The offices reopened after a one-week closure prompted by a government decree that granted most public-sector employees in nonessential services time off during the country's mid-year public school vacation.

Costa Rica's annual mid-year school break is traditionally one of the busiest periods for domestic travel, as many families head to beaches, mountains and other rural destinations. July is also one of the country's peak tourism months.

Authorities said drivers who need to file appeals or resolve issues related to driver's licenses, license plates or traffic fines may also submit their requests by email at recepcion-impugnaciones@csv.go.cr

To recover an impounded vehicle or a confiscated license plate, drivers must first schedule an appointment through the Cosevi website.

Under Costa Rica's traffic law, vehicle owners must pay the original traffic fine, a towing fee and a daily vehicle custody fee before an impounded vehicle can be released. The towing fee varies depending on the distance between the location where the vehicle was seized and the police impound lot.

The base towing fee is approximately $15 for the first three miles, with an additional charge of about $8 for each additional mile. Vehicles stored at a Cosevi impound facility are also subject to a custody fee of $10 per day.

Traffic fines remain valid for seven years. Before an impounded vehicle or confiscated license plate can be released, vehicle owners must pay all outstanding traffic fines, towing charges, custody fees and any other unpaid penalties that remain in effect.

In a related development, public transportation authorities have temporarily suspended weekday driving restrictions in the San José metropolitan area during the mid-year school vacation.

As of May, Costa Rica had recorded 278 traffic fatalities this year, with motorcyclists accounting for 59% of those deaths.

Costa Rica recorded more than 500 traffic-related deaths in 2025, representing a 13% increase compared with 2024.

Cosevi, an agency under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), is responsible for enforcing Costa Rica's traffic laws.

----------