Land Traffic and Road Safety LawLey de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial

This law regulates the movement, on land-based public roads, of vehicles and persons involved in the traffic system. It also regulates the movement of vehicles at gas stations, in public parking lots, private parking lots for public use, or commercial parking lots regulated by the State, on beaches, and on private roads, in accordance with Article 207 of this law.

Excluded are private parking areas of dwelling houses and of buildings, public or private, that are intended solely for the internal users of such buildings, where the internal regulations of such establishments shall prevail.

Similarly, it regulates everything related to road safety, its financing, the payment of taxes, fines, traffic fees, and matters concerning the ownership regime of motor vehicles, protected by the National Registry, with the exception of the railway traffic regime and the traffic of livestock on public roads. In these last two cases, the interested party must assert their rights in the corresponding civil process.

For the interpretation of this law and its regulations, the following shall have the character of definitions:

1. Traffic accident (accidente de tránsito): negligent act committed by vehicle drivers, their passengers, or pedestrians, while traveling in the places referred to in Article 1 of this law. A traffic accident must involve at least one vehicle and result in the death or injury of persons and/or property damage as a result of the violation of this law.

2. Sidewalk (acera): road intended for pedestrian traffic.

3. Alcohol testing (alcoholimetría): biochemical analysis to determine the presence of alcohol in the blood or exhaled air and its quantity.

4. Blood alcohol level (alcoholemia): the result of alcohol testing.

5. Advertisement (anuncio): writing, print, painting, emblem, drawing, or other informative medium, located on private property, whose purpose is commercial advertising or to draw attention to a product, article, trademark, commercial activity, business, service, recreational activity, profession, or home-based occupation, offered, sold, or provided at a site other than the one where such advertisement appears.

6. Informative sign (anuncio informativo): informative medium located within the right-of-way, whose purpose is to inform the road user about services, activities, and tourist destinations or other nature provided at a site other than the one where such sign appears.

7. Bus (autobús): motor vehicle intended for the mass transportation of persons with a capacity for more than forty-four seated passengers, regardless of the standing passengers it can transport. Also, considered as such shall be motor vehicles, articulated or not, with a purpose, design, and dimensions similar to that described above, which even with a seated passenger capacity lower than that indicated have been specially designed for the comfortable and safe transportation of high densities of standing passengers, such that by their adjustment to the prevailing public transport and energy policies on regular routes they are qualified as such by regulation issued by the Executive Branch.

8. Automobile (automóvil): motor vehicle intended for the transportation of persons, with a maximum capacity of up to eight passengers, according to its design.

9. Expressway (autopista): restricted-access road with four or more traffic lanes, whether or not it has a central dividing island.

10. Notice (aviso): element of general interest, without commercial advertising purposes.

11. Public transport stop bay (bahía de parada de transporte público): space duly authorized as such and complementary to the road structure, used as a transition zone between the roadway (calzada) and the platform, temporarily intended for the boarding and alighting of passengers, for public transport vehicles on regular routes.

12. Bicycle (bicicleta): vehicle with two or more wheels propelled by human or assisted traction and operated by pedals. In its electrically-assisted version, the maximum speed of the pedal-assist mechanism, on a flat surface, does not exceed 25 km/h and must also be pedaled to move forward.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 1 of Law No. 10651 of March 10, 2025, "Amendment to the Land-Based Public Roads Traffic and Road Safety Law, Cycling Mobility and Safety Law, for the expansion of the bicycle concept")

13. Moped (bicimoto): two-wheeled vehicle with a thermal engine of cylinder capacity not exceeding 50 cc or, in the case of vehicles with engines other than internal combustion engines, with a power of up to 5 kW, whose steering system is operated by handlebars.

14. Citation ticket (boleta de citación): form by which a person is notified, physically or electronically, of the infraction attributed to them and is summoned to appear before the competent authority.

15. Midibus (buseta): motor vehicle dedicated to the transportation of persons with a capacity of between twenty-six and forty-four seated passengers.

16. Decal (calcomanía): adhesive label of variable size used for distinctive and/or control purposes for vehicle circulation.

17. Roadway (calzada): surface of the road on which vehicles travel and which is composed of one or more traffic lanes. It does not include the shoulder (espaldón).

18. Local streets (calles locales): public roads included within the quadrant of an urban area that are not classified as urban traverses of the national road network.

19. Unclassified roads (caminos no clasificados): public roads such as bridle paths, footpaths, trails, and tracks that provide access to very few users, who will bear their maintenance and improvement costs. The categories of neighborhood roads (caminos vecinales) and local streets are not included.

20. Neighborhood roads (caminos vecinales): public roads that provide direct access to farms and other rural economic units, connect hamlets and villages to the national road network, and are characterized by having low traffic volumes and a high proportion of short-distance local trips.

21. Basic vehicle characteristics (características básicas del vehículo): make, style, model, category, serial or chassis number, vehicle identification number (VIN), model year, body type, capacity, net and gross weight, color, engine number, fuel type, cylinder capacity, power, and license plate number.

22. Restricted-access highway (carretera de acceso restringido): highway to which, by provision of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), vehicle and pedestrian access or exit is only permitted at certain intersections with other public roads. Roads in which it is determined that, for capacity or safety reasons, it is convenient to limit vehicle access or exit shall be classified as such.

23. Primary highways (carreteras primarias): network of trunk routes to serve road corridors and characterized by having relatively high traffic volumes and a high proportion of international, interprovincial, or long-distance trips.

24. Secondary highways (carreteras secundarias): non-primary routes that connect important canton capitals or other centers of population, production, or tourism that generate a considerable number of interregional or inter-cantonal trips.

25. Tertiary highways (carreteras terciarias): routes that collect traffic from primary and secondary highways and constitute the main roads for trips made within a region or between important districts.

26. Traffic lane (carril de circulación): part of the roadway intended for traffic in a single direction, the width of which shall be established by regulation.

27. Central left-turn lane (carril central de giro a la izquierda): the central left-turn lane is marked with a continuous outer line and discontinuous inner lines. It is used in the central strip of urban public roads with four or more lanes. It is a refuge area that allows drivers to perform left-turn maneuvers, from a secondary road or onto a secondary road, without interrupting the free flow of traffic.

28. Cylinder capacity (cilindrada): volumetric capacity of an engine's cylinder or cylinders expressed in cubic centimeters (cm3) or liters (lts), usually used as C.C. and L, respectively.

29. Vehicle technical inspection centers (centros de inspección técnica vehicular, CIVE): state or private entity intended for the technical-mechanical inspection of motor vehicles and the review of emissions control.

30. Cyclist (ciclista): person who drives a bicycle or its passenger.

31. Bike lane (ciclovía): road or section of the roadway intended exclusively for the traffic of bicycles, non-motorized tricycles, and pedestrians (the latter only when there are no sidewalks), the width of which shall be established by regulation.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by subsection a) of Article 17 of the Cycling Mobility and Safety Law, No. 9660 of February 24, 2019) 32. Driver (conductor): person who has operational control of a vehicle and is directly responsible for it and for the infractions committed.

33. Novice driver (conductor novato): any person who acquires their driver's license (licencia de conducir) for the first time and who does not exceed three years since obtaining it. Professional drivers are excluded.

34. Professional driver (conductor profesional): any person whose main work activity is driving motor vehicles dedicated to the transport of goods or persons and who has been accredited with a type B-3, B-4, C, D, or E license. Also considered a professional driver is one who has been accredited with a type A-2, A-3, B-1, or B-2 license, and who has requested, at the time of its issuance, the P (professional) endorsement.

35. Environmental pollutants (contaminantes ambientales): gases, particles, or noise produced by a motor vehicle.

36. CTP: Public Transport Council (Consejo de Transporte Público).

37. Cosevi: Road Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Vial).

38. Wheel chock (cuña): piece of metal, wood, or any other suitable material used to chock vehicles and thus ensure their immobility.

39. Horizontal curve (curva horizontal): circular curve connecting the straight sections of a highway in the horizontal plane.

40. Vertical curve (curva vertical): parabolic curve connecting the straight lines representing the slope profile.

41. Sketch (croquis): descriptive document of the details of a traffic accident drawn up at the scene of the events by the competent traffic authority.

42. Decibel (decibelio or decibel): unit of measure used to determine the intensity of a sound.

43. Right-of-way (derecho de vía): right pertaining to a strip of land of public domain nature and intended for the construction of road works for vehicle circulation or pedestrian traffic, or other works related to safety, beautification, road nomenclature, informative signs for services, activities, and tourist destinations, as well as for the installation of public transport vehicle stops or bus shelters.

44. Circulation right (derecho de circulación): right obtained after paying the amounts established by law for vehicle circulation, during a specific period.

45. Electronic road address (dirección electrónica vial, DEV): electronic address provided to Cosevi by every driver or owner of a vehicle, or that which has been assigned to them, at which notifications of proceedings related to the application of this law will be sent.

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 8481 of June 11, 2014, the word "obligatorily" in the preceding subsection was annulled)

46. Official traffic control device (dispositivo oficial de control de tránsito): signal or notice that those traveling on public roads must obey, in accordance with legal provisions.

47. Special equipment (equipo especial): self-propelled equipment intended for carrying out agricultural, civil engineering, and forestry or airport emergency tasks.

48. Shoulder (espaldón or hombro): area adjacent to both sides of the roadway whose purpose is to provide lateral support to the pavement, serve for pedestrian traffic, and provide space for traffic emergencies and occasional vehicle parking.

49. Parking lot, parking (estacionamiento, parqueo or aparcamiento): public or private place intended for the temporary parking of vehicles.

50. Parking meter (estacionómetro or parquímetro): device by which the fee allowing temporary vehicle parking on a public road intended for that purpose is recorded and collected.

51. To park (estacionar, aparcar or parquear): to place a vehicle in a specific place and keep it without moving forward or backward.

52. Lambda factor (λ) (factor lambda): proportion existing between the air/fuel ratio at which the engine is working and the theoretical air/fuel ratio at which it should work for combustion to be complete.

53. Greater Metropolitan Area (Gran Área Metropolitana, GAM): area defined as such by the corresponding executive decree.

54. Tow truck (grúa): motor vehicle specially adapted or designed for the transfer and towing of vehicles from one place to another, whether by dragging or lifting.

55. Infractor (infractor): person who violates the provisions of this law.

56. Vehicle immobilization (inmovilización de un vehículo): act that prevents the free movement of a vehicle by removing it or its license plates.

57. Vehicle technical inspection (inspección técnica vehicular, IVE): test by which the technical-mechanical conditions and emissions control of motor vehicles are verified.

58. Measuring instruments (instrumentos de medición): equipment specially designed to determine or verify the margin of acceptability and safety of the object to be measured.

59. Intersection (intersección): point on a public road where two or more roads converge and where vehicles can turn or maintain the direction of their trajectory.

60. Signboard (letrero): any substrate, material, and/or element on which there are inscriptions or figures exhibited for communication purposes and of common or general interest.

61. Driver's license (licencia de conducir): permit granted by the State through which a person is authorized to drive a vehicle for a specified period.

62. Line (línea): public transport service provided on a specific route.

63. Barrier line (línea de barrera): line dividing the roadway at its center, whether a continuous white line, a yellow line, or a double yellow line, which indicates that it is prohibited to drive, overtake, or make U-turns or maneuvers to the left of that line.

64. Yellow line (línea amarilla): horizontal marking painted with yellow color on the pavement, used to separate traffic flows in opposite directions, on left edge lines separated by medians, and on some channelizing islands. It can be a fragmented or continuous line. When marked on the curb edge, on local streets, it indicates the prohibition of parking on that section of the road. In case of ambiguity in the marking, what the fixed vertical signal indicates shall prevail, in accordance with what is indicated by the Central American Agreement on Uniform Road Signs.

65. White line (línea blanca): horizontal marking painted with white color on the pavement, used to separate traffic flows in the same direction, on edge lines on two-way highways, on right edge lines on highways separated by a median, and on some channelizing islands. It can be a fragmented or continuous line, all in accordance with what is indicated by the Central American Agreement on Uniform Road Signs.

66. Brake lights (luces de freno): those emitted by red light projecting devices when the brake pedal is pressed.

67. Directional lights (luces direccionales): those emitted by a red or orange light projecting device, located both at the front and rear of the vehicle, intermittently, indicating the direction to be taken.

68. Fog lights (luces para neblina): those intended to increase road illumination in case of fog, heavy rain, dust clouds, or other adverse environmental conditions.

69. High beam (luz alta): the light emitted forward by a vehicle's main headlamps to obtain long-range road illumination.

70. Low beam (luz baja): the light emitted forward by a vehicle's main headlamps to illuminate the road at a short distance, without causing glare or discomfort to other drivers or road users coming in the opposite direction.

71. Minibus (microbús): motor vehicle intended for the transportation of persons, whose seated passenger capacity ranges between nine and twenty-five persons.

72. Motorcycle (motocicleta): motor vehicle with two or more wheels, with a thermal engine of cylinder capacity greater than 50 cc or with a power exceeding 5 kW, whose steering system is operated by handlebars.

73. Fixed fine (multa fija): administrative penalty for violation of this law, expressed as payment of the sum established in each case.

74. Constructive nature (naturaleza constructiva): adaptation to international standards in the design, production, and marketing of vehicles by manufacturing companies. In no case may it contradict the technical and safety requirements of this law.

75. Traffic officer (oficial de tránsito): official appointed in accordance with the law, vested with authority by the Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito.

76. Opacity (opacidad): state in which a material partially or totally prevents the passage of light rays, thereby causing a lack of visibility for the observer.

77. License plate (placa de matrícula): public document issued by the National Registry, which externally identifies a vehicle.

78. Windshield (parabrisas): front transparent glass of a motor vehicle.

79. Official report (parte oficial): document by which the competent authority reports on a traffic accident.

80. Passenger (pasajero): any person other than the driver who occupies a place within a vehicle.

81. Toll (peaje): amount charged to the user for traveling with a vehicle on a specific section of a public road.

82. Natural landscape (paisaje natural): environment unmodified or scarcely modified by humans and characterized by having different ecosystems and being devoid of constructions or buildings of any kind, which are not the result of the interaction between various geographical agents such as the lithosphere, atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere.

83. Urban landscape (paisaje urbano): environment resulting from population growth and the formation of large cities, characterized by a configuration determined by its buildings, mainly commercial centers and service buildings, its housing development, vehicles in transit, notices, signboards, advertisements, public lighting, and other distinctive elements.

84. Interurban landscape (paisaje interurbano): environment that shows human development, both in construction, housing, and growing supply of services and commercial activities, but without presenting all the characteristics of an urban landscape.

85. Rural landscape (paisaje rural): non-urbanized or very low urbanization environment intended for agricultural, agro-industrial, extractive, forestry, or other agrarian activities.

86. Pedestrian (peatón): any person who travels on foot.

87. Total loss (pérdida total): structural damage or damage to the systems of a motor vehicle, which prevents its circulation for reasons of legal or road safety.

88. Temporary learner's permit (permiso temporal de aprendizaje): document issued, on a temporary basis, to learn to drive motor vehicles and which is subject to compliance with the provisions.

89. Gross weight (peso bruto): total vehicle weight resulting from adding its empty weight according to factory specifications, plus the weight of the useful load it can transport according to the same specifications.

90. Maximum authorized weight (peso máximo autorizado, PMA): maximum weight authorized for a specific vehicle, according to its design and in accordance with what the respective regulation establishes.

91. "Pick up": light duty cargo vehicle with a front engine and which at the rear has a metal or other material open box or bed, used especially for cargo transport.

92. Weight and dimension plate (plaqueta de pesos y dimensiones): plate that identifies light trailers and semi-trailers of less than 750 kilograms. It shall have the characteristics and information determined by regulation.

93. Mirror-type tint (polarizado tipo espejo): material or substance that, seen from the outside, causes the effect of reflecting the image and not allowing visibility into the interior of the vehicle.

94. Limousine-type tint (polarizado tipo limusina): material or substance that, seen from the outside, presents absolute opacity and does not allow visibility into the interior of the vehicle.

95. Reaccreditation (reacreditación): process by which a driver, whose license has lost validity due to the application of points, is granted a new license.

96. Cantonal road network (red vial cantonal): set of neighborhood roads, local streets, and unclassified roads that are not part of the national road network, according to provision of the MOPT. Its administration and maintenance corresponds to the municipalities.

97. National road network (red vial nacional): set of primary, secondary, and tertiary highways whose constitution, maintenance, and administration correspond to the MOPT.

98. Vehicle technical reinspection (reinspección técnica vehicular): test by which the technical-mechanical conditions and emissions control of motor vehicles that did not pass the IVE are verified.

99. Light trailer (remolque liviano): vehicle without its own traction, whose PMA does not exceed 750 kg.

100. Heavy trailer or semi-trailer (remolque or semirremolque pesado): vehicle without its own traction, whose PMA exceeds 750 kg.

101. Rolling (rodamiento): circulation or movement of vehicles on public roads.

102. Sign (rótulo): writing, print, painting, emblem, drawing, or other informative medium, located on private property, whose purpose is commercial advertising or to draw attention to a product, article, trademark, commercial activity, business, service, recreational activity, profession, or home-based occupation, offered, sold, or carried out at the same site where said element is located.

103. Route (ruta): journey traveled, between two points called terminals, by public passenger transport vehicles that have been authorized by the Public Transport Council, solely in the modalities of midibus and bus.

104. Active safety (seguridad activa): set of mechanisms or devices intended to prevent the vehicle from suffering an accident or to decrease the risk of one occurring.

105. Passive safety (seguridad pasiva): set of accessories, mechanisms, or devices that, in the event of an accident, is intended to protect the physical integrity of the vehicle's occupants or to minimize the possible injuries they could suffer.

106. Traffic light (semáforo): device that through several optical units alternatively assigns the right-of-way to each movement or group of movements converging at an intersection. It can be operated manually or automatically.

107. Semi-trailer (semirremolque): vehicle without its own traction built to be coupled to a truck tractor by means of an articulation as a coupling link, in such a way that a substantial part of its weight and its load partially rests on it. The load may or may not be integrated into the semi-trailer.

108. Horizontal signal (señal horizontal): yellow or white paint marking that is applied on the rolling surface to regulate vehicle movement.

109. Vertical signal (señal vertical): traffic device that is fixed to the ground and placed vertically to inform, regulate, or warn users.

110. Special service (servicio especial): that which is provided temporarily within the operation of remunerated motor transport of persons, with buses, midibuses, and minibuses, without having a fixed itinerary and which is contracted per trip, per time, or both, is not performed on an established line, and must have prior authorization from the Public Transport Council.

111. Stable taxi special service (servicio especial estable de taxi): public service of remunerated transport of persons aimed at a closed group of users and which satisfies a limited, residual, exclusive, and stable demand.

112. Child restraint system (sistema de retención infantil): implements or devices that fulfill the function of protecting the safety of minors, on any type of trip taken and regardless of the distance traveled.

113. Traffic system (sistema de tránsito): set of public or private highways, streets, pedestrian crossing zones, and other areas where vehicles and pedestrians move, in accordance with Article 1 of this law.

114. Tire wear indicator (testigo de llanta): elevation within the water channels of a tire by which its wear is visualized.

115. Taxi: motor vehicle intended for the remunerated transport of persons, whose regime is regulated by Law No. 7969, Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad de Taxi, of December 22, 1999, and its amendments.

116. Taximeter (taxímetro): mechanical, electronic, or mixed instrument, used in taxis to determine the price of the service provided and indicate, in a visible and sealed location, the sum that the user must pay according to a pre-established base fare.

117. To transit (transitar): transfer, movement, or displacement of persons, vehicles, goods, cargo, or livestock on public roads.

118. Limited load transport or cargo taxi (transporte de carga limitada or taxi carga): public cargo transport service carried out by means of authorized cargo vehicles, to which a fare established by law is applicable.

