Getting a Driver's License in Costa Rica

Recently I had the opportunity to help a friend obtain a Costa Rican driver's license. The issuing office has recently moved to La Uruca, it is now much easier, convenient and less time consuming.

Remember that if you are visiting here longer than 90 days your foreign license is not considered to be valid. So if you are a frequent visitor or someone intending to stay for a period of time I would suggest obtaining a Costa Rica driver's license. It really is easy to obtain.

you will need a photocopy of 2 pages of your passport. First the photo page and then the page with your entry stamp (proof that you have been here less than 90 days).

Antoher document needed is a medical certificate. This can be obtained from any doctor or if you choose, there are doctors near the La Uruca office that will give you a quick exam and issue the needed document (cost about 6,000 colones).

Just before you enter the building, there is a Banco of Costa Rica, set up in a trailer, whre you will need to pay the 4,000 colones registration fee.

With all of these documents and the receipt from the Banco, the guard will let you enter the building. Go up to the second floor where your documents will be looked over and stamped. Then back to the main floor where your information will be entered into the computer system, your photo and finger print (digital scan) taken and then in about 3 minutes you will have your new driver's license.

We went in the afternoon and everything from the doctor's exam - to photocopying - to obtaining the license took about 1 hour.

Whether you think it is needed or not, a Costa Rican driver's license and passport will make things much easier. Besides, it can be used back home in the United States or Canada. Imagine the look on the face of a police office at home when you show your Costa Rican driver's license.

Rod