Good News For Expats And Driving In Costa Rica

The Legislative Assembly bill has passed, aiming to amend the timeframe during which foreigners holding tourist or transit visas can use a license from their home country to drive in Costa Rica, while also streamlining the process for homologating the document

The initiative amends Article 91 of the Transit Law, which currently permits these individuals to drive in Costa Rica for 3 months, as long as their foreign license is still valid.

• Only temporary residents, permanent residents, and Costa Rican citizens can apply for a Costa Rican driver’s license.

• If you don’t have a license from your home country, you need to take a practical driving test and a written test in Spanish.

• If you have a license from your home country, you can undergo the homologation process to get a Costa Rican driver’s license without having to take a practical driving test and a written test.

• If you don’t have a license from your home country, you need to take a practical driving test and a written test in Spanish.

• The whole process can be straightforward as long as you have the right paperwork.

• Making an appointment can be challenging. It’s recommended to do it as soon as you can.

• If you need assistance, you can hire an agent to help you through the process.

• The driver’s license from your home country must be valid and in good condition.

Individuals with a valid foreign license who are in the country as tourists or in transit will be able to operate a vehicle for the same period of time as permitted by their license and visa.

As you go through the driving license application process, you’ll need to go to the Council for Road Safety (COSEVI).

The bill eliminates the requirement of continuous residency in Costa Rica for those wanting to homologate their documents. This accreditation is presently obtained at the moment of presenting the procedure before the Cosevi, supported by a registry of entries and exits from the country.

To start the homologation process, you must have remained in Costa Rica for a period greater than 3 months and 1 day consecutively, starting from your last entry into the country.

This is very important: if you try to process the homologation before 91 days have passed since your last entry into the country, you will be told to come back after 91 days.

Once you finish the homologation process, you can now get the license at Banco de Costa Rica Bank.

The plan was presented by the deputy of the PLN and legislative president, Rodrigo Arias. Arias highlighted the obstacles that hinder foreigners from carrying out daily activities in the country. Therefore, this

project aims to prevent situations for foreigners with legal residence who, for various reasons, cannot comply with the established period of three months of uninterrupted stay in the country.

The legislative president also explained that this initiative promotes inclusion, mobility and road safety by facilitating driving for foreigners in Costa Rica.

Last September, the General Directorate of Migration stated that foreigners are now able to stay in the country for a period of up to 180 days on a single tourist visa, previously the limit was 90 days. However, the driving restrictions remain unchanged.