119. Public tow truck transport or tow taxi (transporte público de grúa or taxi grúa): public tow truck transport service carried out by means of tow truck vehicles, to which a fare established by law is applicable.

120. Public passenger transport (transporte público de personas): public passenger transfer service carried out by means of buses, midibuses, minibuses, taxis, or other authorized vehicles, to which a fare or price established according to the legal system is applicable.

121. UTV: all-terrain utility vehicle of the "side by side" type with four or more wheels, known as mules, with braking, acceleration, and handlebar system.

122. Vehicle (vehículo): means of transportation used to transfer persons or goods on public roads.

123. Abandoned vehicle (vehículo abandonado): vehicle left on a public road for a period of more than twenty-four hours.

124. Articulated vehicle (vehículo articulado): vehicle composed of a tractor unit and one or two semi-trailers that are towed by the former, joined by an articulation that, besides linking them, allows the transmission of load.

125. Motor vehicle (vehículo automotor): land transport vehicle with its own propulsion on two or more wheels and that does not travel on rails. Special equipment is excepted from this definition.

126. Light cargo vehicle (vehículo de carga liviana): motor vehicle designed and used for cargo transport, whose maximum authorized weight is less than eight tons.

127. Heavy cargo vehicle (vehículo de carga pesada): motor vehicle designed and used for cargo transport, whose maximum authorized weight is at least eight tons.

128. Slow-moving vehicle (vehículo de tránsito lento): one that, in a given place and time, moves at a speed lower than the normal speed of the rest of the traffic flow. When the traffic flow is on ascending slopes, all vehicles circulating at crawl speed (velocidad de arrastre) shall be considered slow-moving.

129. Authorized emergency vehicles (vehículos de emergencia autorizados): fire-fighting, police vehicles, ambulances, and others that meet the corresponding regulatory conditions.

130. Crawl speed (velocidad de arrastre): constant speed at which motor vehicles advance on an ascending slope, once they have exhausted their acceleration capacity.

131. Rustic vehicle: a motor vehicle specially constructed to travel in rural zones, on unclassified or hard-to-access roads, for which it has front and rear traction, and a minimum gross weight of five hundred kilograms.

132. Roadway: street, road, or highway on which vehicles travel.

133. Exclusive roadway: a roadway intended only for the transit of vehicles dedicated to a specific activity.

134. Public roadway: any roadway on which there is free circulation.

135. To turn: to change the direction of the vehicle in its trajectory.

136. Visor strip: an upper strip placed on a vehicle's windshield that presents a greater darkening than the rest of it.

137. Crossing zone: a zone of a public roadway demarcated for pedestrian crossing.

138. Safety zone: a crossing zone regulated by traffic lights that, alternately, permits the passage of pedestrians and vehicles.

139. Loading and unloading zone: a space on a public roadway intended exclusively for the loading and unloading of goods from motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers.

(Thus added the previous subsection by Article 2 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

(Sinalevi Note: By means of Article 1 of Law No. 10834 of December 15, 2025, the following definitions of this numeral will be added. In accordance with Article 2 of the aforementioned law, it will come into effect twelve months after publication in the official gazette La Gaceta, that is, on December 20, 2026, therefore, as of that date the definitions will read as follows:

Mobility: the action of moving from one place to another.

Active mobility: the use of any non-motorized means of transportation to move from one place to another, additional to pedestrian mobility, such as scooters, bicycles, wheelchairs, skates, among others.

Road safety: the discipline that studies and applies the actions and mechanisms aimed at the proper functioning of circulation on public roadways, preventing traffic accidents.

") (Sinalevi Note: By means of Article 1 of the Law to improve the effectiveness of legislation on alcohol and drug control in driving, No. 10860 of February 27, 2026, two new definitions will be added to this numeral. In accordance with Transitory Provision III of the aforementioned law, it will come into effect twelve months after its publication, that is, on March 28, 2027, therefore, as of that date the new definitions will be as follows:

47. Illicit drugs: any illicit psychoactive substance, which introduced into the body, by any route of administration, acts upon and affects the nervous system, generating alterations in mental processes and in the functions that regulate thoughts, emotions, behaviors, consciousness, mood, reflexes, reaction capacity and time, information processing, perceptual-motor coordination, and attention, excluding those substances used under medical prescription.

( ... )

72. Psychoactive metabolite: any substance or molecule resulting from the metabolization process of psychoactive substances in the human body that retains its psychoactive effects as an intermediate or final product, and that has psychoactivity. For the purposes of this law, metabolites of psychoactive substances used under medical prescription are excluded.

( ... ).

")

The enforcement of this law corresponds to MOPT through its bodies, without prejudice to the competencies that this law assigns to other entities or bodies. Likewise, MOPT may enter into cooperation agreements and strategic alliances with other authorities for the fulfillment of its institutional objectives; to this end, it may transfer the resources that enable its execution in strict compliance with the law.

To legally circulate on public land roadways, vehicles must carry the following documentary requirements, which may be demanded by traffic authorities at any time:

• a)The title of ownership or certificate of ownership or suitable duly authenticated document, which accredits the registration in the National Registry. Excepted from this requirement are vehicles that are not registrable in accordance with the special regulations on registry matters, vehicles registered abroad that temporarily enter the country, subject to compliance with the requirements established in this law, and those established by regulation.
• b)Proof of right of circulation and of the vehicle inspection (IVE). Additionally, they must display on the front windshield or in another visible place, according to the constructive nature of the vehicle, the decal or proof of the IVE, the circulation permit, and the identification device from the National Registry.
• c)The certificate or document that accredits the validity of the mandatory automobile insurance.
• d)The license plate or plates. MOPT will establish by regulation the number of plates that each type of vehicle must carry and the visible place where they must be placed.

Excepted from this rule are trailers weighing less than 750 kilograms of maximum authorized weight (PMA).

• e)Any special circulation permit that is required, in accordance with the provisions of this law.

The importation for registration of vehicles that:

• a)Have been declared a total loss.
• b)Present unauthorized structural chassis joints.
• c)Have had their identification number, VIN, or chassis tampered with.
• d)Have been removed from circulation in their country of export.
• e)Fail to comply with the general requirement for circulation, established in subsection d) of article 32, regarding the location of the steering wheel.

The importer of vehicles entering for the first time, registered in their country of origin, must provide, during the nationalization process, the title of ownership and a notarized sworn statement indicating that the vehicle is not under any of the circumstances indicated in the previous subsections and the number of kilometers or miles it has traveled.

The Executive Branch, through its competent body, will implement the necessary measures to verify compliance with this provision, before the corresponding nationalization.

The re-registration of motor vehicles declared a total loss and the reuse of the VIN number or chassis is prohibited.

The vehicle importer who violates the provisions of this article will be subject to a fine equivalent to five times the fine stipulated in category A.

OF VEHICLES

The National Registry is the state body responsible for registering the rights of the owners of motor vehicles, heavy trailers, and semi-trailers, as well as those of third parties who eventually may hold rights over these assets. The information contained in the database of said Registry will be considered the official information of the State.

Ownership of vehicles is proven by their registration in the National Registry. The Registry will grant the owner the corresponding title of ownership, the license plates, and the identification device, at the time of registration or replacement thereof.

If it is necessary to carry out procedures for the return of plates or detained vehicles, whether before Cosevi or judicial authorities, the procedures must be carried out by the registered owner or their legal representative.

The following are titles subject to registration in the National Registry:

• a)The public deed of transfer of the vehicle. For the transfer of animal-drawn or human-drawn vehicles and of light trailers or semi-trailers, the notarial authentication of the contracting parties' signatures will suffice, and their registration will not be required.
• b)Final judgments and judicial awards.
• c)Documents executed before a notary public with an office open in the country and while passing through abroad, or before the Costa Rican consul. In the latter case, all legal requirements demanded for their validity and effectiveness in Costa Rica must be met.
• d)In the case of imported, unregistered vehicles, the documents that prove ownership in the country of origin and the customs clearance documents issued by national customs authorities.

Transfers of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers must be executed in a public deed, indicating the formal requirements established in article 10 of this law and the amount of the transaction.

This document must be presented for registration to the National Registry, within the thirty business days following its execution, after payment of the corresponding taxes and fees; otherwise, the provisions of article 15 of this law will apply.

The vehicle title of ownership must indicate the following:

• a)The name and identification number of the owner.
• b)The make, model year, body type, engine number, license plate number, capacity, serial number, VIN number, chassis, or vehicle series.

Every registration made in the National Registry will express:

• a)The time and date of presentation of the document causing the registration.
• b)The authority issuing the document or the notary public who, where applicable, authorizes it.
• c)The names, national ID or identification numbers, qualifications, and exact domicile of the parties in the national territory, the price, and the basic characteristics of the vehicle, according to the definitions of this law.

Registration does not validate registered acts or contracts that are null or voidable according to law. However, the eventual annulment of said registration will not affect the rights of good-faith third parties who act in view of the National Registry nor the validity of contracts or acts issued based on the public faith in the registry.

In the event of legally authorized changes to the vehicle's characteristics, its owner must present it before the IVE service provider within a period not exceeding thirty business days, counted from the moment said changes occur, so that the modifications can be verified and the respective documentation issued. In the case of an engine change, the owner must prove the title through which it was acquired.

The following characteristics may not be modified:

• a)The model year.
• b)The serial number, chassis number, and/or VIN.
• c)The make, style, and model.
• d)The maximum weight authorized by the manufacturer.

Once the IVE change-of-characteristics report is obtained, the registration of the change made to the vehicle must be requested from the National Registry within a period not exceeding twenty business days. In the case of vehicles dedicated to the remunerated public transport of persons, in their regular route modality, the change-of-characteristics report will not be required, nor its subsequent registration for engine changes.

By order issued by the competent judicial authority, the following annotations may be made in the margin of the respective registration entry in the National Registry:

• a)The lawsuit regarding the constitution, modification, or extinction of real rights over registered vehicles.
• b)The lawsuit regarding the cancellation, rectification of registration, or annotation in the Registry.
• c)The attachment decree over registered vehicles. This annotation will expire by operation of law after four years, and the Registry will disregard it when registering new titles or certifying the respective entry. The interruption of this period will be governed by the provisions of the fourth paragraph of article 471 of the Civil Code.
• d)The legal lien decreed on the occasion of a traffic accident or crimes related to traffic accidents.
• e)The formal report of theft of a motor vehicle.

Judicial authorities may request the cooperation of the Traffic Police or the Public Force to carry out the respective attachment or the detention of the vehicle. When the vehicle is detained, the authorities will immediately notify the judicial authority, and the latter will notify the parties, so that the attachment can be executed within fifteen days following the date on which the communication was received. If the attachment is not carried out within this period, the vehicle will be made available to its owner, but its detention for attachment may be requested again.

The National Registry, at the request of an interested party and by administrative resolution, will order the respective annotation when the buyer has not presented, for registration, the public deed of transfer within the period established in article 9 of this law. The interested party's request must be accompanied by a certified copy of the transfer deed.

No transfer will be registered, nor may documents be withdrawn without being registered, until the lien is cancelled.

Pledge liens over vehicles will be registered and annotated in the margin of the vehicle's registration entry in the National Registry. For this purpose, the provisions of Law No. 3284, Commercial Code, of April 30, 1964, and its amendments, will apply.

The National Registry will maintain an index by plate number and another index by the names of the owners.

Once the registration entry is cancelled, the corresponding registration will be eliminated from the active indices, but a reference will be maintained in an index of cancelled registrations.

Registration fees in favor of the National Registry, as well as the payment of any tax or fee relating to the registration, transfer, cancellation, or modification of vehicle characteristics, must be paid by bank deposit, with the exception of the fiscal stamp paid for the award of vehicles in a probate proceeding and as recorded in the respective public deed under notarial faith.

Taxes will be calculated based on the fiscal value of each vehicle, as determined annually by the Ministry of Finance by means of a general agreement, unless the contractual value is higher, in which case the tax will be determined based on that value.

These taxes must be paid in full for the admission of their presentation to the National Registry.

The vehicle owner must pay all overdue circulation fees, according to the provisions of article 196 of this law. This obligation will not apply when the respective plates have been deposited with the National Registry, together with an explanation indicating the reasons for the deposit and the location where the vehicle will remain immobilized. Likewise, this obligation will not apply when the theft of the motor vehicle is recorded in the registry.

Plates will have a different identification for each vehicle and may have a combination of numbers and letters. The National Registry will regulate matters concerning the maintenance and authenticity conditions that the plates must have; likewise, it may design and order the change of all plates circulating in the country, provided that there is a technical justification that merits it.

The procedures for the return of plates or detained vehicles, whether before Cosevi or judicial authorities, will be carried out by the registered owner or their legal representative.

Vehicle owners are prohibited from transferring, facilitating, or lending the vehicle's plate or plates for use on another vehicle or giving them an unauthorized use. In the case of a public transport vehicle, violation of this prohibition will be grounds for cancellation of the concession.

The use of special license plates is authorized, in accordance with the respective regulation. The National Registry will assign them a differentiated registration class and category, only in the following cases:

• a)Official vehicles of the supreme branches of government, autonomous institutions, semi-autonomous institutions, and local governments.
• b)Vehicles of diplomatic and consular representations and international missions accredited in the country.
• c)Vehicles that enjoy a special circulation regime.

The Benemérita Cruz Roja Costarricense (Costa Rican Red Cross) and the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica (Costa Rican Fire Department) are authorized to provide their members with distinctive plates bearing the name of the institution, the emblem, and the consecutive number of said plate, allowing the identification of their vehicles in the exercise of their work. Responsibility for the use and control of said plates will fall upon the transport managers of each of those institutions. The use of these plates does not exempt from the obligation to carry the vehicle's regulatory license plates.

Vehicles entering national territory under the temporary importation regime will be governed by what is established for this purpose in this law and Law No. 7557, General Customs Law, of October 20, 1995, and its amendments, without prejudice to applicable international agreements or treaties.

The competent authorities will verify that, at the time of entry into and exit from the national territory, such vehicles do not present outstanding sums for finalized fines, imposed for infractions of this law. Cosevi will coordinate with the corresponding authorities the timely sending of the information, so as not to make the payment of the referenced fines void.

As long as outstanding sums for finalized fines, imposed for infractions of this law, are not paid, the vehicles indicated in the first paragraph of this article may not enter or exit the national territory, as provided in article 193 of this law.

The IVE includes the mechanical, electrical, and electronic verification of the vehicle's systems, its polluting emissions, and matters concerning active and passive safety devices, as established in this law and its procedures manual.

Only the circulation of vehicles that meet the aforementioned conditions, as well as the other requirements determined by this law and its regulation, will be authorized. The satisfactory result of the tests carried out by the CIVEs will be accredited by the preparation and delivery of the IVE card, as well as the adhesive approval decal, documents whose characteristics will be established by Cosevi.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, traffic authorities may verify, at any time and on any public roadway, by technical procedure and with the necessary equipment, compliance with the provisions of this section.

In the case of special equipment, according to the classification established by MOPT, it will only be obliged to verify the manufacturer's characteristics for purposes of its initial registration. The foregoing is without prejudice to random controls that may be established subsequently.

Collection vehicles, historical vehicles, or those designed for sports competition may circulate in accordance with the respective regulatory provisions, which will follow the best international practices.

In the vehicle inspection activity, the manipulation or detachment of any part or component of the vehicles will not be permitted; neither will any type of repair or modification, in order to ensure the total independence and objectivity of the service.

It will correspond to MOPT, through Cosevi, to grant the awards to the centers that will perform the IVE, prior fulfillment of the requirements established in article 27 of this law.

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 030616 of October 16, 2024, the word "authorized" was annulled from the previous paragraph)

The awarded companies may not have a direct or indirect relationship with activities such as:

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 030616 of October 16, 2024, the word "authorized" was annulled from the previous paragraph)

• a)Importation, distribution, commercialization, or repair of vehicles and vehicle spare parts.
• b)Public transport, freight transport, or similar.

It will be understood that a conflict of interest exists when the service holders or their partners have direct or indirect participation (as partners, directors, managers, or administrators) in any of the aforementioned activities.

No official of MOPT or its bodies may be an owner of a CIVE. Said prohibition extends to their spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity up to the third degree, inclusive, all without prejudice to the provisions of Law No. 8422, Law against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment in Public Office, of October 6, 2004, and its amendments.

For the provision of services, CIVEs must meet, at a minimum, the following requirements:

• a)Have a quality management system that guarantees compliance with adequate standards in service provision and the technical competence of the awarded company for that purpose.

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 030616 of October 16, 2024, the word "authorized" was annulled from the previous subsection)

• b)Be accredited before the Costa Rican Accreditation Body (ECA) in accordance with Law No. 8279, National System for Quality. Said accreditation must be maintained during the validity of the agreement. In the event that the CIVE's accreditation is permanently suspended, Cosevi will proceed to immediately revoke the award and authorization to perform the IVE.
• c)Have technically qualified personnel to carry out the tests and operate the corresponding equipment.
• d)Have adequate physical facilities to house the equipment and keep it in operating condition, observing the provisions established in Law No. 7600, Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, of May 2, 1996, its modifications, its regulation, and its interpretation.
• e)Have risk insurance and policies for personal or material damages, during the provision of the service and for the facilities.
• f)Have installation and equipment maintenance protocols, in addition to equipment calibration protocols, technical personnel hiring, training and continuous education protocols, and internal and external quality audit protocols.
• g)Provide the National Registry with the information required for the registration of vehicles and the record of modifications to their characteristics.

Failure to comply with these requirements will disqualify the company applying for or providing the IVE service, this following the due process in accordance with articles 214 and 308 of Law No. 6227, General Law of Public Administration, of May 2, 1978, and its amendments.

It will correspond to MOPT, through Cosevi, to oversee all the awarded companies to perform the IVE.

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber No. 030616 of October 16, 2024, the word "authorized" was annulled from the previous paragraph)

It will correspond to Aresep to carry out the technical studies and determine the tariff model to be used to set the tariff bands that define the minimum and maximum amount that a CIVE may charge for the vehicle inspection and re-inspection.

The fee will include a levy in favor of the entity in charge of overseeing the service and a levy in favor of Aresep for the regulated activity; in both cases, the approval of this will correspond to the Comptroller General of the Republic.

Said fee must be paid prior to the IVE.

The IVE will be carried out at least with the following periodicity:

• a)Every six months for vehicles dedicated to the public service of remunerated transport of persons.
• b)Every six months for tanker-type vehicles that transport hazardous materials and explosives.
• c)Once a year for heavy cargo vehicles, heavy trailers, and semi-trailers, except those mentioned in subsection b).
• d)Once a year for other motor vehicles, whose model year is more than five years old, except those mentioned in subsections a) and b) of this article.
• e)Once every two years for motor vehicles whose model year is equal to or less than five years old, except those mentioned in subsections a) and b) of this article.

All vehicles authorized to circulate, in accordance with article 1 of this law, must comply with the requirements regarding active and passive safety devices, as well as the safety measures and the other provisions established in this section, considering their particular constructive nature. MOPT will issue the respective regulation, after a technical opinion from Cosevi.

To fulfill the requirement, the implements required to be able to circulate must function properly. Special equipment is excepted from compliance with these requirements.

The Executive Branch will determine, by regulation, the requirements for the circulation of construction machinery and the requirements for the circulation of vehicles, with or without a motor, that, due to the constructive nature of the manufacturer or due to technological innovation, are not contemplated within this section.

