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Published: October 7th 2008
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I promise to go into the how-to's for obtaining a drivers license in Costa Rica, but first I must detail part of the experience so those that follow in my footsteps can see some light at the end of the tunnel while sitting through the process.
Disclaimer: In my many visits and dealings with Costa Rica government offices such as the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (Immigration), the Ministra de Relaciones Exteriores de Costa Rica (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chicago Consulate, Chicago Consul General), Registro Civil (Civil Registry) within the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, etc., etc. - I have always found Costa Rica government employees to be courteous and helpful. Maybe this is why I was lulled into a false sense of thinking all Costa Rica government offices where so nice to deal with. So, for the record: I feel that the Costa Rica Road Security Council or Consejo de Seguridad Vial (COSEVI) and other employees on the COSEVI campus are the exception and not the rule for government workers with attitudes.
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Without question, I had been looking forward to getting my first form of official Costa Rica identification as it would make me feel
more a part of my new home. However, interacting with the Costa Rica drivers license issuing Consejo de Seguridad Vial or COSEVI employees made it somewhat difficult to maintain my enthusiasm. As a former U.S. state and county government employee I should have recognized the situation from a distance, but I will admit I was a little slow on seeing what was going on around me as I tried to navigate my way toward a successful driver's license. What I'm talking about is the fact that the Costa Rica COSEVI government employees are just not happy people ... and you better be careful, because I think it's contagious! Even the on-site Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) teller seemed to have swallowed a s#*t sandwich for lunch as he stared at me because I made the really stupid mistake of thinking I could pay my drivers license fees with my bank debit card at of all places; A BANK (just like I have done numerous times at the BCR branch at Immigration).
I was sent upstairs to the "Jefe" or 'boss' twice, to the bank twice, to the processing clerk three times and finally to the license issuing clerk. I was told to sit down three different times by three different COSEVI employees when I tried to stand between seat-shifts in their game of musical chairs they insist you play. Finally my worst fears where confirmed - when I had completed all that was asked of me and I was finally sitting down in front of the camera, mere seconds away from getting my gringo face on a Costa Rica drivers license ... I was literally reprimanded for 'smiling'.
Yes you read that right, the COSEVI camera operator actually stopped the process of taking my picture and instructed me in clear English: "do not smile". Just in case I misunderstood, I repeated back his own words in the form of a question: "Do not smile?!" The COSEVI employee confirmed; "We do not smile in my country". I asked why not and he replied, "We are not happy in Costa Rica". You just can't make this stuff up and I met another American today at the Immigration office that had the exact same experience - we think it was the same COSEVI employee that obviously means it when he says ' is not happy'!
Being told I could not smile for a picture only made me smile, because this guy was the poster child for why I got out of government employment years ago ... and apparently it's a universally miserable fricking situation mostly due to the fact that everybody from the administration on down loath the bureaucracy that is so much a part of their own self worth. So I told the clerk, "I am happy to be in Costa Rica" and he mumbled something about "Americanos" to another native Costa Rican that was behind me in line. But I refused to be brought down and even joked my way into getting a smile from the clerk before leaving. Hopefully, I too am contagious.
How to get a Drivers License in Costa Rica.
If you have a current/valid drivers license issued from any U.S. state or many other countries and have not exceeded your 90 day tourist stay ... you can get a Costa Rica drivers license. If you are already a resident of Costa Rica, you don't need to worry about any time limits because you are no longer a tourist.
It's pretty much that simple for qualifying. Now all you have to do is go get the drivers license.
Where to go:
In order to get your first Costa Rica drivers license you must go to the main Consejo de Seguridad Vial or COSEVI office campus in La Uruca (506-2257-7200, www.csv.go.cr):
Directions: La Uruca is Northwest of downtown San Jose towards the Juan Santamaria International Airport and Southeast of the Immigration offices. The COSEVI office campus is just West of the Mercedes-Benz dealership and the Banco Nacional branch - several kilometers East of Burger King and the Mazda/Kia dealership. The reddish colored COSEVI office can be seen from the road, but if you are driving and need to park, turn down the first street to the West of building. It's a south only turn at a large Bridgestone/Mobile service station, across the street from a Yamaha dealership. Go down the hill until you see the guard shack and entrance on the left or the East side of the road. If you still need a medical exam, before entering the COSEVI campus park your car past the entrance and obtain your medical exam at the open air doctor's post for ¢10.000,00 colónes ($20.00).
What to bring:
1. Passport (original for review)
2. Passport copies
* Copy of main passport page with picture and vitals.
* Copy of passport page showing last date of entry stamp (if not a resident, cannot exceed 90 days)
3. Current Drivers License (original from issuing U.S. state or other country)
4. Drivers License copy
5. Medical Exam (original document specifically completed for obtaining a Costa Rica drivers license)
* Easily obtain the medical exam just south of the COSEVI complex entrance for ¢10.000 colónes.
* My exam consisted of a passport review, a couple questions and a blood pressure reading - nothing more.
6. Cash (if you try to use a bank debit card at the COSEVI bank 'branch', the BCR teller with the attitude just stares at you because you're obviously really stupid)
* ¢10.000,00 colónes for doctor's medical exam.
* ¢ 4.000,00 colónes for each class of license (ie: ¢8.000,00 for both an automobile and motorcycle license)
When to go:
Avoiding long lines is the key to true sanity when faced with the passive-aggressive environment that is the COSEVI offices.
As with many other basic Costa Rica how-to issues, I consulted with Roy Nicholas (www.CostaRicaProblemSolvers.com, 506-8381-1816, HolisticCR@yahoo.com) prior to setting out on my driver's license adventure. Nick suggested we go on a Wednesday shortly after noon ... after any morning rush while allowing enough time prior to closing. Without being able to compare this with other days and times, I can tell you that there were no lines to speak of anywhere during the process. The doctor attended to me without any wait, I was able to walk right up to the COSEVI campus Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) teller window on two different occasions and the wait to see a COSEVI clerk and get my actual drivers license was less than ten minutes each time I was directed back around. So I'm going to suggest the midweek shortly after-noon time slot for anybody that reads this blog seeking real-time direction.
What you get:
You will get one or more of these attached licenses depending on how many different types of motorized wheels you want to drive in Costa Rica.
Now that I'm licensed, I will see you on the number one competitive driving course in Central America ... aka: the Avenidas and Calles of Costa Rica ;o)
( ¡Pura Vida! )
o
o
o @..@
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o0..0o
*** I just realized, even my Costa Rica signature frog isn't smiling - I'll have to work on that!***
For information on related subjects, be sure to visit: www.CostaRicaBlogger.com
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Jerónimo Bollen
non-member comment
Do not go in the afternoon
I got my license last week (7/2/09) and, based on the information above, I went just after 12pm... just to be sent back home to come back the next day! Since a few days (weeks?), rules have changed and they only attend foreign licenses BEFORE 12pm!! Make sure to get there on time; probably if you get there at 11:30am or 11:45am they won't even attend you. Also, you HAVE TO bring an official document which states your blood type. If you don't have it in writing, you will be required to do a blood test (if your original license does state your blood type, that should be enough. Mine doesn't state my blood type; the exam costed me another C5,000).