Costa Rica Driver’s License: Driving With a US License

Yes. You can drive in Costa Rica with a valid US driver’s license, or any other valid foreign license, for as long as immigration has authorized you to stay as a visitor. Costa Rica’s Traffic Law does not ask visitors for an International Driving Permit: your home license is what counts. Once you live here as a resident, you switch to a Costa Rican license through a process called homologation, without the practical driving test and with no minimum time in the country.

Can I drive in Costa Rica with a US license?

Yes. Article 91 of Traffic Law 9078 lets anyone holding a foreign driver’s license who is in Costa Rica as a visitor, or in transit, drive the same kind of vehicle that license allows, for exactly as long as their authorized legal stay. The same traffic rules and fines apply to you as to a Costa Rican driver.

• How long: your driving permission matches the stay immigration granted you at entry. If you were authorized for 180 days, you may drive for 180 days; if you were given fewer, the shorter period applies. When your legal stay ends, so does your permission to drive.
• Which vehicles: whatever your license covers. A car license (equivalent to Costa Rica’s B-1) also lets you ride motorcycles and scooters up to 125 cc, or electric ones up to 11 kW, on non-primary roads, and tricycles and quads up to 500 cc.
• Digital licenses: if your state or country issues your license in digital form, officers cannot insist on a physical card.
• International Driving Permit: the Traffic Law does not require one. Rental companies set their own conditions, so check your rental agreement.
• Carry your passport: your entry record is what shows how long you are authorized to stay, and so how long your license is valid here.

The rule is the same for visitors of every nationality. Older articles that mention a fixed 90-day driving limit are out of date: the law now ties driving to your authorized stay.

If you live here: residents and pending applications

Foreigners with an approved immigration status, or who have applied for one, drive on a Costa Rican license obtained by homologating their foreign one. The law sets no minimum period of stay first. Your foreign license must be valid; you must meet the requirements for that license class, except the basic road-safety course and the practical driving test; and you must show your legal stay or your pending immigration procedure.

Article 91 also says that foreigners whose request for a change of migratory category or an extension is waiting for a final decision from the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería are in regular status and authorized to drive. Keep proof of your filing with you. If you are planning to live here, our Costa Rica residency guide explains the categories.

What homologation means

MOPT’s homologation information sheet describes obtaining a Costa Rican license equivalent to a foreign license. It states there is no minimum period of stay before requesting the procedure, and that the procedure is personal and in person.

How the homologation actually runs, step by step

The part that confuses people is that two different institutions are involved, and they do different jobs. Educación Vial checks and approves your paperwork. The Banco de Costa Rica prints the card. Since 16 August 2022 the printing has been done only at BCR branches enabled for licence issuing, and BCR does nothing else — presenting the requirements, having them reviewed and getting the trámite approved all still happen at a Dirección General de Educación Vial office.

Four things worth knowing before you go

• Do not pay anything before you start. Educación Vial states plainly that no cost should be paid before beginning the trámite with them. Anyone asking you for money up front to “arrange” it is not part of the official process.
• Appointments go through BCR, at bcrcita.bancobcr.com or on 800-BCRCITA (2272482) — not through Educación Vial directly.
• Slots to present your requirements open in the last week of each month. Miss that window and you are waiting for the next one, which is the single most common reason people say the process is slow.
• Once approved, you have six months to have the licence printed at BCR. Approval is not the end of it, and the clock runs.

Homologation is handled only at certain Educación Vial offices, and while national licence certifications are available at every branch, international ones are issued only in San José. Offices run Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Checked against the Dirección General de Educación Vial (MOPT), “Acreditación del Conductor”, on 30 September 2026. Procedures change — confirm with Educación Vial before travelling to an office.

Book through the official system

MOPT’s service notice directs applicants to the Driver Accreditation System (SAC) for appointments. It lists requirements including immigration status, medical assessment, identification and foreign-license documentation. Use the complete current requirements for your circumstances; do not infer that every document needs the same translation or certification.

The information sheet says obtaining the appointment is free. Separate appointment booking from later licensing, medical or document costs, and confirm payment instructions with the authority.

Prepare questions before your appointment

• Is your foreign license valid and eligible for the requested category?
• Which identification and immigration records apply to your case?
• Does your license require official translation or additional certification?
• What medical assessment and payment steps are required?
• Which office and appointment are appropriate?

Confirm permission to drive now

Booking a homologation appointment does not give you a Costa Rican license by itself. Until you hold the card, your right to drive comes from Article 91: as a visitor within your authorized stay, or while a residency or extension request is pending at Migración. Check vehicle insurance and rental conditions separately.

Budget for everyday transport

Before choosing a home, test the road access, parking and routine journeys. Compare vehicle costs with the transport options actually available in the community. Allow extra time on unfamiliar roads and check weather and route conditions before a long trip.

For motorcycle-specific planning, see our motorcycle-license guide. MOPT remains responsible for licensing decisions; CRIE can help with the separate immigration questions involved in your move.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?

No. Costa Rica’s Traffic Law authorizes visitors to drive on their valid foreign license and does not require an International Driving Permit. A rental company may still ask for one under its own policy.

How long can I drive in Costa Rica with a US license?

For the same period immigration authorized you to stay. If your entry was approved for 180 days, you can drive for 180 days; a shorter authorized stay means a shorter driving period.

Can I drive while my residency application is pending?

Article 91 treats foreigners whose change of migratory category or extension is pending a final decision as being in regular status and authorized to drive. Keep proof of the filing with you.

Do I have to take a driving test to get a Costa Rican license?

Not the practical test. Homologation exempts you from the basic road-safety course and the practical driving test, but you must meet the other requirements for the license class, including the medical assessment.

Can I ride a scooter on my car license?

Yes, within limits: a car license covers motorcycles and scooters up to 125 cc, or electric up to 11 kW, on non-primary roads, plus tricycles and quads up to 500 cc.

Sources: Traffic Law 9078, Article 91, as amended by Law 10591 of 5 November 2024 (SINALEVI), and MOPT’s Dirección General de Educación Vial. Rules change; confirm with MOPT before relying on them.

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