To be able to circulate, motor vehicles must meet the following general requirements that are applicable to them according to their constructive nature:

• a)Have a front windshield and a rear windshield, provided that the constructive nature of the vehicle so permits. The use of a visor strip will be permitted, provided it does not cover the sweeping area of the wiper or wipers.
• b)Be provided with a horn that meets the sound limits established by regulation.
• c)Have a speed indicator in kilometers per hour, without prejudice to simultaneously using some other unit of measurement. The indicator must be installed within view of the driver.
• d)Have a steering wheel or direction wheel located on the left side or in the center, according to its constructive nature. Conversions of steering wheel location will not be accepted.
• e)Have seat belts of at least three points in all lateral seats, unless its constructive nature does not allow it. In such a case, they must use, at a minimum, lap belts. In the remaining seats, they must have lap belts. Excepted from this obligation are buses and minibuses for regular route service for the remunerated transport of persons and UTV, mo-ped, and motorcycle-type vehicles, unless, in this last case, a sidecar-type device is adapted, where the passenger must have the corresponding belt.
• f)Have rearview mirrors or any other devices that allow the driver to observe the vehicle and the road. The number of mirrors, their location, and other technical specifications shall be established via regulation, according to vehicle categories and respecting their constructive nature.
• g)Be provided with high-beam and low-beam, brake, reverse, position, directional, emergency flasher, and license plate identification light-projecting devices in perfect working order. Their colors, locations, number, light projection, uses, adjustment conditions, luminous intensity, and other technical specifications shall be established via regulation, according to their categories and respecting the constructive nature of the vehicle.
• h)Special lights may be placed on heavy cargo vehicles, special equipment vehicles, security or emergency vehicles, both public and private, by means of a permit granted by the competent body of the MOPT, in accordance with what is established via regulation.
• i)Be provided with a front and a rear bumper device, consistent with the constructive nature and technical specifications of the vehicle, respecting the international standards issued on the matter. Exempted from this requirement are cargo vehicles that use the underrun protection device as a substitute mechanism on their rear part, in accordance with regulatory specifications.
• j)Have a muffler for the exhaust that meets the parameters and noise levels established in the regulation.
• k)Be equipped with brakes capable of moderating and stopping the movement of the vehicle in a safe, rapid, and effective manner; as well as with a parking or emergency brake.

Motor vehicles that use a compressed air system for the operation of their own brakes or the brakes of any trailer or semi-trailer attached to it must be provided with a visible and audible warning signal, located on the instrument panel of the vehicle driver's compartment.

• l)Have a pollutant emission control system in perfect working order, in accordance with Article 38 of this law.
• m)Have windshield wipers or blades on the front windshield; visibility must be one hundred percent (100%) clear with respect to the coverage area of those devices.

In addition to the requirements contained in Article 32, automobiles must meet the following requirements, as applicable according to their constructive nature:

• a)Have headrests, provided that these do not affect the driver's visibility.
• b)Have a defogger for the front and rear windshields.
• c)Have tires whose tread groove depth does not reach the tire wear indicator.
• d)Have at least an airbag system for the protection of the occupants of the front seats. Exempted from compliance with this requirement are public transport service vehicles, as well as motor vehicles that, due to their constructive nature or factory design, do not incorporate it.

In addition to the requirements contained in Article 32, cargo vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers must meet the following requirements, as applicable according to their constructive nature:

• a)In the case of heavy trailers and semi-trailers, they must use retro-reflective tapes and brake lights, according to the respective regulation.
• b)Have tires whose tread groove depth does not reach the tire wear indicator.
• c)Light trailers whose PMA does not exceed 750 kilograms must carry the identification plate issued by the competent body of the MOPT indicating the PMA. The requirements and characteristics of this plate shall be determined via regulation.
• d)Heavy cargo vehicles must carry a wheel chock to immobilize the vehicle. Exempted from this requirement are vehicles that have an entrapment system.
• e)Carry the current weight and dimensions permit from the competent body of the MOPT.
• f)Heavy cargo vehicles with more than 4,000 kilograms of payload must have an underrun protection device on the rear part, in accordance with the constructive nature of the vehicle.
• g)Light cargo vehicles of the "pick-up" type must have at least an airbag system for the protection of the occupants of the front seats. Exempted from compliance with this requirement are public transport service vehicles, as well as motor vehicles that, due to their constructive nature or factory design, do not incorporate it.

In addition to the requirements contained in Article 32, public passenger transport vehicles must meet the following requirements, as applicable according to their constructive nature:

• a)Have an easily accessible emergency exit, independent of the bus's entry and exit doors, which must be located on the rear part or on the side opposite the vehicle's doors. Both the entry and exit doors, as well as the emergency exit, shall have their respective accessories, must be fully functional, and be duly signposted and enabled for use. They may not remain closed by means of lock pins, chains, or padlocks when the unit is in public service. Buses, minibuses, and shuttle buses for special services, tourism, interprovincial, or international transport may have a single entry door and the corresponding emergency exits that their design allows, respecting the manufacturer's constructive nature.
• b)Visibly carry a capacity card issued by the CTP, clearly indicating the number of passengers that may travel in it, as well as the description and route number. This document, or another additional one issued by the CTP that must also be displayed to the public, must contain the fare set by the Aresep.
• c)Buses and shuttle buses on regular routes must have the respective devices, installed and in operation, for the passenger to signal a stop request.
• d)In the case of vehicles for the exclusive transport of students, except for university student transport, they must be provided with seat belts for all their occupants. Likewise, whoever accompanies the driver must wear a retro-reflective vest.
• e)The exhaust pipe outlet must be located according to the respective regulation.
• f)Carry attached tapes of retro-reflective material, the types and characteristics of which shall be established by regulation, taking into consideration international standards and the specific characteristics of the national vehicle fleet.
• g)Public passenger transport vehicles in the taxi modality must carry and use a taximeter, except for the exceptions contemplated by law. No vehicle authorized to provide the public service with a taximeter may do so when it is not installed, does not function correctly, or has broken seals or adhesive labels with expired or adulterated calibration. The taximeter must be placed in a location visible to the user.
• h)In public service vehicles on regular routes, the interior lights shall remain on while they provide service at night or when technically necessary, in accordance with what is established in this regard by the regulations issued by the CTP in consideration of the type of route involved.
• i)Carry a wheel chock to immobilize the vehicle, as established via regulation. Exempted from this requirement are vehicles that have an entrapment system.
• j)Comply with the provisions established in Law No. 7600, Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, of May 2, 1996, its amendments, its regulation, and its interpretation.

To circulate on the road, every vehicle must be provided with the following implements in perfect working order, unless its constructive nature does not permit it:

• a)At least one fire extinguisher, as provided by regulation depending on the nature and size of the vehicle.

At least two safety triangles or another analogous device and at least one vest or other retro-reflective accessory.

• b)A spare tire and the necessary equipment to be able to change it, unless the constructive nature of the manufacturer does not require it, or in the case of buses providing service on regular routes. The MOPT may establish exceptions for public transport vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, and tractor heads that, due to their constructive nature, do not require it.
• c)Moped-type vehicles, motorcycles, and UTVs that are provided with a delivery box or similar, and cargo vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers, both light and heavy, must use bicolor retro-reflective tape or another device that fulfills the same function, the types, characteristics, technical specifications, and uses of which shall be established by regulation. For this purpose, international standards and the specific characteristics of the national vehicle fleet shall be followed, so that they are visible to all other road users.
• d)A device of a similar nature established by regulation by the MOPT, following a technical study demonstrating its necessity to guarantee the safety of the driver, passengers, or third parties.

Any unauthorized alteration or modification, equipment rental, or other practices of a temporary nature intended to modify the results of vehicle gas emission tests is prohibited.

Every motor vehicle circulating on public roads must comply with the pollutant emission limits established in this law and its regulation.

Compliance control with pollutant emission limits shall be carried out during the periodic IVEs established in Article 30 of this law and by the corresponding authorities on the road.

The Executive Branch is authorized to determine, by regulation:

• a)The testing, measurement, and inspection procedures, the values to be used, and their duration.
• b)The altitude factors.
• c)The technical specifications of the emission control systems appropriate for the different types of vehicles, including newly entering vehicles.
• d)The lambda factor percentage to be used as a parameter in the measurement of pollutants.
• e)In vehicles with spark-ignition engines, the limits for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbon particles. These must have at least one emission control system that includes a catalytic converter, an oxygen sensor, an evaporative fuel emission system, and an exhaust gas recirculation system, except for moped-type vehicles, motorcycles, and UTVs.
• f)In vehicles with compression-ignition engines, the opacity level; these must have at least an exhaust gas recirculation system and an altitude compensator.
• g)The pollutant emission control procedures for vehicles with new technologies different from those indicated in subsections e) and f).
• h)The specifications required for vehicles entering in the future with new technologies.

The pollutant emission limits may be set by regulation by the Executive Branch, provided that they seek to efficiently reduce the emission of environmental pollutants and are supported by technical studies justifying such variation.

Exempted from the pollutant emission control regulations are crawler and wheel tractors, speed competition vehicles, vehicles of historical interest, agricultural, industrial, and construction machinery, and vehicles classified as special equipment, except for tow trucks.

The Executive Branch shall determine, by regulation, the applicable provisions regarding sound measurements; for this purpose, intermediate values shall be established according to the basic characteristics of the vehicle.

The IVE shall include the inspection and measurement of noise from mufflers and the engine brake. Furthermore, when the constructive nature of the vehicle permits, they must verify the existence and correct operation of the engine brake. In the event of exceeding the noise limits, the respective technical inspection certificate shall not be granted.

All vehicles must use mufflers or other mechanisms that contribute to reducing the noise levels produced by their engines, exhausts, and horns.

Vehicles equipped with engine brakes must use a muffler that prevents exceeding the noise limits established by regulation. Likewise, the use of "roncadores," altered mufflers, or damaged mufflers is prohibited.

Newly entering vehicles shall be subjected to the respective IVE prior to the vehicle's registration.

Public transport operators are prohibited from providing service with unauthorized units, units past their useful life, or units that do not have the respective stable or occasional special permit issued by the CTP. In such a case, the Traffic Police shall proceed to immediately remove the unit from circulation or immobilize it, without prejudice to other applicable sanctions.

In addition to the provisions of Article 4 of this law, all units authorized to provide any public transport service must carry the corresponding original and current documentation accrediting the authorization for service provision. In the case of regular route units, the capacity card shall serve as such authorization. This documentation may be requested at any time by the traffic authorities.

Likewise, public transport vehicles must have a voluntary civil liability policy that covers damage to third-party property and injury and death of persons.

The CTP shall determine, by regulation and following the technical criteria of the technical directorate under its charge, the capacity and density of seated and standing passengers in public transport units. These must be set based on the modality, the type of route, distance of the journey, and the weight/power ratio of the unit's engine. The vehicle doors must remain closed during the journey and the vehicle's movement may not begin without the doors having been closed.

The transport of standing passengers in shuttle buses, minibuses, and special services shall not be authorized. However, by reasoned resolution, the CTP may authorize standing passengers on buses providing special university student transport service.

Vehicles dedicated to providing public passenger transport service in the bus or shuttle bus modality on a regular route, without prejudice to the provisions of other regulations, are governed by the following provisions:

• a)In the entry and exit areas, the limit of the zone in which passengers may not travel must be marked with a yellow stripe at least ten centimeters wide.
• b)They must carry, on the front part and visibly to the public, a luminous sign or one made of retro-reflective material indicating the origin and destination, the route number, and the set fare, when this is a flat fare.
• c)Operators must strictly comply with the routes, stops, and schedules established by the CTP, except in the event of a fortuitous event, force majeure, or an act of a third party.
• d)Picking up or dropping off passengers is prohibited if the unit is not stopped at the sites authorized by the CTP or if it does not use the bays intended for this purpose, in places where they exist.
• e)If a mechanical defect occurs that prevents the unit from completing the trip, the operator shall be obliged to guarantee the user, at no cost, boarding on another unit of the same route or the replacement of the unit within a reasonable time, in coordination with the route concessionaire, or, if so requested, the full amount of the fare charged must be refunded.

Vehicles of this modality are prohibited from circulating on highways or streets soliciting passengers.

Vehicles dedicated to providing public passenger transport service in the taxi modality, without prejudice to the provisions of other regulations, are governed by the following provisions:

• a)Place, in a location visible to the user of this service, the driver code issued by the CTP.
• b)Be of the color and with the geometric figures that the CTP determines, in accordance with the regulation. In addition, they must have the initials, the operating base number, and the license plates that correspond to them, according to the concession contract.
• c)Carry the specific license plates for this vehicle modality.
• d)They must strictly comply with the stops, operating zones, schedules, and other regulations issued by the CTP. They may not operate soliciting passengers in zones other than those authorized by the CTP.

The drivers of vehicles intended for public transport, as well as traffic officers and other police authorities, are authorized to prevent entry or demand the removal of passengers who are inside the vehicle when the following conditions occur:

• a)The passenger consumes alcohol or any type of prohibited drug inside the public transport units or is in an evident state of intoxication or under the effects of these.
• b)The passenger carries sharp objects, unauthorized weapons, explosive or dangerous materials, or animals, except for assistance animals for persons with disabilities and the cases provided for in Article 66 of Law 7969, Law Regulating the Public Remunerated Transport Service of Persons in Vehicles in the Taxi Modality, of December 22, 1999.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 1 of the Law for the protection of the taxi driver in the face of the current health, economic, and social crisis, No. 10387 of November 14, 2023)

• c)The passenger utters insulting or rude expressions, or promotes fights.
• d)The passenger throws objects of any kind onto the public road, rights-of-way, or inside the vehicle.
• e)The passenger causes damage to the vehicle or uses internal devices improperly.
• f)The passenger disrespects the legal or regulatory provisions regarding disability.

If necessary, the driver shall stop the unit and notify the nearest police authority so that the disruptive person is forced to leave the vehicle, without prejudice to any applicable sanctions. The CTP must issue a regulation determining the procedure to prevent the entry or to remove persons from the unit.

Public transport operators are prohibited from:

• a)Charging a fare different from that set by the competent body, as well as charging a fare not previously set.
• b)Putting vehicles into circulation without license plates, with only one license plate, or with license plates that by registration belong to another vehicle, that are altered or false, or placing them in a different location than required.
• c)Vehicles authorized to provide transport service on a regular route labeling themselves with the legend "Servicio Especial." When this regulation is infringed, the CTP shall initiate the respective administrative procedure in order to apply the corresponding sanctions. The Dirección General de Tránsito shall monthly report to the CTP the report of infractions for violation of this prohibition. The foregoing, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 38 of Law No. 7593, Law of the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, of August 9, 1996, regarding subsection a) of this article.

Vehicles providing special transport services must be labeled with the legend indicating the special service modality being offered. The dimensions and location of the labeling shall be done in accordance with the provisions of the regulatory provisions. They may not carry out activities other than those authorized. The permit for public transport in special services shall in all cases be issued temporarily, for a period of up to two years and may be renewable, if the need for the public service so requires; all by reasoned agreement of the Consejo de Transporte Público, duly grounded in the regulations issued on the matter.

Units authorized for special transport services, in the student and worker modality, must carry the CTP authorization, indicating the number of places allowed in the vehicle, the route description, the license plate number, and the model year of the unit.

The interested party must have a voluntary civil liability policy that covers damage to third-party property and injury and death of persons, issued by an authorized insurer.

In addition to those established in this law, drivers of vehicles intended for public transport service are prohibited from the following:

• a)Circulating with a number of passengers, seated or standing, greater than that authorized on the respective capacity cards or allowing passengers to travel in the marked entry and exit area, as provided in subsection a) of Article 44.
• b)Driving with an expired or suspended license.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by the sole article of the Law to homologate driver's licenses issued abroad and avoid fines for not carrying it physically, No. 10591 of November 5, 2024)

• c)Not carrying the driver code.
• d)Performing any act that distracts them from driving.
• e)Refueling while transporting passengers.
• f)Refusing to provide service to elderly persons or persons with disabilities.

WITH LAW NO. 7600

7600 in the public transport service The CTP, jointly with the Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial (Cnree), must work continuously on updating and improving the guidelines applicable to public transport vehicles, for the effective compliance with Law No. 7600, Law on Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, of May 2, 1996, and its reforms, its regulation, and its interpretation, based on the international instruments on the matter ratified by the country.

The obligations derived from the application of this article shall be part of the concession contract or any other operating model applicable to public transport service operators. Upon verification of non-compliance, the CTP shall warn the registered owner of the vehicle to correct the situation within the non-extendable period of three months. Persistent non-compliance, once the period has expired, shall be grounds for termination of the concession or other operating model involved.

INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT PERMITS

The owners of foreign-registered vehicles intended for the provision of international public transport service, except in the taxi modality, who need to homologate permits granted abroad, must submit the following documents to the CTP and comply with the other requirements determined by regulation:

• a)Permit or authorization granted in the country of origin, which must undergo the corresponding legalization procedures.
• b)Accreditation of the validity of an insurance policy covering potential injuries, death, and damage to third parties while the motor vehicle remains in the country, which must be issued in Costa Rica. The method of accreditation and the coverage amount shall be determined by regulation by the competent bodies.

The period of validity of the homologation may never exceed the period of validity of the permit or authorization from the country of origin.

The Traffic Police shall proceed to remove from circulation the unit that does not have the respective homologation, without prejudice to other applicable administrative sanctions.

AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE VEHICLES

The transport of workers in a space other than the cabin area is authorized, exclusively for agricultural activities, maintenance of public services, and emergency response, under the exclusive responsibility of the vehicle owner and regardless of the information contained in the circulation permit and the title deed. These vehicles must have minimum safety devices that ensure the safeguarding of the passenger's life.

The interested party must subscribe and keep current a voluntary civil liability policy, issued by an authorized insurer, covering at least injuries, death, and material damage suffered by passengers or third parties as a result of a traffic accident.

The foregoing, without detriment to the employer's legal obligation to have work risk insurance for its workers.

SOLE SECTION GENERAL PROVISIONS

Every motor vehicle must be insured in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and its regulation, as well as by the provisions of Law No. 8653, Law Regulating the Insurance Market, of July 22, 2008, and its reforms, and other regulations on the matter.

Insurance entities offering mandatory insurance may not refuse to issue the insurance for the mandatory coverage established in this law, provided that the vehicle meets the requirements demanded by legislation to circulate in the country.

The regulation shall define the guidelines for issuing the policy.

The premium rates shall be determined by each of the insurance entities and must be sufficient to meet the commitments defined for the mandatory insurance. The Superintendencia General de Seguros shall not process rate authorization requests whose profit margin exceeds six percent (6%). The technical note supporting the rate must comply with the formalities required in the regulations issued by the Consejo Nacional de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero.

Nevertheless, if despite that limitation there is a surplus, a cumulative reserve shall be constituted to cover future losses of the mandatory insurance, up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the premiums received in the year. If the surplus exceeds this percentage, the remainder shall be transferred as a special contribution to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social to mitigate the cost of caring for injured persons when the mandatory insurance coverage is exhausted.

The insurer, within the scope of mandatory insurance and charged to the mandatory subscription insurance, must satisfy the injured party for the amount of the damages suffered to his or her person up to the insured sum. The injured party or his or her successors shall have a direct action against the insurer.

All insurance entities offering mandatory insurance, in proportion to their share of the total premiums issued for said insurance, shall be jointly and severally liable up to the coverage limit in the following cases:

• a)When identification of the vehicle causing the accident is not possible.
• b)When the causing vehicle is not insured.
• c)The causing vehicle is insured and has been stolen.
• d)The insurance entity of the causing vehicle has been dissolved. In these cases, the entities that have answered for the obligations of the dissolved entity or entity in the process of dissolution have an action for collection against the liquidators.
• e)The insurance entity of the causing vehicle is insolvent and is subject to a liquidation or intervention proceeding, in which case the entities that have assumed and answered for the obligations of the insolvent entity must legalize their claims in accordance with civil legislation. If they fail to do so in a timely manner, they shall lose any privilege that may correspond to them and shall become ordinary creditors.
• f)In the cases set forth in the preceding subsections, the injured party or his or her successors may file the claim with any insurance entity offering mandatory motor vehicle insurance.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to owners of motor vehicles that operate on rails or to those that, by their nature, are not intended to travel on public roads.

