Bill No. 23531 aims to amend Article 91 of the Traffic Law, addressing the validity and privileges associated with foreign driver’s licenses. This Bill has garnered support from the Ministry of Tourism, as well as the expat community.
Article 91 has long posed challenges for expatriates, imposing a three-month limit on driving privileges based on foreign licenses, regardless of the authorized length of stay. The proposed reform aims to modernize this limitation, allowing foreigners to drive vehicles corresponding to the categories of their foreign licenses throughout the authorized period of their stay in Costa Rica. Additionally, the bill will officially recognize digital driver’s licenses if issued by the country of origin.
Visitors from countries, who are non-residents, with tourist visas of up to 90 days will be able to drive legally throughout the period of their stay. Similarly, tourists from countries with the new 180-day tourist visa will enjoy driving privileges for the same period, eliminating the need for a cross-border exit on day 90.
Although residents will still need to homologate their foreign driver’s license, the stipulation of an uninterrupted minimum stay of 90 days in Costa Rica will be removed. Those awaiting the resolution of their case at the DGME can continue to use their foreign driver’s license until they receive the final resolution without the need to leave the country.
Keep your fingers crossed that the law will be approved, according to the 2023 State Report, the government has maintained an unusual legislative inactivity, promoting few bills. Additionally, the success rate of the few initiatives presented during the extraordinary sessions of the first legislature is the second lowest in thirty years: out of 231 summoned bills, only 29 were approved. Meanwhile, the Legislative Assembly approved 98 laws, the fourth lowest figure in the first twelve months of government of the last administrations, and the average deadlines for the approval of a bill increased to 597 days. These and other indicators suggest a return to deadlock in Congress without the government actively seeking collaborative relations with the Legislature.
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Written by Edward Gudeman, Attorney and Notary
