No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaForeigners in Costa Rica can now legally drive after three-month limit

Foreigners in Costa Rica can now legally drive after three-month limit

Tourists with a valid foreign driver’s license can legally operate a vehicle in Costa Rica beyond the typical three-month limit, the Public Works and Transport Ministry (MOPT) has announced.

In a press release issued Wednesday night, MOPT said the following:

We extend through May 15 the grace period for drivers whose license has expired after March 20, 2020, so that during the period from March 20 to May 15, 2020, they are not fined for this cause. 

The same period of time applies for drivers with a valid foreign driver’s license, with an uninterrupted stay in the country for longer than three months and who should have homologated their license as of March 20. 

In addition, for those who are in Costa Rica as tourists and have entered the country after December 17, 2019, we authorize an extension until July 17, 2020 to renew, in the case that their homologation status is expired. 

[Emphasis is ours.]

Under normal circumstances, foreigners can legally drive in Costa Rica using a driver’s license from another country for up to three months after their arrival. This doesn’t usually cause problems, because Costa Rica issues tourist visas for up to 90 days.

However, Costa Rica has extended tourist visas due to the coronavirus pandemic, leaving many foreigners in the country unable to drive if they have been here for more than three months.

Foreigners who entered Costa Rica on a tourist visa after December 17, 2019, can legally remain in Costa Rica until July 17, 2020. And now, with a valid foreign license, they can legally drive throughout that period, too.

Update: A previous version of this story mistranslated March and May, because that’s what happens when breaking news happens late at night. 

Trending Now

Mexico Battles Wildfire Damage with Drone-Based Reforestation

Authorities in the state of Michoacán, in western Mexico, are using drones to scatter seeds from the air in an effort to reforest hundreds...

President Chaves Downplays Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Amid Record Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves brushed off concerns about Costa Rica's surging violence during his Wednesday press conference, insisting the security situation "is not as serious"...

End of Air Canada Strike Brings Relief for Costa Rica-Bound Passengers

Air Canada flight attendants ended their strike Tuesday after reaching a tentative agreement with the airline, paving the way for flights to resume gradually....

Panama Union Files Lawsuits Against Chiquita Over Mass Layoffs

Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, will meet in Brazil with U.S. banana company Chiquita Brands in search of an agreement for the company to...

Earthquake Shakes Costa Rica’s Central Valley

An earthquake shook Costa Rica early Friday morning. The tremor occurred at 12:45 a.m. with a magnitude of 4.4. Its epicenter was located 1...

Fan Violence in Latin American Football Spurs Debate on Security and Culture

Images of a fan jumping from the stands to escape a beating as bottles, rocks and seats fly through the air at a game...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica