The Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, has decided to delay the implementation of a controversial new rule requiring compulsory third-party liability insurance, known as OCTA, for all vehicles. This postponement comes after significant public concern about the initial decision.
The original mandate, set to take effect on December 10th, would have required OCTA coverage even for vehicles not actively in use. However, the Saeima amended the law on Thursday, December 5th, pushing the implementation date to November 1st of the following year. This extension provides a nine-month window to refine the regulations and address public concerns, according to LSM.lv.
The original proposal was based on a directive from the European Union (EU). Previously, the Ministry had stated that the requirement for comprehensive insurance was a direct outcome of the directive. The Saeima’s move reflects an acknowledgment of the public’s objections and a commitment to creating a more “well-thought-out regulation.”
Parliament also considered two proposals from the opposition that aimed to eliminate the requirement for OCTA for inactive vehicles entirely. Both were rejected during the parliamentary proceedings.
During the debate, Jānis Vitenbergs, a spokesperson for the National Alliance, voiced skepticism. He said the delay was only postponing the problem and that discussions on the matter would likely resume in October, continuing the debate.
Commenting on the logic of extending insurance requirements to unused vehicles, Vitenbergs added, “OCTA can apply to an iron, a hairdryer, a dumbbell that can roll around and cause damage to someone.” This remark highlighted the perceived absurdity of the ruling.
