How to Convert a U.S. Driver’s License to a Costa Rican License (2026)

I see many immigrants in online groups with the same questions we had: “What documentation do I need? Do I have to take a driving test here? Do I need a lawyer?” For this reason, I decided to share our experience with clear instructions as a way to help anyone else migrating to Costa Rica permanently. I’ve noticed since living here though, that other applicants have had varying experiences; this could be due to a number of factors. Some of these steps can be done in a different order or simultaneously with another, depending on the situation. However, what I outlined here would be my recommendation to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Immigrant Status and Identifications

My husband’s Florida DL was in good standing, but providing proof of its validity was not something we initially found in online research. If not done already, here is where I’ll advise you to contact your home state or country’s DMV department (or similar) in assisting with electronic or paper documents for the proof you’ll need to take to your application appointment. In our case, a screenshot of Florida’s DMV government site stating his DL was clear and active was sufficient.

Step 2: Register with COSEVI

Register as a COSEVI (Consejo de Seguridad Vial – Costa Rican Road Safety Council) user by validation at one of their administrative offices. This step MUST be done in order to make the homologation appointment online. (Another method to make the appointment is through their call center; however this is for those who are already validated by the government by some other means). To get registered as an online user, you must visit one of the regional locations in person with your identification card and a working email address. An agent will verify your identity and put you in the system; no appointment for this task is necessary. Getting verified also ensures you are the only person accessing your driving record. We visited the COSEVI in Nicoya (about an hour from home) where my husband was able to walk in and get assistance right away. The official home page for COSEVI is https://www.csv.go.cr/ to obtain detailed information on services and locations.

After you are put in the system, an email will be sent to you on the same day that contains a link and temporary password to create your online profile.

Once you are in the COSEVI online portal, you will then have to navigate to a different site called the General Directorate of Road Education (Direccion de Educacion Vial). Here is where make your homologation appointment. (direct link: https://www.educacionvial.go.cr/)

A form will populate asking for basic info along with what type of license you are seeking. Most applicants will select the B1 option for license type as this covers most standard car sizes and small trucks. There are 14 different classes of DLs in Costa Rica; they are shown below with their corresponding vehicle types.

After filling out the form, you will be taken to a screen that shows COSEVI regional offices with available date and time slots. Here is where it became daunting. Because of our location in Guanacaste and the fact that we were applying at the beginning of the month, the available appointments closest to us and within our desired time frame were scarce. Appointment slots are released in the last 5 business days of the month for the following month and are by first come, first serve basis. What we saw available for the 2 locations in our vicinity were slots that were at least 2 months out. Being that he needed it sooner for job purposes, we had to choose a location closer to San Jose since they have increased availability. My husband was able to secure an appointment for 3 days later, but it required a 2.5 hr drive to their Puntarenas location. (note: for some reason when trying to select a date/time slot, the site would not let us move forward while using a mac or iphone; we ultimately had to use an android in order for the system to let us select one. It could have just been a glitch at the time.)

Step 3: Obtain Medical exam and Spanish Translation, Appointment Day

Obtain a medical exam (dictamen medico) and have the license translated into Spanish. This “2-part” step can be done before the second step or somewhere in the interim. Since it’s quicker and easier to get these tasks done, I recommend tackling step 2 first. Just make sure you have enough time to obtain these needed documents before your appointment and that they are not “expired” by the time you go.

Medical exam certificate

The medical exam must be performed by a licensed physician who is part of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Costa Rica and offers this specific service. We found one for him through a recommendation from a facebook group, but a simple google search will assist in finding options in your area as well. My husband was able to get in the same day we booked online; the cost was about $50. The exam entailed testing vision, hearing abilities, and psychosocial questions, and was done in about an hour. Upon completion, the passing results are electronically sent to COSEVI and are valid for up to 6 months. He was given a hard copy certificate which you will want to take to the appointment. 

Spanish Translation Document

The process for getting the license translated was a quick turnaround too. We googled for a translator who is officially approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto). It is imperative you have a certified translator perform this task as they will use an official stamp that will deem the document legal. We found a lawyer in Liberia who provides this service for $30. My husband simply emailed a PDF of the license and was able to pick up the translation document the next day. 

Day of the Appointment

You will now have your valid CR ID and passport, valid DL card in good physical condition, the documents from your home state proving validity, the medical exam certificate, and the Spanish translation document to take to the appointment. There are no fees for the homologation appointment. It is best to arrive 10-15 minutes early. As long as you have everything and are on time, you will be approved for the CR license. You would think …this is it! I can get my license today! ...but no… the national bank handles the fees and printing of the card itself. Fortunately, it is the step that costs the least.

Step 4: Payment and Receiving the License

Make an appointment at a designated Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) branch to make payment and receive the license. This can be done the same day after the approval. It is important to know that you cannot walk-in for this and that every BCR branch does not offer this service. This appointment must be made online at http://bcrcita.bancobcr.com. You will see drop-down menus on the home page that will direct you to selecting a branch and an appointment date and time.

Here is where it got tricky again for us. Availability was once again scarce in our region; the available slots were weeks out. We performed a search in the Alajuela region and were able to find an appointment for 5 days later. The caveat was that again, he had to drive to a branch a few hours away (which was actually close to the previous COSEVI appointment.) He did not have to present all the COSEVI documents, but it is highly recommended that you take them with you to the bank appointment just in case. The fee was 4000 CRC plus a 2000 CRC bank fee (which translates to about $13). Remember to arrive at least 10 min early to ensure you don’t lose your spot, especially if you made a long drive! Your new Costa Rican driver’s license will then be printed and handed to you after payment. (:

As you can see the cost wasn’t the headache (under $100); it was navigating the process that was so tedious. A lot of research and traveling went into getting it done in a timely manner. Several people from online groups gave recommendations and shared their experiences that helped us a lot too; I’m paying it forward! Here are some FAQ surrounding driving in Costa that I didn’t specifically cover in my steps:

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I drive in Costa Rica with my U.S. license as a tourist? Yes. Tourists can drive in Costa Rica using a valid U.S. driver’s license along with a valid passport and legal entry stamp for the length of your authorized stay.

• What if my drivers license is expired? Your license must be current and in good standing to be able to apply for a CR license. Therefore, you will have to reconcile it with your home state (or country) before homologation.

• Do I have to take a written or driving test in Costa Rica? Generally, no. So long as your license is valid and can be verified with documentation, testing is not required.

• Do I need a lawyer for homologation? Legal services are optional but not required. Some people choose to use a lawyer, facilitator, or specialized service for these possible reasons: not fluent in Spanish, complicated immigration status, or simply want/need assistance with navigating the process.

I hope sharing our experience helps anyone facing challenges going through this process. There will always be plenty of established residents in your community that are willing to offer helpful advice; don’t hesitate to reach out to them (or me!) I’m including a shortened, downloadable PDF guide with checklist that you can save to help you stay organized.

Printable PDF File

Good luck to all and thanks for reading!

By: Kim Soto (sotofam.cr@gmail.com)