Natural or legal persons engaged in the sale of new or used motor vehicles must take out a global policy covering the same items as the individual policy, as provided for in the respective regulations.

The owners of foreign-registered vehicles or their drivers must take out and keep in force, while the motor vehicle remains in the country, the mandatory insurance under the terms established by this law. The customs authorities shall issue the permit for the vehicle to travel in the country only if it is demonstrated that the mandatory insurance has been taken out with the validity period defined in the regulations for this law.

The Executive Branch shall regulate this chapter on mandatory vehicle insurance. The regulations shall define the basic coverage amount per person; the compensation schedule, the classification of vehicle types for rating purposes, and other considerations necessary for the application of the compensation regime established in this law.

The sectoral regulation of insurance activity shall be governed by Ley N.° 8653, Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros, of July 22, 2008, and its amendments. The Superintendencia General de Seguros shall maintain a public registry of vehicles insured with mandatory insurance and must guarantee timely access to the information contained therein. For this purpose, the insurance entities shall submit the information in the form and with the periodicity determined by regulation.

The policy referred to in this chapter shall have a validity of one calendar year, beginning on January 1 of each year and ending on December 31 of that same year.

If the policy is paid after January 1, its validity shall be from the date of payment until December 31 of that same year, with the exception of policies for foreign-registered vehicles referred to in Article 60.

In the event of late insurance or non-compliance with the mandatory insurance in prior periods, the insurance entities shall apply a surcharge on the premium amount equivalent to the annual basic passive rate plus five percentage points, calculated by the Banco Central de Costa Rica, in force at the time of collection, applied proportionally to the days of delay.

Exempt from payment for this concept are cases in which there was a voluntary deposit of license plates, temporary removal of the vehicle, or withdrawal of license plates, all in accordance with this law, applying the respective exemption from the date of deposit or withdrawal and for the duration of that condition. Likewise, exempt from this payment is when the theft of the motor vehicle is registered, applying the respective exemption from the date of the pertinent notation.

The mandatory insurance of motor vehicles covers injury and death of persons who are victims of a traffic accident, whether or not there is subjective liability of the driver. Likewise, injury or death occurring in an accident produced with civil liability, arising from the possession, use, or maintenance of the vehicle. In the latter case, this liability must be determined through established procedures and before the competent courts.

For the purposes of the compensation provided by mandatory motor vehicle insurance, it is presumed that any accident involving one or more motor vehicles is a traffic accident and, therefore, eligible for compensation under this law, as long as there is no notice of a workplace accident from the employer, the accident victim, or his or her successors, in accordance with the provisions of the Código de Trabajo.

If there is such a notice, it shall be presumed that it is a workplace risk and the care of the injured person shall be governed by the provisions of the Código de Trabajo, unless the insurance entity, through suitable evidence, determines otherwise.

In that event, the insurance entity that issued the mandatory motor vehicle insurance policy shall reimburse the insurance entity that issued the workplace risk insurance for the expenses incurred in caring for the case. The latter shall proceed in the same manner if the workplace accident notice is filed late, with respect to the expenses that, up to that moment, have been incurred by the entity that issued the mandatory vehicle insurance.

The coverage limit per person is individual and non-transferable as established below:

• a)Up to a basic amount to cover medical or economic benefits in a combined manner.
• b)The amount set forth in the preceding subsection shall be doubled, for the purpose of covering, exclusively, medical benefits, in the presence of any of the following situations:

i. The injured person is not insured under the Sickness and Maternity Regime of the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS).

ii. The injured person is under eighteen years of age.

iii. The life of the injured person is at risk.

• c)Up to a basic amount per person to cover compensation in the case of permanent disability, whether total or partial. No sum whatsoever shall be deducted for the benefits indicated in subsections a) and b).
• d)Up to a basic amount per person to cover compensation in the case of death, from which no sum shall be deducted.
• e)For all cases in which the amount of coverage indicated in subsections a) and b) of this article is exhausted, proceedings shall be in accordance with this law.

The Executive Branch shall define the parameters for updating the basic coverage amount.

Within the limit amounts referred to in the preceding article, victims or their successors who are affected as a consequence of an accident covered by this insurance shall have the right to at least the following services:

• a)Medical, surgical, hospital, pharmaceutical, and rehabilitation assistance.
• b)Prostheses and medical devices required to correct functional deficiencies.
• c)Monetary benefits corresponding to compensation for temporary or permanent disability, or for death, as detailed in this law.
• d)Transportation expenses, under the terms and conditions established in the regulations for this law.
• e)Lodging and meal payments when the injured person, due to the provision of medical-health or rehabilitation benefits, must travel to a place other than his or her habitual residence, and the insurance entity cannot provide that service. The amount for this concept shall be set in the regulations for this law.
• f)Costs incurred for the funeral and transportation of the body, under the terms to be established in the regulations for this law.

For the provision of economic and health benefits that must be granted under mandatory motor vehicle insurance, the following rules apply:

• a)The benefits under this insurance shall begin to be provided by the doctors of the insurance entities or by those hired by the victim in his or her condition as an injured person. To be entitled to them, the insurance entity must be informed, through the accident notice that the driver, the vehicle owner, or any authority aware of the event is obligated to file. The victim or his or her family members may notify the insurance entity of the event, providing or indicating, as applicable, the evidence they have.

The period for giving notice shall be ten business days after the accident, unless it is demonstrated that there was a real impossibility to present the evidence within the stipulated period. In the latter case, the period runs from the moment the impossibility ceases.

• b)Sufficient grounds to interrupt the benefits of this insurance shall be the fact that the insured, the driver, or the victim, when reporting the accident or processing the claim, conceals, informs, or falsely states any act or circumstance that is determinative in classifying the accident, or incurs in any fraud or false testimony regarding the foregoing, when so determined by the judicial authority. When these circumstances give rise to an undue payment, the insurance entity shall have the right to demand, through executive proceedings, the reimbursement of the sums paid in excess or unduly.

For these purposes, the certification of the costs incurred, issued by the insurance entity, shall constitute an executive title.

• c)The rights and actions to file claims shall prescribe in three years from the day the accident occurred. If claims have been filed, medical attention received, and the person has been discharged within that period, he or she may request medical attention again, provided it is done within three years after the date of discharge and for a maximum of six years counted from that same date.

For the provision of health benefits to be granted under this insurance, the freedom of choice of the victim and the insured persons to select medical services is guaranteed, whether from the network of auxiliary service providers contracted by the insurance entity and duly registered with the Superintendencia General de Seguros, or by those they contract in their condition as injured persons in the exercise of this freedom of choice.

If injuries or death are caused to persons by a motor vehicle for which mandatory vehicle insurance is not in force, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the victim or the beneficiaries shall have the right to demand, jointly and severally, from the owner of the causing vehicle the immediate provision of the medical services and economic guarantees provided for in this chapter, with the limitations regarding the maximum coverage amount in force, without prejudice to any rights they may have if there is liability of the person causing the accident.

The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social shall have priority in the payment of monetary benefits and medical services, including medical services provided in the immediate care of the accident. If there is a remainder, it shall be paid to the other entities that have provided these services up to the established coverage limits. In this case, invoices shall be paid in order of presentation.

For such purposes, the billing issued by the CCSS for the costs of the medical services provided shall constitute an executive title.

Medical, hospital, and pharmaceutical services that cannot be covered by the insurance entities, because the available amount per person has been exhausted, shall be provided by the entity selected by the victim and the insured persons in accordance with Article 69, which may not refuse to continue the treatment, without prejudice to its right to collect the additional expenses it incurs. When this entity is the CCSS, the service must be provided whether the accident victims are insured or uninsured under the Sickness and Maternity Regime. In the case of uninsured persons, the invoice issued by the CCSS for the costs of the medical services provided shall constitute an executive title.

Insurance entities that offer mandatory motor vehicle insurance are authorized to enter into the necessary agreements with the CCSS for the purpose of coordinating the operational aspects derived from the medical care provided by this institution.

The medical-health services derived from mandatory vehicle insurance may not be waived, settled, assigned, offset, encumbered, or attached, except for monetary benefits, which may be attached up to fifty percent (50%) for alimony.

In the case of temporary disability, the accident victim shall have the right to an amount that supplements that recognized by the CCSS and the employer for whom he or she works. Under no circumstances shall the subsidy received by the injured person be greater than one hundred percent (100%) of the duly verified income, as indicated in Article 74 of this law, nor less than the minimum wage in force on the date of the mishap, and proportional to the working day performed in the activity to which the injured party is dedicated.

For the calculation of the temporary disability subsidy and compensation for permanent disability, the victim's income shall be taken, in this order:

• a)The wages reported in the payrolls submitted to the CCSS and the income reported, in the case of independent workers.
• b)The wages reported in the workplace risk insurance payrolls or, failing that, in the personal income tax return filed with the Ministerio de Hacienda. In any event, any of the documents mentioned above must have been submitted to the corresponding institution before the date of the accident.

If the accident victim cannot prove his or her income by the means set forth, because the person is not insured under any of the regimes mentioned and is not an income tax declarant, or in any other exceptional case, the calculation of the temporary disability subsidy or permanent disability compensation shall be based on the legal minimum wage earned in the activity in which the victim was employed.

For the purpose of determining the percentage of permanent disability, the provisions established in Ley N.º 2, Código de Trabajo, of August 27, 1943, and its amendments, regarding workplace risks, shall be followed.

The regulations shall develop the methodology for estimating the compensation charged to mandatory motor vehicle insurance. The payment of the compensation shall be made in a single installment (en un solo tracto).

The following persons shall have the right to payment for compensation in the event of the death of a person due to an accident with a vehicle covered by mandatory vehicle insurance, according to the order of priority citation, except subsections a), b), and c), which are not exclusive:

(Thus amended the preceding paragraph by Article 6 of law N° 10166 of March 30, 2022, "Reforma varias leyes para el reconocimiento de derechos a madres y padres de crianza")

• a)Minors under eighteen years of age who were economically dependent on the deceased. It shall not be necessary to prove economic dependence when the minors are children of the deceased. In all other cases, economic dependence must be reliably proven.
• b)Children over eighteen years of age but under twenty-five who are pursuing university studies and who do not have their own resources for their support. Likewise, children over eighteen years of age who, due to a condition of disability, cannot provide for their own income.
• c)The surviving spouse who cohabited with the accident victim, the divorced person, or the person judicially separated for causes attributable to the deceased, provided it is proven that he or she was economically dependent on the deceased, or, failing that, the companion with whom he may or may not have procreated children, provided she cohabited with him, uninterruptedly, during the last two years and was economically dependent on him. In this case, she must provide the necessary proof of her condition.
• d)The legitimate mother or the adoptive/raising mother (madre de crianza).
• e)The father, or the adoptive/raising father (padre de crianza), the mother, or the adoptive/raising mother (madre de crianza), when he or she had, in his or her time, provided for the support of the deceased.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 6 of law N° 10166 of March 30, 2022, "Reforma varias leyes para el reconocimiento de derechos a madres y padres de crianza")

• f)Ascendants or descendants up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, elderly persons, or persons incapacitated for work, who lived in economic dependence on the deceased.

The amount that will correspond to each beneficiary shall be equal to the balance of the sum per injured person, divided by the number of successors.

If the amount of compensation for injury or death is greater than the amount covered by the policy, the victim or his or her successors have the power to resort to the respective courts to demand from the person responsible for the accident payment of the difference or supplement corresponding to them, in accordance with ordinary laws. The sums covered by mandatory motor vehicle insurance are deductible from the total that the driver or owner of the vehicle is legally obligated to pay.

In matters of mandatory insurance not covered in this law, in its executive regulations, and in the technical regulations issued, the rules contained in Ley N.° 2, Código de Trabajo, of August 27, 1943, and its amendments; Ley N.° 8653, Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros, of July 22, 2008, and its amendments; and Ley N.° 8956, Ley Reguladora del Contrato de Seguros, of June 17, 2011, shall be applied supplementarily.

SINGLE SECTION GENERAL PROVISIONS

Any person may obtain a license to drive vehicles on public land roads, once having fulfilled the suitability requirements established legally and by regulation.

Persons with disabilities, who so require, may drive specially adapted vehicles, in accordance with the best international practices in road safety and human rights.

The practical exam referred to in subsection e) of Article 84 of this law must be carried out in vehicles that present the characteristics typical of the type of license to which the driver aspires; it may be carried out with a vehicle with manual, automatic, or other technology transmission.

In the case of Class A and B licenses, the vehicles used to take the practical exam must exceed the maximum weight and power limits required to obtain the type of license immediately below the one requested.

In the case of articulated vehicles, taking the exam shall require driving the complete vehicle (tractor unit and trailer).

Persons with disabilities may take the practical exam in a vehicle adapted to their condition.

OF DRIVERS

The obtaining of the temporary learner's permit (permiso temporal de aprendizaje) and the driver's license is subject to compliance with the requirements or conditions established by this law and the provisions established by regulation.

The driver accreditation process (proceso de acreditación de conductores), when it involves the provision of a public service, must conform to the standards of the Sistema Nacional para la Calidad, established in Ley N.º 8279, of May 2, 2002.

(Annuled the original final paragraph by ruling of the Sala Constitucional N° 8481 of June 11, 2014)

To obtain the temporary driver learner's permit, which shall be valid for three months from its date of issuance, the applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

• a)Know how to read and write. If the person presents any type of learning, cognitive, or similar limitation, the applicant may substitute this requirement with the special courses established by the Dirección General de Educación Vial. Persons with disabilities must be guaranteed the necessary accommodations and support services during the course instruction.
• b)Pass the Basic Road Safety Education Course (Curso Básico de Educación Vial), the requirements of which shall be established by regulation.
• c)Be over eighteen years of age, except as provided for the type A-1 license.
• d)Submit a general medical opinion (dictamen médico general) issued by a medical sciences professional authorized by the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos.
• e)Take out an insurance policy with civil liability coverage, the amount of which shall be determined by regulation.
• f)Not have committed any of the infractions indicated in Article 143 of this law nor the crimes of 254 bis(*) of Ley N.º 4573, Código Penal, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments, during the twelve months prior to the date on which the temporary learner's permit is requested.

(*) (Note from Sinalevi: In accordance with the reform made by the Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 of July 10, 2012, which corrected the numbering of the articles of the Código Penal, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

• g)Meet the minimum requirements for the license in question.

The learner with a temporary permit must be assisted by a companion or instructor who holds a driver's license of the same type or higher than the one aspired to, which must be current and have been obtained at least five years in advance. Neither the learner nor the instructor or companion may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in accordance with the rules governing the matter, while making use of this permit. In the case of driving schools, instructors must comply with the provisions of Ley N.º 8709, Ley de Regulación de las Escuelas de Manejo, of February 3, 2009.

(Note from Sinalevi: By means of Article 2 of the Ley para mejorar la eficacia de la legislación en materia de control de alcohol y drogas en la conducción, N° 10860 of February 27, 2026, the preceding paragraph shall be reformed. In accordance with Transitory III of the aforementioned law, it shall come into force twelve months after its publication, that is, on March 28, 2027, so from that date said paragraph shall read as follows: "The learner driver (persona aprendiz) with a temporary permit must be assisted by a companion or instructor who holds a driver's license of the same type or higher than the one aspired to, which must be current and have been obtained at least five years in advance. Neither the learner driver (persona aprendiz) nor the instructor or companion may have alcohol present in the body nor be under the influence of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites, in both cases determined by application of the procedures established for that purpose, in accordance with the rules governing the matter, while making use of this permit. In the case of driving schools, instructors must comply with the provisions of Ley 8709, Regulación de las Escuelas de Manejo, of February 3, 2009.

") In cases where the temporary learner's permit is requested for the purpose of managing a type C-2 license, practice must be carried out in units without passengers, except for the instructor or companion.

To obtain any class of driver's license for the first time, the applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

• a)Be over eighteen years of age, except as provided by Article 85 for the type A-1 license. In the case of type B2, B3, and B4 licenses, regulated by Article 86 of this law, the minimum age indicated therein must be met.
• b)Know how to read and write. If the person presents any type of learning, cognitive, or similar limitation, the applicant may substitute this requirement with the special courses established by the Dirección General de Educación Vial. Persons with disabilities must be guaranteed the necessary accommodations and support services during the course instruction.
• c)Submit a general medical opinion (dictamen médico general) issued by a medical sciences professional authorized by the Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos.
• d)Pass the basic road safety education course, the requirements of which shall be established by regulation.
• e)Pass the practical exam for the type of license aspired to, in accordance with the provisions established for that purpose by the competent authorities. Exempt from the practical exam are type C-1 and type E-1 and E-2 licenses. The exam may be taken in vehicles with manual, automatic, mixed transmission, or specially adapted, in the case of persons with disabilities, respecting the constructive nature of the manufacturing makes. In the case of articulated vehicles, taking the exam shall require driving the complete vehicle (tractor unit, trailer, or semi-trailer).

To obtain the B-1 license, the practical exam shall be taken in vehicles up to 4000 kilograms of gross weight or PMA, provided they are not UTV-type vehicles.

• f)Not have committed any of the crimes set forth in Article 254 bis(*) of Ley N.º 4573, Código Penal, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments, nor any of the infractions classified as category A and B conducts under this law, during the twelve months prior to the date on which the license is requested for the first time.

(*) (Note from Sinalevi: In accordance with the reform made by the Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 of July 10, 2012, which corrected the numbering of the articles of the Código Penal, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

Regarding the requirement set forth in subsection c) of this article, it must also be observed for the renewal or reaccreditation of the driver's license.

Class A driver's licenses shall have the following modalities:

Type A-1: authorizes driving motor vehicles such as mopeds (bicimoto) and motorcycles (motocicleta), with internal combustion engines, whose engine displacement does not exceed 125 cubic centimeters. If these vehicles have electric or hybrid engines, the maximum power shall not exceed 11 kilowatts. Likewise, it authorizes driving tricycles (triciclo) and quadricycles (cuadraciclo), whose engine displacement does not exceed two hundred fifty cubic centimeters.

Individuals over sixteen years of age are authorized to apply for this driver's license, provided they have written authorization from one of their parents, guardian (curador), tutor, or their legal or administrative representative. Additionally, they must sign an insurance policy for death, injury, accident, and damage to third parties.

Type A-2: authorizes driving motor vehicles such as mopeds (bicimoto) and motorcycles (motocicleta), with internal combustion engines, whose engine displacement does not exceed five hundred cubic centimeters. If these vehicles have electric or hybrid engines, the maximum power shall not exceed 35 kilowatts.

Type A-3: authorizes driving motor vehicles such as mopeds (bicimoto) and motorcycles (motocicleta), with internal combustion, electric, or hybrid engines, with no limit on displacement or power. Drivers accredited with this type of license may drive all vehicles authorized for Class A licenses.

Class B driver's licenses shall have the following modalities:

Type B-1: authorizes driving vehicles up to 4000 kilograms gross weight or maximum authorized mass (PMA). These vehicles may be driven with a light trailer, provided that the vehicle, the trailer, and the load together do not exceed 4000 kilograms gross weight and are not regulated within other classes or types of licenses. Additionally, it authorizes driving UTV-type transport units. It also authorizes driving tricycles (triciclo) and quadricycles (cuadraciclo) on non-primary roads, whose engine displacement does not exceed five hundred fifty cubic centimeters.

Type B-2: authorizes driving vehicles up to 8000 kilograms gross weight or maximum authorized mass (PMA). These vehicles may be driven with a trailer, provided that the vehicle, the trailer, and the load together do not exceed 8000 kilograms gross weight. The driver must be over twenty years of age and have held a Class B or C license for at least two years from its issuance.

