Those eligible to get a foreign driver’s license validated in Costa Rica can do so at any of the COSEVI’s 13 regional offices, said the Ministry of Transportation and Public works in a press release.

Regional offices of the Road Safety and Education Council (COSEVI) are taking such applications on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 – 11 a.m. A list of the regional offices and phone numbers can be found here.

The ministry urged foreigners throughout the country to use the services at their nearest regional branch in order to receive quicker service, as the main La Uruca, San José office can sometimes be crowded.

The service has been offered at regional branches since January as part of a effort to decentralize services, but COSEVI has observed foreigners still making the trek into San José for the paperwork as they are unaware the service is available closer to them.

The agency has offices in Heredia, Cartago, Nicoya, Liberia, Rio Claro, Puntarenas, San Carlos, Alajuela, San Ramón, Pérez Zeledón, Guápiles, and Limón in addition to the main San José – La Uruca locale, said transportation officials.

COSEVI officials explained that to get a license from one’s home country or a license from one’s previous country of residence validated the following criteria must be fulfilled:

• At least three months living in Costa Rica
• Foreign license must be valid (not expired)
• Possession of legal residence and have a valid legal residency card, or be a citizen of Costa Rica.

If all requirements are met, the person must present a driver’s license medical exam, and pay 5,ooo colones. No appointment is required for the application. The foreign license will be validated for its equivalent in Costa Rica, allowing holders to drive the same vehicles they were eligible to drive with their foreign license.

More info can be found at this link.