Anything & Everything Costa Rica

Here’s what you need to do to get your points back

QCOSTARICA — Traffic infractions in Costa Rica not only cost the drivers out of pocket (financial penalties) but also points on their driver’s license.

Here is a very straightforward question: How is the driving in Costa Rica? Do we drive well or badly?

The number of traffic accidents could indicate the answer.

– Advertisement –

In Costa Rica, the process to become a driver begins with the theoretical exam, then the road test; but when serious infractions are committed, drivers must return to the classroom. Literally.

When you get a driver’s license for the first time (for three years), you get 6 points that you must take care of as a novice; On renewal of the license (for six years), if you have had a clean driving record, you have 12 points available.

But there are a series of infractions that will make you lose 6 points at once and come with a fine of  ¢364,000 colones:

  • Drunk driving
  • Driving at more than 120 km/h
  • Driving with an expired license.
  • Overtaking on curves, intersections or bridges
  • Crossing a solid line
  • Making a U-turn
  • Excessive (vehicle) noise.
  • Refusing to take a breathalyzer test

If you lose 6 points, you have to take a one-week course in Educación Vial (Traffic Education), take the test, and pass with a 70, but there is another option: community service. Here the driver chooses an organization to complete a minimum number of hours, in this way they manage to recover their points and can renew their driver’s license.

Note, if you are a first-time driver and have not renewed your license on expiry (bringing your total points to 12), if stopped by a traffic official (Transito) will result in a loss of 6 points, your expired license will be immediately confiscated and you will be unable to drive for a year.

– Advertisement –

Source link

Rico

PlethoraCR