Type B-3: authorizes driving vehicles of any weight, except heavy articulated vehicles. The driver must be over twenty-two years of age and have held a Class B or C license for at least three years from its issuance.

Type B-4: authorizes driving vehicles of any weight, including heavy articulated vehicles. The driver must be over twenty-two years of age and have held a Class B or C license for at least three years from its issuance, and pass a course specially taught by the Dirección General de Educación Vial or a duly accredited entity, as provided in article 222 of this law.

(As amended by article 1 of Ley N° 9460 of June 20, 2017)

Class C driver's licenses shall have the following modalities:

Type C-1: authorizes driving motor vehicles in taxi mode. The driver must hold a Class B or Type C-2 license, with at least three years from its issuance, and have obtained the certificate for the basic road safety education course for public transport.

Type C-2: authorizes driving motor vehicles for public passenger transport in the modalities of autobús, buseta, and microbús. The driver must hold a Class B or Type C-1 license, with at least three years from its issuance, and have obtained the certificate for the basic road safety education course for public transport.

Exceptionally, through the approval of a course specially designed, supervised, and endorsed by the CTP, persons with two years of experience in Class B or Type C-1 licenses may obtain a Type C-2 license, provided that it is guaranteed, through technical parameters, that they meet the suitable characteristics for driving the type of vehicles indicated herein.

Prior to the authorization for the provision of special transport services for underage students, a criminal record certificate must be provided stating that the person has not been convicted of pedophilia, sexual offenses, or those contemplated in article 254 bis(*) of Ley N.° 4573, Código Penal, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments.

Drivers who obtain a Class C license may dispense with the Type B-1 license for driving the motor vehicles covered by that accreditation.

(*) (Sinalevi Note: In accordance with the amendment made by the Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Código Penal, article 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to article 261 bis)

Class D driver's licenses shall have the following modalities:

Type D-1: authorizes driving wheeled tractors.

Type D-2: authorizes driving only tracked tractors.

Type D-3: authorizes driving other types of special equipment, not contemplated in D-1 or D-2 licenses.

Class E driver's licenses shall have the following modalities:

Type E-1: authorizes driving vehicles included within the classes of two, three, four, or more axles, except those intended for public transport. The driver must hold an A-3 and B-4 license, with at least one year from their issuance.

Type E-2: authorizes driving wheeled tractors, tracked tractors, and all classes of vehicles with two, three, four, or more axles, as well as the machinery authorized under the Type D-1, D-2, and D-3 licenses, except machinery intended for public transport. The driver must hold an A-3 and B-4 license, with at least one year from their issuance.

Any employer who hires persons whose main job is driving vehicles for the transport of goods or people must employ professional drivers for such activity.

The homologation of foreign driver's licenses shall be governed by the following provisions:

• a)Drivers accredited with a driver's license abroad, who are in the country under any of the stay subcategories provided for by Ley 8764, Ley General de Migración y Extranjería, of August 19, 2009, or in transit, are authorized to drive the same vehicle permitted by said license for a period identical to that authorized for their legal stay in the national territory.

The presentation of the license in physical format may not be required when such person shows it in digital format because their country of origin or residence issues it that way.

During this period, drivers accredited with a driver's license equivalent to a national Type B-1 license or higher may drive mopeds (bicimoto) and motorcycles (motocicleta) with internal combustion engines on non-primary roads, whose engine displacement does not exceed 125 cubic centimeters; if these vehicles have electric or hybrid engines, the maximum power shall not exceed 11 kilowatts. In the same terms, driving tricycles (triciclo) and quadricycles (cuadraciclo) type motorcycles is authorized, whose engine displacement does not exceed 500 cubic centimeters.

These drivers shall be subject to the same regulations as drivers accredited with a national driver's license.

• b)Drivers accredited with a driver's license abroad, who have an approved migratory status in the country or have submitted an application for legal migratory status, foreign diplomatic and consular officials, and officials of international organizations accredited in the country while they remain in their functions, may drive provided they obtain the Costa Rican driver's license, without requiring a minimum uninterrupted period of stay in the country, upon prior fulfillment of the following requirements:

i. The license to be homologated must be valid.

ii. Comply with the provisions of this law for the class and type of license to be homologated, except for the obligation to attend the basic road safety education course and to take the practical driving test.

iii. Prove their legal permanence in the country or that it is in process, under the protection of current migration legislation.

• c)For the homologation process of licenses of foreign persons for the purpose of working as professional drivers of paid passenger transport or heavy cargo transport, in addition to observing the provisions in subsection b), sub-subsections i), ii) and iii) of this article, the following must be observed:

i. Drivers with licenses equivalent to Type B-4 and Class C, contemplated in this law, may have their experience homologated according to the license to be validated.

ii. In addition to the requirements demanded by articles 85 and 86 of this law, for those requesting a Type B4 or Class C license for the first time, prior experience may be homologated based on the equivalent foreign license they hold.

For drivers with licenses equivalent to Type B-4 and C, contemplated in this law, experience may be homologated according to the license to be validated, and they must take the respective course specially designed, supervised, and endorsed by the competent entity and/or duly accredited for the type of vehicle they intend to drive.

Likewise, foreign persons whose migratory status, protected under national legislation, is considered regular, because they are undergoing an application process for a change of migratory category or extension, whose final resolution is pending resolution by the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería, are authorized to drive.

(As amended by the sole article of the Ley para homologar licencias de conducir emitidas en el extranjero y evitar las multas por no portarla físicamente, N° 10591 of November 5, 2024)

• a)When issued for the first time, its validity shall be three years.
• b)When issued by renewal, the following shall apply:
• i)If, at the time of renewing the license, the driver has accumulated four points or fewer, in accordance with the system defined in article 134 of this law, the renewal of its validity shall be for six years. Furthermore, the driver shall only pay the equivalent of fifty percent (50%) of the value of the license renewal.
• ii)If, at the time of renewing the license, the driver has accumulated between five and eight points, in accordance with the system defined in article 134 of this law, the renewal of its validity shall be for four years. Furthermore, the driver must take a road awareness and re-education course, the conditions of which shall be established by regulation.
• iii)If, at the time of renewing the license, the driver has accumulated between nine and eleven points, in accordance with the system defined in article 134 of this law, the renewal of its validity shall be for three years. Furthermore, the driver must attend a road awareness and re-education course, the conditions of which shall be established by regulation.
• iv)Points shall be accumulated only during the validity period of the respective driver's license; at the time of renewal, the point count shall restart.
• c)When issued by reaccreditation, its validity shall be three years.

USE OF PUBLIC ROADS

When using public roads, drivers, vehicle passengers, and pedestrians must:

• a)Immediately obey the verbal or written instructions of traffic authorities and stop when indicated by the stop signal, which may be given by hand or by means of acoustic or luminous signals.
• b)Respect the instructions of any official traffic control device that has been installed and operates in accordance with the respective legal and regulatory provisions.
• c)Observe and comply with vertical and horizontal signs on public roads.
• d)Conduct themselves in a manner that does not obstruct circulation or endanger the safety of vehicles or other persons.
• e)Drivers shall avoid situations that impede the free flow of traffic; therefore, they shall apply defensive driving and maintain constant caution and mutual consideration towards pedestrians and other drivers.
• f)Give right of way to emergency vehicles when they are circulating in response to an incident of this nature, which shall be evidenced by the activation of the alarm devices with which said vehicles are equipped.

Drivers shall ensure the physical integrity and safety of themselves and their passengers; furthermore, they must use and ensure that all vehicle occupants use the seat belts and other devices that, according to this law, must be installed in the vehicle.

Persons under twelve years of age who are less than 1.45 meters tall must travel in the rear seat of the vehicle. For this purpose, a child restraint system must be adapted, the technical specifications of which shall be defined by regulation. Exceptionally, they may travel in the front passenger seat, using the child restraint system, when a duly accredited medical reason so requires, or when, due to the constructive nature, the vehicle does not have rear seats.

Exempted from the use of child restraint systems are public passenger transport vehicles in taxi mode, stable special taxi service, autobuses or busetas on regular routes, and autobuses or busetas for special services, except for the special student transport service when provided to persons under twelve years of age who are less than 1.45 meters tall.

Likewise, vehicles exempted in subsection e) of article 32 of this law would not be subject to compliance with the provisions of this regulation.

The Executive Branch may establish restrictions on vehicular circulation, for duly substantiated reasons of opportunity, convenience, public, regional, or national interest, as established by regulation. In that case, it must clearly label the areas and hours during which circulation will be limited, by means of the corresponding vertical signage.

If, in the name of the same natural or legal person, or their spouse or cohabitant, there are two or more automobile-type vehicles affected by the vehicular restriction at the same time, the owner may request from the competent body of the MOPT, and after the pertinent verifications, that the circulation limitation for one of them be transferred to the day following the one determined by the original restriction. The competent body shall issue a sticker as a distinctive mark of this change.

Vehicles driven by or transporting persons with disabilities, when said vehicles are duly authorized, as well as vehicles with environmentally friendly technologies, public and private ambulances, Fire Department vehicles, vehicles used by public police forces, and the Organismo de Investigación Judicial of the Judicial Branch, shall not be subject to this restriction, without prejudice to other cases determined by regulation, upon prior technical criteria supporting it.

The Executive Branch may establish, on all national or cantonal public roads of the national territory, restrictions on vehicular circulation for reasons of a previously decreed national emergency. The vehicular circulation restriction shall be indicated via executive decree, indicating the areas or zones, days or hours, and the exceptions in which it shall apply. The limitation may not be of an absolute nature. The Executive Branch must inform citizens in advance, through the means it deems appropriate, of the day, time, and area or zones in which the vehicular restriction shall apply, so that citizens may take the respective precautions and comply with it.

Public and private ambulances, Fire Department vehicles, vehicles used by public police forces, the Organismo de Investigación Judicial of the Judicial Branch, and tow truck and platform and rescue vehicles shall not be subject to this restriction, without prejudice to other cases determined via executive decree, with their respective substantiation.

(As added by article 1 of the Ley Establece la restricción vehicular en casos de emergencia nacional previamente decretada, N° 9838 of April 3, 2020)

Both public parking lots and private parking lots serving the public are obligated to comply with the provisions of Ley N.º 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, of May 2, 1996, its modifications, its regulations, and its interpretation, regarding spaces reserved specifically for persons with disabilities, as well as pregnant women and senior citizens (ciudadanos de oro).

Preferential parking spaces must be located in an easily accessible place and visibly identified; likewise, the placement of obstacles that are difficult to remove and impede access to the preferential space is prohibited. When devices are placed to identify or safeguard these spaces, personnel must be available to assist immediately in their removal. This personnel must possess the necessary sensitivity to avoid affecting the user's dignity.

Preferential spaces may be occupied only by those with an evident or certified disability, as well as by women in an advanced state of pregnancy and senior citizens (ciudadanos de oro). The parking lot administration shall ensure that preferential spaces are not occupied by other unauthorized persons. In the event that unauthorized persons occupy said spaces, a category C fine shall apply to them.

Furthermore, the parking lot administration must immediately report the fact to the traffic authorities and immediately request that, with the assistance of their tow trucks, the offending vehicle be removed. The owner of the establishment who fails to comply with this obligation shall be subject to a fine equivalent to five times the fine stipulated in category C.

(Sinalevi Note: By means of circular N° 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Boletín Judicial N° 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned regulation, said fines shall take effect as of January 1, 2026, therefore, as of that date, the new amounts shall be as follows:

)

In urban areas of zones on public roads used for vehicle parking, at least ten percent (10%) must be reserved for the exclusive use of mopeds (bicimotos) and motorcycles (motocicletas), which must be duly signposted.

Speed limits for vehicle circulation shall be set by the Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito and must be updated in accordance with international trends, following a technical study, according to the type of road and its conditions. The minimum and maximum limits are in effect from the placement of signs or demarcations indicating those speeds, which must be installed on public roads in a visible and appropriate manner.

In the absence of signage, the minimum and maximum limits shall be:

• a)On highways, the minimum speed shall be fifty kilometers per hour (50km/h).
• b)Where there is no demarcation, the limit shall be sixty kilometers per hour (60km/h); in urban zones of high population density, it shall be fifty kilometers per hour (50 km/h).
• c)At pedestrian crossings on public roads located around educational facilities with students present, health centers, and where activities or mass gatherings take place, the limit shall be twenty-five kilometers per hour (25 km/h). The start and end point of said restriction must be duly defined and demarcated, as well as the hours and days on which it takes effect.

Driving at a speed higher than the maximum limit or lower than the minimum established limit is prohibited; for this purpose, the driver must take into account road conditions and driving rules.

Emergency vehicles, in the performance of their duties and duly identified by the respective sound and light signals, shall be exempt from complying with said limits, always safeguarding the integrity of those attending those places and road safety.

To verify the speed at which a vehicle is traveling, traffic authorities may use, indistinctly, any equipment and/or technological device available to the Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito. The interested party has the right to be immediately shown the equipment and/or device with the speed measurement and to challenge that measurement by any means of proof, except as provided for infractions generated by the intelligent infraction control system.

In the case of the automatic surveillance system, the requirements established in article 160 of this law must be met.

Vehicles must be driven in the right lane of the road, except in the following cases:

• a)When the right lane is obstructed and it is necessary to travel in the lane for oncoming traffic.
• b)When overtaking another vehicle traveling in the same direction.
• c)When the road is designed or marked for traveling in a single direction.
• d)When, for reasons of convenience and public interest, the MOPT so orders.

In emergency situations, vehicles authorized to attend to such situations may drive in the opposite direction lane, provided that no vehicles are traveling in that lane and no danger is posed to other road users.

On highways and special public roads with multiple driving lanes, faster-moving vehicles shall drive on the left side and slower-moving ones on the right side. The driver must respect and obey the specific signs placed on those roads to regulate lane usage.

The driver of a vehicle traveling on a public road must maintain a reasonable and prudent distance that guarantees timely stopping, in the event that the preceding vehicle brakes suddenly. To do this, the driver must consider their speed, the road conditions, weather conditions, and those of their own vehicle.

Any driver who reduces speed, intends to stop, change lanes, change direction, or who, being parked, intends to re-enter the roadway, must make sure, before starting the maneuver, that they can execute it safely. Furthermore, they are obliged to give notice by means of the corresponding luminous signals. This signal does not grant the right to perform the maneuver if it endangers other road users.

For the use of lights, the following rules must be observed:

• a)From six in the evening until six in the morning, the circulation of vehicles without the regulatory lights on is prohibited. This provision shall also apply at any time of the day, on occasions when visibility is difficult for natural or artificial reasons.
• b)The vehicle's high beam shall be used on public roads, provided that no vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction.
• c)The vehicle's low beam shall be used on public roads when vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction or when traveling behind another vehicle.
• d)Fog lights shall be used only when weather conditions so demand.
• e)Lights whose power and forward light projection, adjustment conditions, luminous intensity, or quantity exceed the limits established by regulation may not be used.
• f)Motor vehicles such as mopeds (bicimoto), motorcycles (motocicleta), and UTVs must keep their regulatory lights on twenty-four hours a day while in motion.

When approaching a road intersection where one does not have the right of way, the driver shall proceed as follows:

• a)If it is an access controlled by the red light of a traffic light, the driver shall stop their vehicle completely at the stop line that is demarcated. If such a line does not exist, the driver shall stop near the road they are about to cross but without obstructing cross traffic.
• b)In the event of turning right and if traffic on the road with a green light permits it, the driver may turn as if it were an intersection regulated by a fixed stop sign. However, the Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito may prohibit a right turn on red at sites where technically justified, in which case it shall place the fixed signage so indicating.
• c)After twenty-two hundred hours and before five hundred hours, if traffic on the road with a green light permits it, the driver may continue through as if it were an intersection regulated by a fixed stop sign. However, the Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito may prohibit this option of proceeding through on red at sites where technically justified, in which case it shall place the fixed signage so indicating.
• d)When the green traffic light grants the right of way or when turning right on red, the driver shall yield the right of way to all pedestrians and cyclists who are on the roadway.
• e)The yellow light and the flashing green light of the traffic light indicate that the driver must decelerate to stop, if still far from the crossing point, or that, if very close to the crossing point, they must speed up without exceeding speed limits to clear the intersection zone.
• f)If it is a controlled access with a "stop" sign, the driver shall bring the vehicle to a complete stop at the stop line, even when there is sufficient visibility and no vehicle is traveling on the right-of-way road. If there is no stop line, the driver shall stop upon reaching the nearest point of the road to be crossed; to perform this maneuver, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on the roadway or to vehicles that, due to their speed or proximity, are traveling on the priority roads.
• g)At intersections marked with a "yield" sign, the driver must reduce speed so as to be able to observe the traffic approaching from the other roads. If a vehicle is approaching that, due to its proximity or speed, may endanger traffic safety, the driver must bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
• h)Emergency vehicles traveling in response to an incident of this nature, using the corresponding warning devices, may proceed through an intersection with a red traffic light or a stop sign, but not before verifying that there is no vehicular traffic on the intersecting roads.

The following shall have right-of-way over other vehicles:

• a)Vehicles traveling on rails.
• b)Traffic regulation by an inspector.
• c)Authorized emergency vehicles, provided they identify themselves by visual and audible signals and comply with the pertinent legal and regulatory provisions, as long as they are traveling in response to an emergency.
• d)Vehicles traveling on a primary road, in relation to those traveling on a secondary road, and those traveling on a secondary road, in relation to those traveling on a tertiary road.
• e)As a supplementary rule, when two drivers approach an intersection from different roads and there is no sign giving priority to either of them and both roads are of the same type, the driver approaching from the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on their right.
• f)Vehicles regulated by a traffic light, in relation to those regulated by a stop sign.
• g)Vehicles regulated by a "yield" sign, in relation to those regulated by a "stop" sign.
• h)Vehicles turning left from the main road over those on the two secondary approaches at intersections with two approaches controlled by a fixed stop sign. Vehicles continuing straight, from the secondary approaches, have priority over those turning left from those same approaches.
• i)Vehicles continuing straight, from the secondary approaches, have priority over those turning left from those same approaches.

When approaching any roundabout, drivers must proceed according to the following provisions:

• a)Within a roundabout, the maximum speed permitted is thirty kilometers per hour (30 km/h).
• b)The vehicle about to enter the roundabout must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle circulating inside, entering only when a safe maneuver is permitted.
• c)To enter the roundabout, each vehicle shall position itself in the respective access lane, according to the vertical signage established by the Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito. Said signage shall be regulated by regulation.
• d)Changing lanes within the roundabout is not permitted, except during entry and exit maneuvers.
• e)Overtaking another vehicle within the roundabout is not permitted.
• f)If leaving the roundabout by the first exit, the vehicle must position itself in the outer right lane.
• g)To leave the roundabout by the second exit, the vehicle may position itself in the inner lanes.
• h)If leaving the roundabout by the third exit or any subsequent exit, the vehicle must position itself in the inner or extreme left lane.

The use of this lane shall be governed by the following provisions:

• a)This lane may not be used for through traffic or for passing another vehicle.
• b)Vehicles needing to make a left turn must position themselves within this center lane and wait for an adequate gap to perform the maneuver safely.
• c)To enter the center left-turn lane from a side road or private property, one must cross the roadway and take refuge in the center lane, provided this maneuver can be performed safely. To enter the normal traffic lanes, one must verify that there are no conflicts with vehicles on the arterial road and in the center lane.
• d)This marking does not permit "U" turns.
• e)This lane shall be used by emergency vehicles traveling in response to an event of this nature, which shall be evidenced by the activation of the warning devices with which said vehicles are equipped.

