With the obsessive traffic fines and sanctions, foreigners living and/or working in Costa Rica are best to get a Costa Rican drivers license and avoid getting fined for driving without a license, for you see any foreigner outside of their “visitors” visa is required to do so. The fine for not following this regulation is ¢68.100, plus 30% for PANI (Children’s welfare agency) and 3% a month late fees.

The rules for foreigners calls for anyone outside of his or her “visitor” stay (90 days for North Americans and Europeans, 30 days for most others), they are required to obtain a Costa Rican drivers license and the changes to the traffic law of March 1, 2010, exposes those who do not or fail to carry a drivers license with them to the above mentioned fine.

If you do not plan to stay in Costa Rica more than your “visitor” status, then no problem: a passport, showing the date of your entry into Costa Rica and your drivers license from your country of origin will do.

But, if you need a Costa Rican drivers license, read on.

It is very important to keep in mind that the traffic rules and regulations change without notice, or reason for that matter of fact, and always ensure that, before heading out to the drivers licensing centre, your information is current.

The following is the basis of the steps in getting a Costa Rican drivers license, and although there may be some changes, the core of the system has been in tact for some time.

But, before please keen in mind that the process is, although not rocket science complicated, you will need to have lots of patience. If you are an impatient person, then be prepared to be stressed out. We suggest a “chill pill” before heading out to the COSEVI (Consejo de Securidad Vial), Costa Rica’s version of the DMV.

And before you even start to line up, make sure you have your “medical certificate”, a very important part of the obtaining a Costa Rican drivers license. And, all licenses issued to foreigners has to be done so at the La Uruca, San José licensing offices.

To get the medical certificate you can locate any one of the many doctor offices located around the COSEVI, some set up in parking lots. The exam included an eye exam, blood pressure (a blood test is now part of the exam) and lots of questions about your physical and mental. The exam is not to determine you are healthy or not, just that your healthy enough to get a drivers license.

The process takes little time and costs between ¢10.000 and ¢15.000 colones.

You could go to your family doctor, but this is not generally recommended as “your” doctor may not have the required form or be current with the regulations, meaning it will take more time and more costs. In the alternative, some pharmacies have not gotten into the medical certificate game, providing the service while you are buying aspirin for the headache that is ahead.

Now, with your medical certificate in hand, your passport (very important that you must not be over your “visitor” stay) and your foreign drivers license (not important if it was issued from your home country or some other country).

Having a foreign drivers license is very important as it will eliminate the need for the written and driving test, since Costa Rican officials feel no need to be tested if you have a license from a country that strictly enforces its traffic laws, like the United States, Canada, Europe, etc.

The hard part in this process is making your way in the line. But, once that is done, and you have paid the fee to the Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) branch conveniently located in the COSEVI installations, you are almost done, with the last step getting your mug shot and waiting for the printer to finish.

Whatever you do, don’t smile.

For some reason, MOPT officials do not want smiles in the drivers license photos. We do not know the reason for this, but smiles are frowned upon.

Drivers licenses are issued for the first time for only two years (up to five years on renewal), at which time you will have to go through the whole process again.

This process can take anywhere from under an hour to the whole day, depending on a number of things like the number of people getting a license that day, if the equipment is working, you have all your documents and don’t have to make line again and well just about any other reason public officials can think of for you to have a “memorable” day at the licensing office.

Now, with drivers license in hand, you are ready to “legally” drive in Costa Rica and subject to fines and sanctions like a Tico (Costa Rican), which if unpaid will stop you from renewing your drivers license in two years.

But, wait, if you get a ticket driving with your foreign license and don’t pay it, it won’t affect you. Not yet, anyways. But that’s a topic for another day.