Driving/Transit Laws

Costa Rica Transit Laws

Driving in Costa Rica can be a real challenge for visitors. While the traffic laws are essentially the same as in the States, enforcement of them is not. There is a serious shortage of Transito Police (Transito are the traffic, highway patrol type of police) and the experience most people have with them is through speed traps. People constantly drive in "wreckless" ways such as passing in no-pass zones, and just blatenly disregard the laws, mostly because they know there will be no police presence. You will find that if you use your horn and honk someone for doing something dangerous, the response will usually be an angry one, sometimes almost violent so just go with it.

Many visitors think that the traffic laws, and subsequent penalties for violating them really don't apply to them. After all, they will be leaving the country for home. THINK AGAIN! You will be incarcerated and you will will be responsible for all fines. While your car rental company will use your credit card to make sure fines are paid, a confiscated vehicle is another matter. You will be held responsible for the car - all of it. You will not be allowed to exit the country until all obligations are met.

Having forewarned you about the difficulties of driving in Costa Rica, it needs to now be said that driving really is an excellent way to see this incredibly beautiful country and visit off-the-beaten-path places that will give a feel for the "real" Costa Rica, not just the tourist areas. Taking your time and taking in the sights can be a wonderfully rewarding experience and you will bring positive memories home with you. Just remember, as it is everywhere, respect the laws and the customs and you will be just fine.

The new traffic law of Costa Rica provides for stiffer monetary fines for traffic violations and became effective in March, 2010. In 2011 the traffic fines were increased again. The posted fines are still without the 30% surcharge for PANI (Children’s welfare agency).

Emblems of the traffic police and the M.O.P.T. Many fear that with the new traffic law, that includes stiffer penalties and fines for traffic violations, the amount of corruption will increase. The MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) plan to conduct stings to identify cops who solicit bribes.

One can report a corrupt traffic policeman in the offices of the MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Publicas y Transportes). Therefore you have to present the name and the number of the official. The number is visible on uniform of the traffic policemen.

The number plate of the car of the official can help to identify him/her.

Complainants may file a written complaint at the central office of the MOPT (avenue 20 and 22 street 9, San Jose, phone 2257 7798) or by fax 2257 5247.

   Traffic Offense - Deducted Points/Fines
* Not wearing a seatbelt 20 pts. and ¢15.000 or about $30
* Not complying with downtown vehicle restrictions 10 pts. and ¢31.600 or approximately $62
* Driving 20 km/h or more over the speed limit   20 pts. and ¢237.150 or approximately $475
* Driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit 50 pts. and ¢316.200 or about $632
* Not keeping braking safety distance between moving cars    5 pts. and ¢68.100 or approximately
   $136
* Running a red light or stop sign    25 pts. and ¢170.250 or approximately $340
* Stopping in the middle of an intersection    15 pts. and ¢113.500 or about $227
* Contamination of public roads    20 pts. and ¢113.500 or approximately $227
* Driving with broken wipers or lights    5 pts. and ¢68.100 or approximately $136
* Driving without a windscreen    10 pts. and ¢90.800 or about $182
* Use of loudspeakers, to make announcements, without the proper permission 10 pts. and ¢22.700
     or approximately $45
* Use of rotating lights without the proper permission    10 pts. and ¢22.700 or approximately $45
* Riding bicycle or motorcycle without wearing a reflective vest 10 pts. and ¢126.480 or about $253
* Driving with expired marchamo 15 pts. and ¢10.000 or about $20
* Not paying at the tollbooth 0 pts. and ¢22.700 or approximately $45
* Driving without a valid driver’s license 50 pts. and ¢227.000 or $460 and confiscation of the
   vehicle
* Driving with an suspended driver’s license 50 pts. and ¢227.000 or about $460 and confiscation of
   the vehicle
* Driving with an expired driver’s license 5 pts. and ¢94.860 or approximately $190
* Offering public transport without the proper permission 10 pts. ¢22.700 or about $45
* Driving with a foreign driver's license for more than 3 months 0 pts. ¢68.100 or about$136
* Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.05 an 5. Between 1 and 3 years
   imprisonment or social work, confiscation of the vehicle and suspension of the driver's license for 2
   years
* Driving faster than 150 km/h 50 pts.    Between 1 and 3 years imprisonment or social work,
   confiscation of the vehicle and suspension of the driver's license for 2 years
* Driving faster than 150 km/h 50 pts.    Between 1 and 3 years imprisonment or social work,
   confiscation of the vehicle and suspension of the driver's license for 2 years
* Participation in illegal races 50 pts.    Between 1 and 3 years imprisonment or social work,
   confiscation of the vehicle and suspension of the driver's license for 2 years