The maneuver of overtaking a vehicle must be carried out under the following considerations:

• a)Use the rear-view mirrors to perform a safe maneuver, making sure that no vehicle behind has initiated the maneuver.
• b)Ensure that the left side of the road is clearly visible. Oncoming traffic must be at a sufficient distance to allow overtaking without obstructing or endangering other vehicles, including bicycles, if any.
• c)Use the regulatory turn signal lights to announce and perform the maneuver, always overtaking on the left of the vehicle traveling ahead.
• d)Do not overtake another vehicle that has stopped in front of a pedestrian crossing zone.
• e)It is prohibited to overtake another vehicle or vehicles traveling at the maximum permitted speed.
• f)It is prohibited to overtake in places where road signage stipulates it, as well as at intersections, railway crossings, and in all circumstances that may endanger the safety of persons and other vehicles. Exempted from this provision are emergency vehicles that, in response to an incident of this nature, must prudently overtake in these sectors.
• g)Drivers of moped-type vehicles and motorcycle-type vehicles are prohibited from overtaking between rows of vehicles at a speed greater than twenty-five kilometers per hour (25 km/h). Exempted from the application of this subsection are traffic police officers and other police officers driving a motorcycle in the performance of their duties.
• h)It is prohibited to travel on sidewalks. Exempted from the application of this subsection are traffic police officers and other police officers driving a motorcycle in the performance of their duties.
• i)To overtake a cyclist, a minimum distance of one meter fifty centimeters (1.50m) must be respected between the vehicle and the bicycle. To perform said maneuver, speed must be reduced, and the opposite lane must be partially or totally invaded, just as is done with any other vehicle, always respecting vertical and horizontal signage, and ensuring that no other vehicle is coming in the opposite direction, including pedestrians and cyclists.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by subsection b) of Article 17 of the Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, No. 9660 of February 24, 2019) The driver of a vehicle about to be overtaken on the left shall keep to the extreme right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase speed until they have been completely overtaken.

Vehicles are permitted to travel in reverse, only in indispensable cases and over short stretches no greater than fifty meters (50 m), provided due precaution is taken.

Every parked vehicle must keep the emergency brake activated. In addition, cargo vehicles over two tons must be chocked with the regulatory wheel chocks. In urban areas, the vehicle's tires must be no more than thirty centimeters (30cm) from the edge of the sidewalk.

It is prohibited to park a vehicle under the following conditions:

• a)In front of any entrance or exit of educational facilities, hospitals, clinics, fire stations or Red Cross, private or public parking lots, and garages. Likewise, at premises or buildings while shows or sporting, religious, or social activities are taking place, provided they are identified for the information of the general public.
• b)On roadways or on sidewalks, boulevards, parks, green areas, and in any area enabled for pedestrian mobility in a way that impedes free transit, affects visibility, or endangers the safety of others.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 21 of the law Ley Movilidad peatonal, No. 9976 of April 9, 2021)

• c)In places indicated expressly as such or marked with a yellow stripe, unless the prohibition is limited to a specific time period.
• d)At a distance of less than five meters (5 m) from a fire hydrant or pedestrian crossing zones, less than ten meters (10 m) from an intersection of urban roads, or less than twenty-five meters (25 m) from an intersection of non-urban roads.
• e)On the top of a slope or on a curve.
• f)On public roads, except for special reasons, in which case the driver shall place their vehicle off the roadway, signaling their presence by means of hazard lights and luminous or retroreflective devices, in accordance with this law and its regulation. If there is no shoulder, the driver must park it in the safest place.
• g)Using a bike path (ciclovía), bike lane (carril-bici), protected bike lane (carril-bici protegido), or sidewalk bike lane (acera-bici) for motor vehicle traffic, for parking, making repairs, loading and unloading goods and persons, or for any other use not stipulated in the definitions for these devices.
• h)In violation of the requirements established in Article 43 of Law No. 7600, Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, of May 2, 1996, and its regulation, when parking in spaces designated for vehicles of persons with disabilities. Said reserved spaces must be duly marked and indicate the law, in case they are used without the corresponding identification.
• i)Trucks, buses, or other vehicles having a gross vehicle weight of more than two tons are prohibited from parking on urban and suburban roads, except when they are at authorized stops for such purpose or in authorized loading and unloading zones.
• j)In loading and unloading zones, except as indicated in subsection i) of Article 114 of this law, for light-duty or heavy-duty cargo vehicles, provided they remain in the authorized zone for the time determined by the competent body of the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT).

Authorized emergency vehicles are exempted when acting by reason of their functions, provided they identify themselves by visual or audible signals.

Non-compliance with the preceding provisions empowers the traffic authority to remove the vehicle when the driver is not present, or to compel the driver to remove it, without prejudice to the respective fine.

(Thus reformed by Article 3 of law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

Slow-moving vehicles are subject to the following regulations:

• a)It is prohibited to travel at a speed so low as to impede the free flow of traffic, except in the case of funeral vehicles, vehicles participating in authorized parades, or in cases where required by road, traffic, or visibility conditions.
• b)They must yield the right-of-way to faster vehicles.
• c)When several slow-moving vehicles travel one behind the other, they must maintain sufficient space between them. Under no circumstances may this distance be less than fifty meters (50 m), to allow other vehicles traveling at higher speed to perform the passing maneuver safely and without mishap.
• d)On public roads with two lanes for both directions, where passing is unsafe due to traffic in the opposite direction or other conditions, a slow-moving vehicle, cargo vehicle, or passenger vehicle behind which a queue of three or more vehicles forms must pull off the road at places designated as turnouts by vertical signage, to allow unimpeded passage for the vehicles in the queue.

Limited-load transport vehicles are governed by the following special provisions:

• a)Only cargo vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight of five tons, including double-cab passenger vehicles, may engage in this activity.
• b)Only the number of persons indicated on the certificate of ownership shall be permitted in the vehicle.
• c)The Executive Branch shall regulate the use of these vehicles, including the insurance provisions they must comply with and the cases in which the transport of a greater number of persons is required. In the event of improper use of the granted permit, the competent body of the MOPT shall suspend or cancel it.

For vehicles providing vehicle transport or towing by crane or platform mode authorized by the MOPT, the following special provisions apply:

• a)The competent body of the MOPT shall issue the permits for providing this service, and the driver's code it issues must be displayed in a visible place.

The authorization and regulation of rates shall be issued by the MOPT based on technical studies, according to the mileage required to tow the vehicle and other data it deems appropriate.

Cranes shall not travel searching for vehicles to tow but shall submit to the stops established by the competent body of the MOPT, where they will be called by those interested in the service. It is prohibited to charge a rate higher than the authorized rate.

• b)Vehicles engaged in this activity must carry the logbook, numbered and sealed by the CTP. The data that each entry in this logbook must contain shall be regulated via regulation. The crane driver must deliver to the driver of the towed vehicle the signed duplicate containing all the data stipulated therein; this document shall constitute full proof against the crane driver and owner, in case of violation of these provisions.

The logbook may be demanded at any time by the traffic authorities. Failure to carry it shall result in the cancellation of the authorization granted, without prejudice to the fine established in subsection i) of Article 145 of this law. When the book is completed, it shall be delivered and filed at the CTP, in order to withdraw the next one.

• c)Carry the lights and accessories stipulated in this law and its regulation. These accessories may only be used when performing the crane service.
• d)In the event of traffic accidents, they may not move vehicles without the prior authorization of the competent authority, except in the cases established in Article 168 of this law.

When engaged in their activity, they must comply with the rules established in this law and its regulation for all vehicles.

Drivers of light-duty and heavy-duty cargo vehicles must comply with the following provisions:

• a)The load must be well secured and conditioned.
• b)The load must not obstruct the driver's visibility nor hinder the vehicle's operation.
• c)The load must be transported in such a way that it does not cause inconvenience by coming loose or hindering the transit of other vehicles. Light-duty or heavy-duty cargo drivers transporting stones, sand, ballast, quarry derivatives, and construction debris on national or municipal roads are obligated to cover the load with an adequate device to prevent material from becoming detached.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 12 of law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

• d)The load must not hide the vehicle's lights or the license plate number.
• e)All accessories used to condition or protect the load must meet the regulatory safety conditions.
• f)Any load that protrudes from the rear, front, or side of the vehicle must be signaled with red flags and with light-projecting devices during the night. The load must not make contact with the road.
• g)The circulation of heavy cargo vehicles in urban and suburban areas must adhere to the regulation for transit routes issued by the MOPT.
• h)In exceptional cases of indivisible loads, the circulation of vehicles with excess load or permitted dimensions is allowed, provided they comply with the regulation and the necessary permits granted by the competent body of the MOPT.
• i)They may only load and unload in accordance with the schedules and places agreed upon by the competent body of the MOPT.
• j)Vehicles over four thousand kilograms must submit to weighing at the stations designated for such purpose.
• k)Heavy cargo vehicles must carry the weight and dimensions card, issued by the competent body of the MOPT, as established by regulation.

The circulation on public roads of vehicles exceeding the load permitted by the respective regulation is prohibited, except as provided in subsection h) of this article. Cargo vehicle drivers who violate this provision are obligated to transfer or rearrange the corresponding load, in accordance with what is indicated in the respective regulation. If what is provided in this paragraph is not carried out, the respective fine shall be applied.

Likewise, the departure from ports of vehicles exceeding the permitted load is prohibited. Vehicle drivers who violate this provision are obligated to unload the excess, in accordance with what is indicated in the respective regulation. When the load has been received closed with security devices, the obligation to unload the excess shall correspond to the owners or those responsible for the load in the country, in accordance with the bill of lading.

Motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers transporting hazardous materials or explosives must comply with the following rules:

• a)Have the approved document accrediting the semi-annual technical inspection.
• b)Carry a permit issued by the competent body of the MOPT.
• c)Submit to the schedules, routes, and other regulations dictated by the competent body of the MOPT.
• d)Comply with the provisions of the regulation of this law.

Vehicles with loudspeakers must comply with the following regulations:

• a)Have a permit issued by the competent body of the MOPT.
• b)It is prohibited to operate the loudspeakers from nineteen hundred hours (7:00 p.m.) to seven hundred hours (7:00 a.m.) the following day, except with a permit issued by the competent body of the MOPT.
• c)It is prohibited to operate the loudspeakers at a distance of less than one hundred meters from clinics and hospitals, as well as from educational centers and churches, when activities are being carried out in these places.
• d)Comply with all provisions of this law and its regulations.

MOTORCYCLES, UTVs

Drivers and passengers of the vehicles indicated in this chapter must comply with the following provisions:

• a)Wear a safety helmet in accordance with the requirements stipulated in the regulation of this law.
• b)They are prohibited from carrying packages, bundles, or objects that limit freedom of movement when driving the vehicle.
• c)Refrain from hanging onto another moving vehicle on public roads.
• d)Wear retroreflective clothing, both when the vehicle is in motion and when stopping to make a repair on the shoulder or at the edge of the road.
• e)They may not transport children under five years of age as passengers.

The MOPT and local governments must provide the conditions that allow and promote the use and enjoyment of the bicycle as a means of transportation, sport, leisure, and recreation. Likewise, they must build bike paths (ciclovías) in places where their need is technically justified.

The MOPT shall establish programs to:

• a)Raise awareness among drivers and cyclists about their obligation to share the public road and comply with the established rules.
• b)Promote adequate places to park bicycles in public buildings.
• c)Encourage the public to use the bicycle in zones for its exclusive use.
• d)Assist local governments in enabling routes at the cantonal level, during Sundays and holidays, for the practice of cycling, without prejudice to other physical and recreational activities that may be developed on them. Once the route is authorized by the competent body, it must be guaranteed that it is not used by motor vehicles during the time it is enabled for recreational purposes.

Cyclists must:

• a)Ride with due care and caution on public roads.
• b)Ensure that their bicycle is in optimal condition to transit on the public road.
• c)Carry an identification document and ride on the right side of the road lane.
• d)When overtaking a slower-moving vehicle, it must be done on the left side of the lane.
• e)Ride on public roads where the permitted speed is not equal to or greater than eighty kilometers per hour (80 km/h), if there are interventions for cyclist safety such as bike paths (ciclovías), segregated bike paths, or alternate routes suitable for their use, or in the case of special activities authorized by the Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by subsection c) of Article 17 of the Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, No. 9660 of February 24, 2019) f) The cyclist may ride in the center of the lane, to guarantee their own safety.

The competent authorities may remove these devices from circulation, and their return shall only be made to the owner or authorized third party, once the respective fine has been paid. Persons under fifteen years of age must be accompanied by their parents or guardians for the process.

(Thus reformed the preceding subsection by subsection c) of Article 17 of the Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, No. 9660 of February 24, 2019) g) No more than one person may ride on a bicycle, unless the vehicle is designed for this purpose; passengers must be over three years of age. In addition, both must use the safety helmet and vest, without prejudice to other additional protective devices.

• h)They may not ride on sidewalks.
• i)It is prohibited to hang onto another moving vehicle.
• j)Minors under six years of age must be accompanied by persons over fifteen years of age when riding bicycles or tricycles on public roads.
• k)Learning to ride bicycles on public roads is prohibited.
• l)The driver must wear retroreflective clothing.
• m)Use the exclusive bicycle lane, whenever one is available.

Every pedestrian must carry an identity document, behave in such a way that does not endanger other persons, as well as comply with the traffic rules and signs applicable to them, and obey the instructions of the traffic authorities.

Pedestrians are obligated to comply with the following indications:

• a)Pedestrian traffic on public roads shall be conducted outside the zones designated for vehicle traffic.
• b)In urban areas, they shall walk on sidewalks and cross streets at corners, marked crossing zones, or grade-separated pedestrian crossings.
• c)They shall walk on the left side of public roads according to the direction of their travel, when there are no sidewalks or available space.
• d)It is prohibited to walk on restricted-access public roads or on railway tracks, as well as to perform acts of juggling, circus acts, begging, or any other nature, including sales or lucrative activities.
• e)It is prohibited to carry elements that may obstruct or affect traffic.

It is prohibited to drive a vehicle in contravention of the rules established by vertical or horizontal road signage, to drive over the channelizing islands marked on the roadway, as well as to travel in the left lane of the roadway or fail to respect the barrier line. It is permitted to make "U" turns and left turns, except in places where horizontal or vertical signage prohibits it.

Likewise, it is prohibited to alter the official devices and signs for traffic control, as well as to damage them, remove them without authorization, or give them an unauthorized use.

The following vehicles may not circulate:

• a)Those that have in their structure, bodywork, tires, rims, attachments, or sharp elements that constitute a sharp angle or a dangerous protuberance.
• b)Those whose odometer has been modified.
• c)Those with the steering wheel located on the right side.
• d)Those with windshields that have mirror-type or limousine-type tinting, except factory tinting that allows one hundred percent (100%) visibility from inside to outside and vice versa, or if they are sun strips whose measurements shall be established by regulation. This provision does not apply to what is provided by the Consejo de Transporte Público, in relation to the labeling and user information that paid passenger transport units must display.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by Article 4 of law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

• e)With mirror-type or limousine-type tinting on the side windows. Ambulances intended for patient transport and police-use vehicles are exempted.
• f)Bicycles that do not have a white or yellow light-projecting device illuminated towards the front, from six o'clock in the evening until six o'clock in the morning.
• g)Cargo vehicles whose capacity has been modified in such a way that it exceeds the gross vehicle weight specified in the technical data sheet of its manufacturer. These vehicles shall not be granted the weight and dimensions certificate issued by the competent body of the MOPT.
• h)Those that do not have the respective vehicle registration decal (marchamo), the circulation permit, the IVE, and the mandatory insurance certificate.
• i)Imported vehicles, contravening the provisions of Article 5 of this law.
• j)Vehicles declared a total loss, in accordance with Article 157 of this law.

(By resolution of the Sala Constitucional, No. 14253 of September 6, 2017, this article was interpreted to mean that the penalty provided for therein applies only to the driver who is the registered owner of the vehicle.)

The circulation on public roads of motor vehicles modified to increase their factory specifications, in terms of power, acceleration, and maximum speed, or to be used in speed competitions on public roads, is prohibited.

The driving of motor vehicles in speed competitions on public roads is prohibited.

(As added by Article 1 of the Law to regulate the loss of a driver's license as a traffic infraction for participating in motor vehicle races on public roads, No. 10402 of November 14, 2023)

The circulation, on public roads, of scooters and other self-propelled or non-self-propelled devices that are not explicitly authorized in this law or its regulation is prohibited.

The competent authorities may remove these devices from circulation, and their return shall only be made to the owner or authorized third party once the respective fine has been paid. Persons under fifteen years of age must be accompanied by their parents or guardians for the procedure.

Establishing stops or parking on curves, near bridges, or in dangerous places for users is prohibited. Likewise, in places designated by the regulation of this law.

All drivers are prohibited from using mobile phones and any other means or system of communication, unless they are used hands-free, with headsets, or similar instruments. Exempt from this prohibition are authorities and emergency service providers who, in the exercise of their duties, must carry out their communications, unless they are accompanied by another person who can handle these instruments.

Likewise, driving while carrying out activities other than those required for the proper operation of vehicles is prohibited.

Owners or drivers are prohibited from equipping vehicles with radar wave detection devices or any other equipment that allows them to evade or nullify the surveillance devices of the Transit Police.

Drivers are prohibited from entering an intersection with their vehicle, even with a green light or right-of-way, if due to traffic congestion the free circulation of other users thereof is obstructed, as well as stopping on horizontal markings or in the middle of the intersection.

The use of the horn and other sound devices is prohibited under the following circumstances:

• a)To rush the driver of the preceding vehicle at intersections regulated by traffic lights, fixed signs, or a traffic inspector.
• b)At a distance of less than one hundred meters from hospitals, clinics, churches, and educational centers, provided activities are being carried out at the latter. Emergency vehicles responding to an incident of this nature are exempt from this restriction.

Using a vehicle for purposes other than those stated on its ownership certificate or in a manner that entirely contravenes its nature is prohibited.

Closing, totally or partially, public roads or using them for purposes other than the circulation of pedestrians or vehicles is prohibited, unless it proceeds by virtue of prior written permission granted by the General Directorate of Traffic Engineering, in the case of the national road network, or the corresponding municipality's authorization is obtained for the use of these spaces, in the case of the cantonal road network. In the case of roads under municipal jurisdiction, a formal communication from the municipality to the General Directorate of Transit shall suffice for proper coordination.

For sporting events on land public roads, the provisions set forth in special law shall apply. Likewise, occupying urban and suburban public roads is prohibited for:

• a)The construction of stages or stands on the occasion of popular festivals, patron saint festivals, or other celebrations.
• b)Being used as a permanent place for vehicle repair or other tasks that obstruct free traffic.
• c)The construction of public and private works on the surface of a right-of-way that does not meet the minimum safety conditions established in this law and its regulation. Exempted from this provision is the temporary closure of a road warranted for attending to incidents in which emergency response teams must participate.

The General Directorate of Traffic Engineering, after conducting the pertinent studies, is empowered to close roads whose closure is determined to be convenient for public interests.

(As amended by Article 14 of the open-air commerce law, No. 10126 of January 25, 2022)

The permanent abandonment of any motor vehicle on public roads is prohibited.

In the event of breakdowns, drivers must take the appropriate measures to have the vehicle removed as soon as possible, which shall not exceed forty-eight hours, provided it is off the roadway and meets the requirements established in this law and its regulation.

After this period, if the vehicle has license plates, the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) or the municipal police must proceed with its removal. If it does not have its respective license plates, the municipality of the corresponding canton, in compliance with Law 8839, Law for Integrated Waste Management, of June 24, 2010, after a declaration of abandonment through an administrative process, may dispose of it.

(As amended by Article 2 of the law Expansion of municipal competencies in the regulation of material collection centers and the collection of abandoned vehicles within cantons, No. 10599 of November 11, 2024)

The circulation of motor vehicles on the country's beaches is prohibited, with the following exceptions:

• a)When the General Directorate of Traffic Engineering authorizes it.
• b)To launch or retrieve boats from the sea.
• c)In cases of emergencies or when an action is required to protect human lives.
• d)In the case of vehicles that enter the beach to load products from fishing or to carry out other work activities duly authorized by the competent authority, in accordance with the purposes of the public zone, as established in Law No. 6043, Law on the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone, of March 2, 1977, and its amendments.

