Costa Rica - relocation
Costa Rica Driving License Conversion 2026: From Tourist to Resident Behind the Wheel
Tourists can drive on a US, Canadian or EU license for the duration of their tourist stamp. Residents have 3 months from DIMEX issuance to swap to a Costa Rican license at COSEVI. We walk through the documents, the eye test, and what changes when you become a resident.
Key takeaway
On a tourist stamp your foreign license is valid up to 90 days. Once your DIMEX residency card issues, you have 3 months to convert at a COSEVI office. The conversion is a same-day visual check + eye exam + RTV registration, no driving test if your license is from an OECD or accepted country.
Costa Rica is small geographically but car-dependent culturally. Most expats outside the San Jose metro need a vehicle within weeks of arrival. The driving-license rules split into two clear regimes: tourist (foreign license valid for the duration of the entry stamp, up to 90 days) and resident (must convert within 3 months of DIMEX issuance).
Driving as a tourist
Your home-country license is fully valid in Costa Rica for the duration of your tourist entry stamp, currently up to 180 days for US, Canadian, UK and EU passport holders. You do NOT need an International Driving Permit (IDP), although carrying one in addition to your home license eases checkpoints and rental-car desks. If you exit and re-enter Costa Rica to "reset" your stamp, the new clock applies to the new entry.
The DIMEX 3-month conversion clock
Costa Rica considers your foreign license valid for 3 months after your DIMEX issues. After that, driving on a foreign license is a traffic infraction with a USD 150-300 fine plus possible vehicle impoundment. The conversion is administrative, not exam-based, for licenses from recognized countries.
Step-by-step conversion at COSEVI
Documents required
- DIMEX residency card (original + photocopy)
- Foreign driver license (original, valid, not expired)
- Apostille of foreign license
- Official Spanish translation of foreign license
- Passport with current entry stamp
- Proof of address in Costa Rica (utility bill, lease, or notarized declaration)
- Eye test fee receipt (paid on-site)
- License issuance fee receipt (paid via Banco de Costa Rica or COSEVI kiosk)
Costs (2026)
| Item | Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apostille from home country | $5 - $50 | Varies by issuing authority |
| Authorized Spanish translation | $28 - $47 | CRC 15,000-25,000 |
| COSEVI eye exam | $8 | CRC 4,400 |
| License issuance fee | $45 | CRC 24,000 |
| Total conversion outlay | ~$86 - $150 | Excluding any prior international driving permit |
Countries that get a clean swap
Costa Rica accepts conversion without a driving test from most OECD countries: USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, all EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, plus Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil among Latin American jurisdictions. Licenses from outside this list require a Costa Rican driving exam.
The points system
Costa Rica runs a 50-point license. Each infraction deducts points: minor (1-5 points), major (10-15), grave (20-30). Reach zero and your license is suspended for 1 year. Drunk driving (alcoholemia over 0.49 g/L) is a 30-point loss plus criminal charges plus immediate license retention. Foreign residents are subject to the same point regime as Costa Rican citizens.
Vehicle ownership and RTV
Every car in Costa Rica must pass annual Revision Tecnica Vehicular (RTV), an inspection covering brakes, lights, emissions, alignment and structural integrity. RTV runs at certified centers (Riteve and successor operators); failure means 1 month to fix and retest. Costs USD 25-40 per inspection. Vehicle ownership transfer requires notarized escritura and is handled via Registro Nacional; budget USD 200-400 in transfer taxes and notary fees on used-car purchases.
Sources
Related visa guides
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Costa Rica on my US license forever?
Only as a tourist. The moment your DIMEX residency card issues, the foreign license remains valid for 3 more months and then must be converted. Driving as a resident on a foreign license after that window is a traffic infraction and your vehicle can be impounded at a checkpoint.
Do I need to take a driving test?
No, if your license is from an OECD country, Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina or Brazil. You provide apostille + translation + eye exam and walk out with the Costa Rican license. If your license is from a country not on the recognized list, you take the COSEVI written and practical exam.
How long is the Costa Rican license valid?
For residents under 65, the license issues for 6 years. For residents 65 and older, it issues for 3 years with mandatory medical fitness exam at renewal. Renewals are administrative if your record is clean; another eye exam is required at each renewal cycle.
What if I lose my foreign license before converting?
You must obtain a replacement from your home country first, apostille it, translate it, then convert. COSEVI will not accept police reports or affidavits in lieu of the original document. Plan replacement with your home DMV before traveling if your license is near-expired or damaged.
Can my spouse drive my rental car?
Yes if she is listed as an additional driver on the rental agreement and presents her own valid license. Costa Rica enforces named-driver clauses; an unlisted driver invalidates the rental insurance and creates personal liability for any damages.
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