Road Traffic Safety Directorate

CSDD (Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate) is a Latvian state joint-stock company that oversees road traffic safety in Latvia under the Road Traffic Law and its own statutes. It is the country's central administrative body for vehicle registration, the administration of driving qualification examinations and the issuance of driving licences, and the provision of periodic technical inspections. It also maintains the national registers of vehicles and their drivers, and carries out and supervises road safety audits. The organisation traces its origins to 25 October 1991, when a new state unit — the Road Traffic Safety Department — was created within the Ministry of Transport, later transformed into a directorate. It took over the functions of the State Auto Inspection (VAI) established during the Soviet occupation. The legal framework was consolidated by government regulations with the force of law "On Road Traffic" in 1994 and by the Road Traffic Law proclaimed by the State President on 21 October 1997, which defines who in Latvia handles general road traffic administration, issues driving licences, registers vehicles and develops traffic rules. On 1 September 2004 CSDD was reorganised into a state joint-stock company (valsts akciju sabiedrība). Beyond its core regulatory and registry duties, it also operates the Riga Motor Museum, its Bauska branch, and the Biķernieki motor racing circuit. In September 2022 Aivars Aksenoks became the head of CSDD. The directorate is a well-known public-facing brand in Latvia, since virtually every vehicle owner and driver interacts with its registration, licensing and inspection services.

CSDD's history begins on 25 October 1991, when a new state structural unit — the Road Traffic Safety Department (Ceļu satiksmes drošības departaments) — was established within the Ministry of Transport. This body was later transformed into a directorate. The new institution took over the functions of the State Auto Inspection (Valsts autoinspekcija, VAI), which had been created during the Soviet occupation of Latvia. The legal basis for road traffic administration was progressively consolidated. On 30 August 1994 the Cabinet of Ministers issued regulations with the force of law "On Road Traffic". On 21 October 1997 the State President proclaimed the Road Traffic Law (Ceļu satiksmes likums), which sets out who in Latvia is responsible for the general administration of road traffic, issues driving licences, registers vehicles and develops traffic rules, as well as the duties and rights of drivers. On 1 September 2004 CSDD was reorganised into a state joint-stock company (valsts akciju sabiedrība). In this form it continues to perform public administrative functions while operating as a state-owned commercial entity. In September 2022 Aivars Aksenoks became the head of CSDD. In August 2026, following a cyberattack and a data leak, the CSDD council submitted a letter of resignation to the Minister of Transport, and the minister called for the resignation of all CSDD board members as well. CSDD board chairman Aivars Aksenoks announced the resignation of the board.

• Road Traffic Safety Department established within the Ministry of Transport, taking over functions of the State Auto Inspection (VAI).

• Cabinet of Ministers issues regulations with the force of law "On Road Traffic".

• State President proclaims the Road Traffic Law.

• CSDD reorganised into a state joint-stock company.

• Aivars Aksenoks becomes head of CSDD.

• After a cyberattack and data leak, the CSDD council and board resign.

Latvia's national road traffic safety authority and state joint-stock company, combining regulatory, registry, licensing and inspection functions with public heritage and motorsport assets.

• Vehicle registration

  Registration of vehicles in the national register.

• Driving licence issuance

  Issuance of driving licences to qualified drivers.

• Driving qualification examinations

  Administration of driving qualification examinations.

• Technical inspection

  Periodic roadworthiness testing of vehicles.

• Vehicle and driver registers

  Creation and maintenance of registers of vehicles and their drivers.

• Road safety audits

  Supervision and performance of road safety audits.

• Riga Motor Museum

  Operation of the Riga Motor Museum and its Bauska branch.

• Biķernieki motor racing circuit

  Operation of the Biķernieki motor racing circuit.

• Cyberattack and data leak

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• Reorganisation into a state joint-stock companyOther

1. 1Road Traffic Safety Directorate - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija - Wikipedia (Latvian)lv.wikipedia.org
3. 3CSDD official websitecsdd.lv