How To Get Your Costa Rican Driver’s License: A Local’s Guide

There are two ways to obtain a Tico driver’s license: by homologating an existing foreign license or by obtaining it for the first time. Homologating is the simplest way. However, if you need to obtain a license for the first time, I will explain what I had to do step-by-step, share some personal advice on how to prepare for your tests as well as avoiding scams and, hopefully, shed some light on this subject overall.

“Homologating” A Foreign Driver’s License

For this option, you will need to prove that you have been living in Costa Rica for at least 3 months or more. You also need legal status in the country, meaning you must be a legal resident or a citizen. To do this, you will need to request an appointment here. On the date of your appointment, you will need to show up at Cosevi, the institution in charge of issuing driver’s licenses and permits (“Consejo de Seguridad Vial” or “Road Safety Council” in English), and wait in line.

The documents you will need to hand in are:

• Your driver’s license up to date and in good shape.

• Your DIMEX, work permit or refugee card (proving your stay in the country).

• A medical health certificate.

Obtaining Your License For The First Time

Obtaining a license for the first time means you will have to go through the process of passing two tests (a multiple-choice and a driving one) and, perhaps, learning how to drive and obtaining a driver’s permit. We will discuss all the requirements this option demands.

The Multiple-Choice Test

Appointments are usually opened on Mondays at 8am, however, it currently seems very difficult to obtain one. To apply, you will need to request an appointment here https://servicios.educacionvial.go.cr/formularios/MatriculaPruebaTeorica. Make sure you have these required documents and certificates:

• A medical health certificate issued by a general doctor (there are many options of clinics that offer general medical check-ups for exactly this process with prices ranging from 18,000 to 25,000 colones).

• The “entero” (a 5,000 colones payment you will have to deposit at either the Banco Nacional, the Banco de Costa Rica or the BAC Credomatic).

Make sure to present these certificates at Cosevi when the day of your test comes.

This test is typically done at the Cosevi installations in a computer room with several other people. You will have a specific given amount of time in order to answer a series of questions regarding driving safety, road signalization, and vehicle operation.

The system is loaded with a big bunch of questions, but applicants will only be shown a fraction of them randomly. Failing a point regarding a specific topic will result in the computer showing you more questions regarding that same topic. For example, if you failed a question related to the mechanics of the car, your next questions will discuss mechanics as well.

Advice from a local:

If you’re a first-time driver and don’t have much road-experience, I recommend you sign up for some classes. There are institutions and driving schools that offer preparation for the test as well as scheduling of your appointment. The classes will make you feel more confident and guide you through the different questions the test may present. Everyone gets different tests. Therefore, some people will tell you that they didn’t even have to study and passed on their fist try while others will tell you they had to repeat the test 7 times. It varies widely. Most institutions will schedule your appointment for you which helps simplify the process.

The Driver’s Permit

After passing the multiple-choice test, you will be able to request a driver’s permit that allows you to drive when in company of someone who has already had a driver’s license for 5 years or more. This document has a validity of three months and it can be renewed an infinite amount of times.

In order to both request and renew the permit, you will need:

• An appointment solicited through this site. (https://servicios.educacionvial.go.cr/Formularios/ConsultaCitaTramite)

• Special insurance for people soliciting or renewing the permit (must be requested at INS, translated as the “National Institute of Insurances” in English).

• The “entero” (a 500 colones payment you will have to deposit at either the Banco Nacional, the Banco de Costa Rica or the BAC Credomatic).

• A medical health certificate issued by a general doctor.

Just to be safe, make sure to present these certificates at Cosevi when the day of your appointment comes.

The Driving Test

In order to take this test, you will need to have passed the multiple choice exam. Normally, dates of appointments are issued every day, however, it currently seems very difficult to obtain one. To apply, you will need to request an appointment here. (https://servicios.educacionvial.go.cr/formularios/matriculapruebapractica) Make sure you have these required documents and certificates:

• Insurance for people taking the test (must be requested at INS).

• The “entero” (a 5,000 colones payment you will have to deposit at either the Banco Nacional, the Banco de Costa Rica or the BAC Credomatic).

• A medical health certificate issued by a general doctor.

You will be required to present these certificates at Cosevi when the day of your test comes. The examination consists of completing a route while following the corresponding road and driving rules. This one runs both inside and outside the Cosevi circuits. The vehicle you use to take the test must have all the required legal inspections and documents up to date.

Advice from a local:

During the test, besides driving correctly, the instructors may want you to pay attention to details regarding road safety. For example, they may get in the car with you without putting on their seat belt. If you don’t correct them before initiating the route, you will automatically lose all your test points and fail. It is wise to get instructed in order to be prepared for all possible scenarios during your driving exam.

All Cosevi circuits are different. Some people consider the ones in certain areas to be simpler and easier than others. Listen to different opinions and investigate before deciding what works best for you.

Requesting Your Driver’s License

After passing the test, you will have to go deposit a payment in order to request your card. If you have a national ID, you will be able to go to the Cosevi facilities or to a BCR (Banco de Costa Rica). If you are a resident, you will need to go to Cosevi exclusively to get your picture taken and receive your license.

Avoid The “Gavilanes”

Much like opportunistic carnivore birds, “Gavilanes” is the name given to those people who circle around Cosevi and Mopt facilities offering tempting, quick, and not-so-legal options for others wanting to obtain a driver’s license.

Some of the things the “gavilanes” will tell you are:

 “We sell appointments and licenses.”

“We can change the date of your appointments and your test scores in case you fail.”

“We have contacts inside Cosevi that can help you.”

It is impossible for you to buy a license and avoid taking the exams. If you purchase a fake driver’s license and get stopped by a police officer, you run the risk of being looked up in the Cosevi system, not appearing, and facing fines and driving suspensions.

If you buy an appointment, you may attend Cosevi only to find out you don’t really have an appointment. You may end up paying 50,000 colones for someone to change the date of your official appointment from December 17th to August 4th and attend Cosevi on August 4th to find out you still have your appointment for December 17th.

Play safe, take care of your money, and don’t believe what everybody says.

Delay In Cosevi’s Driver Licenses’ Appointments

Costa Rica has been experiencing delayed scheduling of appointments since 2019. This has only worsened with the pandemic. In the past you could schedule an appointment for the next 3 weeks, people are now waiting from 4 to even 6 or 7 months in order to take their exams. Cosevi claims that their limited personnel has become unable to attend a growing demand of appointments and that exposure to COVID-19 limits the availability of their employees. That’s all we officially know for now.