Top 10 Costa Rica

A Race To Obtain Your Costa Rican Drivers License

If you have been thinking of obtaining your Costa Rican drivers license now is a good time to do so, for come September 23, 2009 the fine for driving without a license or an expired license will be ¢106.800 colones and points that will be added to your license if and when you obtain one.

The current fine is ¢2.600 colones plus costs.

The new Ley de Tránsito which is expected to take full effect on September 23, will require everyone behind the wheel of a vehicle to have a Costa Rican drivers license.

This requirements includes foreigners living in Costa Rica, with the only exception is for visitors who can drive with the license from their home country as long as they are within the “tourist visa” period and a passport to confirm such. The tourist visa period for North Americans and Europeans is 90 days, while 30 days for most other countries.

And as such the lines at the Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) of the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) in La Uruca and other regional centers, have been long for the past week.

The long lines include first time drivers, those with expired licenses and some foreigners deciding to obtain their Costa Rican drivers license.

The number of people at the La Uruca Conavi offices has been more than 1.000 people daily as for such the Conavi will remain open up to 6pm daily (two additional hours).

License renewals can also be obtained at the Banco de Costa Rica branch in La Uruca and other branches, but only with an appointment. To make an appointment at the BCR the number is 800 227-24-82.

Foreigners who want to obtain their Costa Rican drivers license, however, must personally visit the Conavi offices in La Uruca and regional offices, presenting their home country drivers license and passport with the entry stamp and a medical certificate, which can be obtained easily from medical offices located in the vicinity of the Conavi.

Costa Rican drivers licenses will only be issued, without the written and driving test, to foreigners while in their “tourist visa” period, after that they must present proof of the written examination and the driving test.