is the A2 course, with mock exams and a guide to practical self-training.
Online course
Prepare for your A1/A3 exam
Video lessons online at your own pace, 5 mock exams and links to the official exam in every EASA country. A course by an Official Designated Training Entity.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone licence cost in Latvia?
The A1/A3 exam and certificate are free. The A2 exam costs 15 euros for the first attempt.
In which language is the Latvian drone exam?
The A1/A3 exam is offered in Latvian. The A2 exam can be taken in Latvian or English.
Is a drone certificate from another country valid in Latvia?
Yes. A certificate issued by any EASA authority is valid in all 31 EASA countries, Latvia included.
Do I need a licence for a drone under 250 grams?
Yes, if it has a camera. Only toy drones without a camera are exempt.
Is drone insurance mandatory in Latvia?
Yes, with minimum cover of 50,000 euros for A1 and A2 flights. Drones under 250 g flying below 19 m/s are exempt.
How long is the drone certificate valid?
The A1/A3 and A2 certificates are valid for 5 years.
How long does it take to prepare?
With a structured online course, a few hours is enough: our A1/A3 course takes about three and a half hours, mock exams included.