COSTA RICA
Validation of a Foreign Driver’s License in Costa Rica. Those foreigners staying in the country for more than 3 months and wanting to drive a car are required by law to obtain a Costa Rican driver’s license. They can validate the license of their country of origin by fulfilling the following requirements:
- Must be over the age of 18.
- Proof of legal residency, through residency card, work permit or refugee card. Or proof that the foreigner has acquired Costa Rican nationality.
- The foreign license must be current (not expired).
- To have stayed in Costa Rica for more than three months, which can be proved with the passport or certification of arrivals/ departures issued by the Immigration Department.
- Medical exam for the license issued by an authorized physician.
- If the foreign license was issued on language different than Spanish, an official translation attached is required.
- Pay 5.000 colons for the service.
COSEVI, the agency that issues these licenses has offices in Heredia, Cartago, Nicoya, Liberia, Rio Claro, Puntarenas, San Carlos, Alajuela, San Ramon, Perez Zeledon, Guapiles, and Limon in addition to the main offices in San José – La Uruca. The days to submit those applications are Tuesdays and Wednesday between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. only.
Getting your vehicles technical Inspection date online. All vehicles in Costa Rica are required to pass a vehicle technical inspection RTV once a year. For vehicles less than five years old this is to be done every two years. A sticker on the windshield usually shows the month and year when this inspection is due. A Traffic Officer will proceed to issue a fine/ ticket to a car without a current RTV and it’s also an essential requirement to proceed paying the MARCHAMO or property tax due every December. There are RTV stations all over the country and the appointment can be obtained online on the website https://www.rtv.co.cr/obtener-cita/ .
About the Author: Allan Garro was incorporated as a lawyer and public notary in 1996. He specializes in Litigation, Corporate and Real Estate Law. He has also acted as external legal consultant to Congress. He has been the author of more than 100 published English Language articles and can be reached at allan@garrolaw.com
Article from: https://news.co.cr/how-foreigners-can-get-their-costa-rican-drivers-license-and-rtv-in-costa-rica/78802/