The Permanent Driver Evaluation System consists of the accumulation of points based on committed infractions, to establish a performance control mechanism for the execution of corrective measures aimed at amending behavior and promoting conduct that strengthens road safety.

At the time the license is issued, each driver shall be informed of the points they may accumulate for committed infractions and the consequences of the accumulation process, which shall be established according to the license validity range, in accordance with the following provisions:

• a)If the license is issued with a validity of six years, the driver may accumulate a maximum of twelve points during this period.
• b)If the license is issued with a validity of four years, the driver may accumulate a maximum of eight points during this period.
• c)If the license is issued with a validity of three years, the driver may accumulate a maximum of six points during this period.

Points shall be accumulated automatically in the driver's file in the following cases:

• a)A driver convicted by final judgment for committing the crimes typified in articles 117 and 128, 261 bis subsections b) and c) of the Penal Code, Law 4573, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments, shall accumulate twelve points. In the case of conviction for minor injuries, in accordance with article 125 of the same Code, no points shall be accumulated, without prejudice to what the criminal judge orders regarding the driver's disqualification. The corresponding judicial authority shall notify the competent body of the finality of the judgment for control purposes, which shall be automatically recorded in the driver's file, and a record of the total accumulated must be made.
• b)A driver who violates the provisions of article 123 bis of this law shall accumulate twelve points, once the citation ticket is final.
• c)A driver who has committed any of the category A infractions of this law, and who, by disregarding the stop signal at the railway right-of-way, collides with the train or any of its cars, shall accumulate six points.
• d)A driver who has committed any of the category B infractions of this law shall accumulate four points.

(As amended by Article 2 of the Law to regulate the loss of a driver's license as a traffic infraction for participating in motor vehicle races on public roads, No. 10402 of November 14, 2023)

The accumulation of points shall apply to the driver when definitively decided in administrative or jurisdictional channels, in accordance with the provisions of this law. The accumulation of points shall be recorded in the driver's file automatically, and a record of the total accumulated must be made.

In the case of learner drivers or those who drive without proper accreditation or with a suspended license, the accumulation of points corresponding to the infraction shall be applied at the time the driver's license is issued.

If the citation ticket that caused the cancellation of the accreditation due to the accumulation of the total allowed points was not challenged, Cosevi shall communicate this consequence to the interested party at the electronic road address or at the place indicated for receiving notifications when the ticket was issued, which shall be incorporated into the driver's file. This communication is merely informative and shall not have any appeal in administrative channels. If no address was indicated and no electronic road address is available, notification shall be deemed made within twenty-four hours after the corresponding resolution is issued.

A driver who partially accumulates the allowed points may deduct half of the points assigned for each infraction committed by completing hours of community work and completing road awareness and re-education courses.

The Executive Branch shall regulate community work and road awareness and re-education courses, in accordance with articles 140 and 141 of this law.

The accumulation of the total allowed points shall affect the validity of all the offender's driver's licenses, whatever their class and type.

A driver whose license has lost validity as a result of the accumulation of the total allowed points may not re-qualify to drive until twelve months have elapsed. This period shall be reduced to six months if the driver reliably demonstrates, by suitable means before Cosevi, that they depend on driving motor vehicles as a means of subsistence for their employment.

If the re-qualified driver accumulates the total allowed points for a second time, they may not obtain a new driver's license until twenty-four months have elapsed, counted from the firmness of the sanction. This period shall be thirty-six months after a third and subsequent infractions. The foregoing is without prejudice to related sanctions.

When the suspension of the license, due to the accumulation of the total allowed points, corresponds to the breach of the prohibition contained in article 123 bis of this law, the period for re-qualification of the license shall be thirty-six months.

In the event of disqualification from driving declared in a criminal sentence, the provisions ordered by the corresponding jurisdictional authority shall be followed.

The suspension of a license, declared administratively, or the disqualification from driving, declared judicially, shall extend to any type of driver's license held by the offender.

(As amended by Article 2 of the Law to regulate the loss of a driver's license as a traffic infraction for participating in motor vehicle races on public roads, No. 10402 of November 14, 2023)

The driver may re-qualify to drive in all previous cases, once the corresponding suspension period has elapsed, or after completing the hours of community work, following compliance with the following requirements:

• a)A road awareness and re-education course.
• b)An addiction treatment program for controlling the consumption of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic substances, or enervating drugs, if applicable.
• c)A program for controlling violent behaviors and psychological treatment, if applicable.

In each case, the activity to be completed, as well as its duration and content, shall be determined by Cosevi, according to the offender's conduct.

The aforementioned courses and programs must be taught by public or private entities authorized by Cosevi. Their content, duration, and other requirements shall be determined by regulation.

A non-recidivist driver whose license has lost validity as a result of accumulating the total allowed points may obtain it before the expiration of the suspension period, after completing hours of community work; with the exception of those who lost all points for participating in races on public roads, in which case the period established in Article 139 for license re-qualification must be fulfilled, and no alternative measure to the lapse of the suspension period may be applied.

The Executive Branch shall establish by regulation the institutions or organizations that may certify the hours worked, the number of hours required according to the conduct, and the mechanisms to regulate compliance and other conditions associated with the application of the measure.

(As amended by Article 2 of the Law to regulate the loss of a driver's license as a traffic infraction for participating in motor vehicle races on public roads, No. 10402 of November 14, 2023)

Cosevi shall adopt the appropriate measures to provide license holders with immediate access to their balance of points, through an electronic file for each driver authorized to operate the motor vehicles defined in this law, in which points shall be recorded accurately and in an updated manner, without prejudice to any criminal or civil sanctions that may apply to the infractions described in this law.

Cosevi, in coordination with the corresponding competent entities, shall establish an agile and efficient system that allows employers of professional drivers to learn in a timely manner about the license suspensions, loss of accreditation to drive, and the amount of points accumulated by these persons. In the case of public passenger transport drivers, Cosevi shall coordinate with the CTP to provide it access to this information and thus guarantee the protection of the public interest involved.

A fine of two hundred eighty thousand colones (¢280,000) shall be imposed, without prejudice to related sanctions, on anyone who engages in any of the following conducts:

• a)On anyone who drives under the influence of alcoholic beverages under the following conditions of alcohol concentration in blood or breath:
• i)Greater than zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) per liter of blood and up to zero point seventy-five grams (0.75 g) per liter of blood, or greater than zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) and up to zero point thirty-eight milligrams (0.38 mg) in breath; in both cases for any type of driver.
• ii)Greater than zero point twenty grams (0.20 g) up to zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) of alcohol per liter of blood, or greater than zero point ten milligrams (0.10 mg) up to zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) per liter of blood in breath; in both cases for professional drivers and for those drivers with a driver's license issued for the first time within a period of less than three years.

(Sinalevi Note: By Article 3 of the Law to improve the effectiveness of legislation on alcohol and drug control in driving, No. 10860 of February 27, 2026, the previous subsection a) will be amended. In accordance with Transitory Provision III of the aforementioned law, it shall come into force twelve months after its publication, i.e., on March 28, 2027, so from that date said subsection shall read as follows: "a) On anyone who drives with the presence of alcohol in the body above the permitted limits or under the influence of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites.

In the event of finding the presence of alcohol in the body through measurement testing, the following conditions of alcohol concentration in blood or breath shall apply:

• i)Greater than zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) per liter of blood and up to zero point seventy-five grams (0.75 g) per liter of blood, or greater than zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) and up to zero point thirty-eight milligrams (0.38 mg) in breath; in both cases for any type of driver.
• ii)Greater than zero point twenty grams (0.20 g) up to zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) of alcohol per liter of blood, or greater than zero point ten milligrams (0.10 mg) up to zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) per liter of blood in breath; in both cases for professional drivers and for those drivers with a driver's license issued for the first time within a period of less than three years.") b) On a driver who travels on any public road at a speed exceeding one hundred twenty kilometers per hour, provided it is not an illegal speed competition known as "piques," which are addressed in Article 261 bis of Law 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970.

(As amended the previous subsection by Article 1 of Law No. 10943 of May 12, 2026)

• c)On anyone who drives with a license that has been suspended for infractions of this law.
• d)On the driver who overtakes on curves, intersections, railway crossings, bridges, tunnels, overpasses, using the shoulder, or on the right side.
• e)On the driver who encroaches upon the adjacent lane separated by a continuous barrier line, with the exception of what is established in Article 100.
• f)On the driver who violates the prohibition of U-turns and left turns in places with vertical and horizontal signage.
• g)On the driver who refuses to comply with the requirement of Article 208 of this law to submit to an alcohol test.

(The previous subsection was added by Article 5 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

(Sinalevi Note: By Article 3 of the Law to improve the effectiveness of legislation on alcohol and drug control in driving, No. 10860 of February 27, 2026, the previous subsection g) will be amended. In accordance with Transitory Provision III of the aforementioned law, it shall come into force twelve months after its publication, i.e., on March 28, 2027, so from that date said subsection shall read as follows: "g) On the driver who refuses to comply with the requirement of Article 208 of this law to undergo the procedures indicated in said rule, for the detection of alcohol above the permitted limits or of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites in vehicle operation.") h) Producing noise or emissions of gases, fumes, or polluting particles that exceed the established limits, in accordance with Article 38 and Article 39 of this law.

(The previous subsection was added by Article 5 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

• i)On the driver who performs maneuvers with a motor or assisted vehicle on land public roads or operates it in a manner other than the natural or technical way to do so, or allows their passenger(s) to do so; actions for which no other sanction exists in this law.

(The previous subsection was added by Article 2 of Law No. 10943 of May 12, 2026)

(Sinalevi Note: By circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, these fines shall come into force as of January 1, 2026, so from that date the new amounts shall be as follows:

Category A Fines

)

A fine of one hundred eighty-nine thousand colones (¢189,000) shall be imposed, without prejudice to related sanctions, on anyone who engages in any of the following conducts:

• a)On the driver who allows persons under twelve years of age who measure less than 1.45 meters in height not to use special safety devices.
• b)On anyone who drives a vehicle transporting hazardous materials, infringing the provisions of Article 115 of this law.
• c)On the driver of motorcycle and moped-type vehicles who allows persons under five years of age to travel as passengers on those motor vehicles, infringing subsection e) of Article 117 of this law.
• d)On the driver who disregards the stop signal at an intersection.
• e)On the driver who disregards the red light stop signal of a traffic light, except for the exceptions set forth in Article 104 of this law.
• f)On the driver who operates a vehicle with plates that registrally belong to another vehicle, or with altered or false plates.
• g)On the driver who travels more than forty kilometers per hour (40 km/h) over the established maximum limit, unless a higher sanction exists.
• h)On the driver who, by disregarding the stop signal at the railway right-of-way, damages in any way the devices placed as a warning and prevention system for approaching trains.

(The previous subsection was added by Article 3 of Law No. 9680 of April 22, 2019)

(Sinalevi Note: By circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, these fines shall come into force as of January 1, 2026, so from that date the new amounts shall be as follows:

Category B Fines

)

A fine of ninety-four thousand colones (¢94,000) shall be imposed, without prejudice to related sanctions, on anyone who engages in any of the following conducts:

• a)On anyone who drives heavy cargo vehicles in urban and suburban areas not authorized by the MOPT.
• b)On the driver who operates a vehicle with excess load on public roads, except as provided in subsection h) and the final paragraphs of Article 114.
• c)On anyone who drives motor vehicles on public roads that are modified or adapted, in contravention of Article 122 of this law.
• d)On the vehicle owner whose vehicle is put into circulation without the required retroreflective devices.
• e)To the driver who fails to comply with the routes and stops established by the CTP for public transport vehicles, except in cases of fortuitous event or force majeure.
• f)To the driver of public transport vehicles with excess passengers according to the capacity set by the CTP.
• g)To the driver of public transport service vehicles who transports passengers in the area marked at the entrance and exit, in contravention of subsection a) of Article 51 of this law.
• h)To the driver who circulates with a vehicle without the required lights on, from six in the evening until six in the morning, or on occasions when visibility is difficult.
• i)To the driver of vehicles used for towing in the crane or platform modality who fails to comply with the provisions established in Article 113 of this law.
• j)To the owner of a public transport service vehicle in the taxi modality that does not carry a taximeter, or if it is altered.
• k)To the driver of a public transport service in the taxi modality who does not use the taximeter when transporting passengers.
• l)To the driver who overtakes, availing themselves of the right-of-way priority granted to emergency vehicles.
• m)To the driver who circulates on sidewalks with motor vehicles.
• n)To the driver who overtakes another vehicle that has stopped in front of a pedestrian crossing zone.
• ñ)To the driver who violates the driving rules provided in Article 126 of the law, regarding the use of a mobile phone, as well as any other means or system of communication while driving, unless they are used hands-free, and the performance of activities other than those required for proper driving.
• o)To the person who drives without having obtained the driver's license required for the type and class of vehicle driven or a temporary learning permit, or drives with a temporary permit without the proper accompanying driver.

(Subsection o) thus amended by Article 6 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) p) To the driver who circulates at a speed exceeding twenty-five kilometers per hour (25 km/h) on public roads located around educational facilities with students present, health centers, care centers for older adults, or places where massive activities or gatherings are taking place, provided these are duly identified to inform the general public.

• q)To anyone who drives without using the seat belt.
• r)To the driver who allows passengers not to use the seat belt.
• s)To the driver who does not use a properly fastened safety helmet on motorcycle and moped-type vehicles.
• t)To the driver who allows a passenger to ride without using a properly fastened safety helmet on motorcycle and moped-type vehicles.
• u)To the driver who circulates more than thirty kilometers per hour (30 km/h) over the established maximum limit, unless a higher penalty exists.
• v)To the driver of public transport vehicles, in any of its modalities, who refuses to provide service to older adults or persons with disabilities.
• w)To the driver of moped and motorcycle-type vehicles who overtakes between lanes of vehicles at a speed exceeding twenty-five kilometers per hour (25 km/h), except for the exception provided in subsection g) of Article 108.
• x)To the driver who circulates at a speed below the minimum established on the respective section, with the proven purpose of causing congestion or hindering the free flow of traffic.
• y)To the owner of a vehicle who uses it to provide public transport service, in any of its modalities, without the respective authorizations. The same penalty shall apply to the driver who, not being the owner of the vehicle used, provides public transport service, in any of its modalities, without the respective authorizations.
• z)To anyone who circulates evading controls or the stop signal on the railway right-of-way (derecho de vía ferroviario), as well as to anyone who parks or obstructs, with any type of vehicle, the railway right-of-way (derecho de vía ferroviario).

(Subsection z) thus amended by Article 2 of Law No. 9680 of April 22, 2019) aa) To the driver of a light cargo or heavy cargo vehicle who disobeys provisions a), b), c), d), e), f), and j) of Article 114 of this law.

(Subsection aa) thus added by Article 6 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) bb) To the driver with excess passengers, according to the maximum capacity of the vehicle.

(Subsection bb) thus added by Article 6 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) cc) To the driver who transports passengers outside the cabin in the trunk or cargo bed of the vehicle. With the exception of transporting workers for agricultural activities, maintenance of public services, emergency response, and the transport of persons on cantonal gravel or dirt roads.

(Subsection cc) thus added by Article 6 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) dd) To the driver who circulates a vehicle on roads and during days or hours when transit is restricted by a declared national emergency.

(Subsection dd) thus added by Article 3 of the Law Establishing Vehicle Restriction in Cases of Previously Decreed National Emergency, No. 9838 of April 3, 2020) (Note from Sinalevi: Through Circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, these fines will come into effect as of January 1, 2026, so from that date the new amounts will be as follows:

Category C Fines

)

A fine of forty-seven thousand colones (¢47,000) shall be imposed, without prejudice to related sanctions, on anyone who engages in any of the following conducts:

• a)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation with a device that allows evading or nullifying the surveillance equipment of the Traffic Police (Policía de Tránsito).
• b)To the driver who disrespects fixed traffic signs, vertical or horizontal, and the indications of the traffic authority, provided there is no different, higher penalty.

(Subsection b) thus amended by Article 7 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) c) To the driver who disrespects the right-of-way priorities, as established in Article 105 of this law.

• d)To the driver who fails to comply with the indications for circulation in roundabouts, indicated in Article 106 of this law.
• e)To the driver who fails to comply with the rules on the use of the central lane established in Article 107 of this law.
• f)To the driver who fails to comply with the maneuver signaling requirements established in subsection c) of Article 108 of this law.
• g)To the driver who fails to comply with the rules for the use of lights established in Article 103 of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.
• h)To the driver who circulates without retro-reflective clothing on motorcycle and moped-type vehicles.
• i)To the driver who violates the prohibitions for vehicle circulation established in Article 122 of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.

(By resolution of the Constitutional Chamber (Sala Constitucional), No. 14253 of September 6, 2017, the previous subsection was interpreted to mean that the penalty provided therein applies only to the driver who is the registered owner of the vehicle.)

• j)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation having had its engine, injection, carburetion, or emission control systems altered, as established on its VTI (IVE) card.
• k)To the driver who operates a taxi, special service, or stable special taxi service soliciting passengers in unauthorized areas.

(Subsection k) thus amended by Article 7 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) l) To the driver who provides stable special taxi service without the respective contract.

• m)To the driver who violates the rules on reversing maneuvers established in Article 109 of this law.
• n)To the driver who violates the parking rules established in Article 110 of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.
• ñ)To the driver who circulates vehicles on roads whose transit is restricted by provision of the Directorate General of Traffic Engineering (Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito).
• o)To the driver who circulates a public transport vehicle with the doors open during the route or allows passengers to get on or off in unauthorized areas.
• p)(Repealed by Article 13 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017) q) To the driver who circulates with a foreign license for more than three months after having entered the country.
• r)To the driver who enters an intersection, despite having a green light or right-of-way to do so, if vehicular congestion causes said maneuver to obstruct free circulation.
• s)To anyone who circulates with motor vehicles on beaches, except for the exceptions provided by law.
• t)To the driver of a public transport service vehicle who refuels when passengers are being transported.
• u)To the cyclist who circulates on public roads whose authorized speed is equal to or greater than eighty kilometers per hour (80 km/h).
• v)To the driver who circulates more than twenty kilometers per hour (20 km/h) over the established maximum limit, unless a higher penalty exists.
• w)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation without the VTI (IVE) for the corresponding period.
• x)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation without being up to date in the payment of circulation fees and mandatory vehicle insurance.

(Note from Sinalevi: Through Circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, these fines will come into effect as of January 1, 2026, so from that date the new amounts will be as follows:

Category D Fines

)

A fine of twenty thousand colones (¢20,000) shall be imposed, without prejudice to related sanctions, on anyone who engages in any of the following conducts:

• a)To the driver who causes injuries or damage to property in a negligent manner, provided that, due to the nature of the matter or its severity, other legislation is not applicable.
• b)To the owner of the limited cargo transport vehicle that is put into circulation infringing the requirements established in Article 112 of this law.
• c)To the driver who operates the vehicle's loudspeakers from seven o'clock in the evening to seven o'clock the following morning, except with permission granted by the MOPT for public interests.
• d)To the driver who operates the loudspeakers within one hundred meters of clinics and hospitals, as well as educational centers and churches, when activities are being held at these places.
• e)To anyone who drives a slow-moving vehicle at a distance of less than fifty meters from another slow-moving vehicle.
• f)To the driver who stops on horizontal road markings, except at a stop sign where visibility is insufficient to perform the advance maneuver.
• g)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation without the documents required in Article 4 of this law, or to the driver who does not have the respective driver's license, which it will not be necessary to carry physically, as the traffic officer may corroborate the existence of the permit by other means.

