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 Drivers must always carry their country driver's license and passport to avoid fines. - A.M. Costa Rica illustrative photo - Local drivers must renew their licenses, foreigners are allowed to use their country licenses until September |
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Published
Thursday, April 8, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Driver Accreditation System statistics records show that 15,660 local driver's licenses have expired, including Costa Ricans and foreign residents. However, in the case of tourists, they are allowed to use their country driver’s license until the first week of September 2021, announced the Ministry of Transport. According to the ministry, the majority of local drivers with expired licenses own cars, small trucks and motorcycles, which authorities call on drivers to renew their licenses to avoid getting a $40 fine. Those with a license expiring in May, June or July, will be allowed to do the renewal process as early as this month since the Traffic Law allows to renew the license 3 months before its expiration.  To renew the license, the first step is to request an appointment at the Road Safety Council website, know as Cosevi, on Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Cosevi website. In case the website is saturated, the renewal can also be requested by calling 9000-626356 during the same time on Thursday. Another option is requesting the renewal at any branch of the Banco de Costa Rica by calling 800-227-2482. The requisites to renew the driver's license are: • Pay ¢10,000 colones, about $16. • No unpaid fine. • Have less than 5 penalty points on the driving record. • Have the code of the medical test which confirms good health to drive. • Have a legal ID. • Wear a facemask to enter the Council facilities. In the case of international tourist, they are also given an extension to use their country driver’s license until the first week of September 2021, following a grace period ordered by the Ministry of Transport. All foreign tourist drivers whose country driver licenses expired in March 2020, can drive using their country's license until the first week of September. Drivers must always carry their country driver's license and passport to avoid fines. For international tourists with a driver’s license expired before March 2020 and are in the country under the status of refugees, permanent residents or temporary residents, should validate their foreign license (so-called homologation process) by requesting an appointment on the same Council website. --------------------
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