(Subsection g) thus amended by the sole article of the Law to Standardize Driver's Licenses Issued Abroad and Avoid Fines for Not Carrying Them Physically, No. 10591 of November 5, 2024) h) To the driver who holds onto another moving vehicle on public roads.

• i)To the driver who violates the overtaking rules established in Article 108 of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.
• j)To the driver who does not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in places where road signage so indicates.
• k)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation with the required license plates in a location other than that intended for them.
• l)To anyone who drives with an expired license or temporary learning permit.
• m)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation without the roadside safety implements required in Article 36 of this law.
• n)To the driver who evades the payment of toll fees or does not present proof of payment when requested by the traffic authority.
• ñ)To the driver who violates the provisions related to the vehicle restriction.
• o)To the driver who uses the horn and other sound devices to rush the driver of the preceding vehicle.
• p)To the driver who uses the horn at a distance of less than one hundred meters from hospitals, clinics, churches, and educational centers, provided that activities are being held at these latter places.
• q)To the driver who abusively uses other sound signals without justified cause.
• r)To the driver who causes traffic congestion by reducing speed to observe an accident or any other event.
• s)To anyone who drives a vehicle without license plates or with fewer plates than required by regulations.
• t)To the driver who uses preferential parking and does not meet the conditions provided in Article 96 of this law.
• u)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation when its registrable physical characteristics have been modified without complying with the duty to inform established in Article 13 of this law.
• v)To the owner of the vehicle that is put into circulation in breach of the circulation requirements established in Title II, Chapter I, Section V of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.
• w)To the owner of the public transport vehicle that is put into circulation without the markings required by this law.
• x)To anyone who teaches how to ride bicycles on public roads whose authorized speed is greater than forty kilometers per hour (40 km/h).
• y)To the cyclist who circulates on sidewalks.
• z)To anyone who circulates on public roads with scooters, skates, and other unauthorized vehicles, in accordance with Article 124 of this law.

aa) To the pedestrian who walks on public roads in contravention of subsections a), b), c), d), and e) of Article 120 of this law, provided there is no different, higher penalty.

(Note from Sinalevi: Through Circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of traffic fine amounts was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, these fines will come into effect as of January 1, 2026, so from that date the new amounts will be as follows:

Category E Fines

)

To update the amount of the fines established in this law, the year-on-year consumer price index (CPI) calculated by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC) as of June 30 of each year shall be used as a reference. The annual variation shall in no case be greater than fourteen percent (14%). This amount shall govern all fines for the following calendar year.

The Superior Council of the Judiciary shall issue and publish the corresponding table with the amount of fines that will govern for the following calendar year.

(Sinalevi Note: Through circular No. 220-2025 of November 20, 2025, and published in Judicial Bulletin No. 223 of November 26, 2025, the update of the amounts of traffic fines was published. In accordance with the aforementioned rule, such fines shall take effect as of January 1, 2026; therefore, as of that date the new amounts will be as follows:

FINE SCHEDULE LAW 9078 UPDATED EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 2026 Preferential parking spaces, in both public and private parking lots

Category A Fines

Category B Fines

Category C Fines

Category D Fines

Category E Fines

")

RESPECTIVE PENALTIES AND FINES

AND OWNERS

8481 of June 11, 2014, with the exception of its third paragraph insofar as it establishes obligations for legal entities that own vehicles, not directly related to the subject matter of this action.)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, legal entities must provide the up-to-date document of legal status, indicating in it the titles and the notice address of their legal representative; they shall be obligated to report any change or modification in their conditions or capacities submitted to the National Registry.

LICENSE PLATES, AND RETURN OF VEHICLES

The officer shall proceed to the temporary removal of a vehicle, to be taken to an authorized depot, in the following cases:

• a)When the driver engages in the conduct classified in article 254 bis(*), of the Criminal Code, Law No. 4573, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments.

(*) (Sinalevi Note: In accordance with the reform made by the Law on Computer Crimes and Related crimes, No. 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Criminal Code, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

• b)For category A violations, as established in subsections a), b), and i) of article 143 of this law.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by article 3 of law No. 10943 of May 12, 2026)

• c)When the vehicle is driven on a public road without being registered in the National Registry, except for the exceptions established by this law or in the regulation that authorizes it.
• d)When the vehicle is driven by someone who has a suspended license, of any type, or by someone who has not obtained a driver's license or a temporary learner's permit.
• e)When the vehicle obstructs public roads, the transit of vehicles and persons, sidewalks, bike lanes, or remains parked in front of public service stops, ramps or parking for persons with disabilities, fire hydrants, emergency exits or entrances, entrances to garages and public and private parking lots, without having the respective identification. Without prejudice to what is established in article 152 of this law, the removal from circulation of vehicles, under the foregoing circumstances, shall proceed only if the driver is not present or when the driver refuses to move it, except in the case of emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties.
• f)When the driver is physically incapacitated to drive.
• g)When the mechanical conditions of the vehicle prevent it from circulating, unless the driver or the owner arranges for private towing services.
• h)When the vehicle circulates without the regulatory license plates or with plates that do not correspond to the vehicle.
• i)When serious injury, death of persons, or considerable damage to third-party property is caused.
• j)When riding a bicycle on terrestrial roads where the permitted speed is eighty kilometers per hour (80 km/h) or greater.
• k)When the vehicle has been definitively abandoned on the public road.

In the case of infractions of the law punishable by a fixed fine, custody of the vehicle shall correspond to Cosevi; when dealing with conduct classified as a crime, custody shall correspond to the corresponding judicial authority.

The removal of the license plates by the traffic authority shall mean the immobilization of the vehicle and they shall only be returned by the Road Safety Council. When dealing with plates retained due to a traffic accident and they are at the order of the traffic court or the Public Ministry, a written authorization order for return, addressed to the Road Safety Council and signed by the office handling the case, shall be previously required.

The removal of plates shall be carried out in the following cases:

• a)When the corresponding circulation fees or the mandatory insurance for motor vehicles have not been paid, in contravention of the provisions of Articles 56 and 60 of this law.
• b)When the public transport unit equipped with a ramp or platform circulates with said device in poor condition or if it cannot be operated properly.
• c)When the vehicle is used to provide public transport service, in any of its modalities, without the respective authorizations.
• d)When the vehicle is driven by someone who, holding a temporary learner's permit, circulates without an accompanying driver. For these purposes, the provisions of Article 152 of this law must be considered.

However, at the request of the driver or the vehicle owner, the officers may deliver the vehicle to a person who possesses a valid license for the type and class of the vehicle in question, and shall record this in the respective citation ticket, issued for this purpose.

• e)In the case of foreign drivers, action shall be taken after three months have passed since entering the country without having obtained a license in Costa Rica.
• f)When the driver disrespects the provisions set forth in Article 115 of this law.
• g)When all the light projection systems of the vehicle do not function during the hours and under the circumstances established in this law, unless the defect can be repaired in situ.
• h)Producing noise or emissions of gases, smoke, or pollutant particles that exceed the limits established in Articles 38 and 39 of this law.
• i)When the vehicle obstructs public roads, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, or remains parked in front of public service stops, ramps or parking for persons with disabilities, fire hydrants, emergency exits or entrances, entrances to garages and public and private parking lots, without having the respective identification, or generally contravenes the prohibitions of Article 110 of this law.

In situations directly affecting a third party, the traffic authority may proceed with the temporary removal of the vehicle to prevent it from continuing to obstruct passage, without liability for any damage to the vehicle's emergency brake if it is activated. Without prejudice to what is established in Article 152 of this law, the removal of plates or the removal from circulation of vehicles, under the foregoing circumstances, shall proceed only if the driver is not present or if he refuses to move it, except in the case of emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties.

• j)When the public transport driver contravenes the provisions of subsection b) of Article 51 of this law.
• k)(Repealed by Article 1 of the Law for the Balance of Fines for Vehicular Restriction in National Emergency Cases, No. 9910 of October 30, 2020)

(Thus added the preceding subsection by Article 4 of the law Establishes the Vehicular Restriction in Previously Decreed National Emergency Cases, No. 9838 of April 3, 2020)

(Thus amended by Article 9 of law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

Vehicles removed from circulation for infractions punishable by a fixed fine, as well as confiscated plates, shall be returned only by Cosevi, when the traffic fines declared final and enforceable applied at the time of the vehicle's removal and the costs established via regulation for towing and custody of the vehicle in the depot have been paid, as well as upon fulfilling the documentary circulation requirements established in Article 4 of this law.

In the other cases indicated in Article 150 that are not for a fixed fine, the vehicles and plates shall be returned by the corresponding judicial authority.

Cosevi shall authorize the return of the vehicle that has been immobilized or removed from circulation when a formal challenge has been filed against the determination or if it has become final and enforceable. To authorize the return, the following procedure shall be followed:

• a)The return of the vehicle or its plates shall be ordered only if the cause that originated the imposition of the measure did not occur or was remedied.
• b)In cases where remedying is only possible with the vehicle withdrawn, the administrative deposit of the vehicle may be ordered for a reasonable period not exceeding three months to allow the vehicle to be brought into compliance, with the warning that the vehicle may not circulate, under penalty of proceeding with a cause for the crime provided for in the current legislation. If the cause is not remedied within the described period, the deposit shall be rendered without effect and the vehicle shall be subject to immobilization.
• c)If the reason for the vehicle's removal was Category A driving, in accordance with Article 143 of this law, or non-compliance with parking rules, the affected party may request the return of the vehicle, provided that the imposed fine has been paid or the corresponding ticket has been appealed.
• d)If there is a final and enforceable resolution that renders the challenged ticket without effect, in accordance with the procedure defined in this law.
• e)If the removal from circulation is due to non-compliance with the rules for driving a vehicle transporting hazardous materials; or circulating on public roads in contravention of Article 123 of this law.
• f)The return of the plates by said Unit shall be ordered and the precautionary measure decreed shall be temporarily suspended if the respective appeal is filed.
• g)If the removal from circulation is due to the occurrence of serious injuries, death, or considerable damage to third-party property, in accordance with subsection i) of Article 150 of this law, or due to a traffic accident, jurisdiction over the matter shall lie with the judicial authorities, who shall order the necessary steps for the investigation and, if appropriate, shall order the judicial deposit of the vehicle, for the purposes of the provisions of Article 201 of this law.
• h)When dealing with vehicles detained for the commission of crimes of involuntary manslaughter or involuntary injury due to reckless driving in accordance with Article 254 bis (*) of the Penal Code, Law No. 4573, of May 4, 1970, and its amendments, they shall be remitted to the order of the Judicial Branch authorities at the facilities designated for this purpose. For their return, the corresponding procedures of Articles 7 and 196 of this law shall be required.

(*) (Note from Sinalevi: In accordance with the amendment made by the Law on Computer-Related and Connected Crimes, No. 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Penal Code, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

The Traffic Court or the Public Ministry, in order to authorize the return of a vehicle detained due to a traffic accident or the commission of a crime, shall issue a written authorization order for return addressed to Cosevi and signed by the office handling the case, unless the vehicle is located within their own depots, where the order of the corresponding traffic court shall suffice.

The delivery of bicycles removed from circulation shall only be made once the respective infraction has been paid. Said payment shall only proceed when the infraction has been declared final and enforceable. In the case of minors, they must be accompanied by their parents or guardians.

The MOPT is authorized, pursuant to the provisions of Law No. 7494, Administrative Contracting, and its amendments, to contract towing services for vehicles and real estate for the deposit and custody of detained vehicles.

When a vehicle is removed from circulation, a receipt must be issued to the owner stating the conditions in which the vehicle is received; in addition, its accessories and extras shall be indicated.

The period for claims for damages suffered shall be twenty-two business days from its return. The right to claim its value shall also expire within this same period, in the event that the vehicle cannot be returned. This period begins to run from the moment the owner becomes aware of that circumstance.

No use whatsoever may be made of detained vehicles. The competent authority shall be responsible for the damages caused to the vehicles while they are in its possession.

When the return of a vehicle or its scrap is not requested, which is at the order of a judicial authority or the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), after three months have elapsed from the finality of res judicata or the exhaustion of administrative remedies, as applicable, these shall be disposed of following one of the modalities indicated in Article 155 bis of this law, if there are no judicial liens, pledges, or liens of another nature that permit their disposition.

If judicial liens exist, the following procedure shall be followed:

• a)The Road Safety Council, as an interested third party, shall periodically publish in La Gaceta, including lists of vehicles not retrieved within the aforementioned period, which are visible on the Road Safety Council website (www.csv.go.cr), that have judicial liens, summoning them for a period of three business days counted from the day following each publication, so that the annotating party or other legitimate interested party in the involved judicial cause appears before it and expresses their interest in becoming the judicial depository; in which case said lien shall be maintained at the order of that judicial authority. For all purposes, when multiple creditors concur, the annotating party and another party with a legitimate interest that holds real or personal rights over the unclaimed vehicle shall prevail as judicial depository. Said resolution must be issued and notified to the Road Safety Council within a period of one month, counted from the petition of the interested party.
• b)Once the granted period has elapsed, if the appointment of a judicial depository for an unclaimed vehicle is not notified, without further procedure, the Road Safety Council shall request the National Registry to lift the lien.
• c)If the annotating party or another interested party is appointed as judicial depository, the Road Safety Council shall make the deposited vehicle available to them, upon payment of all administrative obligations encumbering the asset, such as infractions and their interest, as well as the sums owed for towing and custody in the corresponding depot.

Once the judicial depository is appointed, if they do not take possession of the asset within the period of fifteen business days following notification of their designation, the Road Safety Council may request the judicial authority to render the appointment of the judicial depository without effect and consequently lift, without further delay, the lien encumbering the unclaimed movable asset, in order to dispose of it.

• d)When registered pledge liens are recorded on unclaimed vehicles, the Road Safety Council must notify the creditor, in accordance with Law 8687, Judicial Notifications, of December 4, 2008, so that the pledge creditors who prove the enforceability of the obligation, within a period of fifteen business days, appear to pay all administrative obligations encumbering the asset in accordance with the current traffic legislation, including infractions and expenses for towing and custody, and thereby take material possession of it.

In the event that the pledge creditor, third-party acquirer, or annotating party is not found, they may be notified by means of an edict, which shall be published three times in the official gazette. Said publication must contain at least the registration citations, the amount of the administrative appraisal, the plate number, and the name of the creditor.

• e)If upon expiration of the previous period, the creditor or creditors do not appear before the Road Safety Council to exercise their rights, the latter may dispose of them, according to the mechanisms described below, first requesting the lifting of the respective lien from the National Registry and depositing the plates.

(Thus amended by the sole article of law No. 9913 of November 26, 2020)

If no interested party appears in a timely and proper manner under the terms set forth in Article 155 of this law, or if no depository is appointed in judicial proceedings according to the provisions of the preceding article, the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) shall use the following mechanisms for the disposition of unclaimed vehicles:

• a)Waste Management: when the Hacienda value of the unclaimed vehicle, its parts, or its scrap is less than three base salaries defined in Law 7337, of May 5, 1993, the competent authority must manage it as waste, in accordance with the provisions of Law 8839, Law for the Integral Management of Waste, of June 24, 2010, and the complementary regulations, being authorized to this effect to carry out the contracting it deems necessary and ensuring the total destruction of the movable asset, its parts, or its scrap, in a correct manner.
• b)Donation of vehicles: when the Hacienda value of the unretrieved vehicle is greater than three and less than six base salaries, defined in Law 7337, of May 5, 1993, donation shall be sought in the first instance to the Ministry of Public Security, the National Learning Institute (INA), the Benemérito Fire Corps, or to a social welfare organization, public schools or high schools, or municipalities. For these purposes, the administrative authority shall apply the procedure established for decommissioning State assets, according to Law 8131, Financial Administration of the Republic and Public Budgets, of September 18, 2001, and the complementary regulations.
• c)Auction: The competent authority may directly resort to the auction procedure established in Articles 49 and following of Law 7494, Law of Administrative Contracting, of May 2, 1995, as well as in numerals 101 and following of the regulation of said law, when dealing with vehicles that are suitable for circulation and the Hacienda value exceeds the equivalent of six base salaries defined in Law 7337, of May 5, 1993, that being the base for the auction, unless it is determined that the vehicle is necessary for fulfilling the purposes and satisfying the public interest of the institutions indicated in the preceding subsection. In this case, the donation of the vehicle shall proceed.

The auction shall be announced by an edict that shall be published twice, on consecutive days, in La Gaceta, and it shall express the base price, the hour, the place, the day of the auction, the plate number of the vehicle to be auctioned, and the amount of the administrative appraisal.

Once the auction procedure, established in the aforementioned regulations, is concluded, the respective approval resolution shall be issued, and once the award amount is deposited, the awardee shall be placed in possession of the asset through the administrative authority designated for this purpose.

(Thus added by the sole article of law No. 9913 of November 26, 2020)

In any auction of vehicles under conditions other than those of unclaimed vehicles, the following order of payment priority shall be followed:

• a)Pledge liens and those originating from this law in accordance with Article 171, according to the corresponding rank, in strict chronological order.
• b)The lien resulting from injuries to persons and damage to property, caused by a vehicle.
• c)Fines imposed and for which the vehicle is liable, as well as expenses for custody and towing, from the day of the vehicle's detention until the finality of the auction, if the vehicle was being held in a depot of the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), or municipalities with enabled municipal traffic police.

If, after these items are satisfied with the proceeds of the auction, there is a surplus, this shall become part of the Road Safety Fund of Cosevi. Once the cited ten-day period has expired, without any action in this regard by owners or interested parties with proper title, the Road Safety Council shall carry out, before the Movable Assets Registry of the National Registry, the procedure for the delivery of plates, the deregistration and cancellation of all annotations and liens, whether real or by way of guarantee, judicial and administrative, that are expired, or that must disappear for having been issued in a supervening manner on property belonging to another, upon the vehicle becoming the property of Cosevi.

Judicial liens generated in traffic accidents must be lifted by the judicial authority, except when two years have elapsed since their annotation in the Registry, in which case they may be lifted at the request of Cosevi, declaring them to be registrially expired and for all legal purposes.

(Thus amended by the sole article of law No. 9913 of November 26, 2020)

When a vehicle is declared a total loss by an insurance entity or by a CIVE, it shall be the obligation of the respective entity to inform the National Registry. The vehicle owner or their agent must process the pertinent deregistration.

It is the obligation of the owners of vehicles declared a total loss to return the plates within ten business days following the annotation of the vehicle's deregistration, in accordance with the first paragraph of this article.

The traffic officer who becomes aware of the situation must remove the plates, which shall be forwarded to the plate unit of the General Directorate of Traffic, within a maximum period of three business days.

The National Registry shall provide an electronic means of consultation to provide registry publicity regarding the plates of vehicles that have been declared a total loss.

Vehicles deregistered due to a declaration of total loss may not be re-registered.

The traffic inspector must issue a citation ticket in the case of infractions punishable by a fixed fine and those entailing the removal of the vehicle from circulation or its immobilization.

Impersonal citation tickets may be issued in the cases of infractions detected by automated electronic control means, as provided in Articles 160 and 161 of this law, and in cases of violation of the content of the provisions of Article 110 of this law. For the notification of these impersonal tickets, the Road Safety Council shall determine the procedure via regulation, always respecting the due process of the affected party.

(Thus amended by Article 10 of law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

The signature of the presumed offender shall be proof of notification. If that person is unable or refuses to sign the ticket, the inspector shall record said situation on the ticket, and the inspector's record of this situation shall be considered a sworn statement of the act.

Upon issuing the citation ticket, the inspector must warn the offender of the legal consequences arising from waiving the appeal of the citation ticket, as well as the consequences derived from the failure to pay the fine, within the period established in Article 192 of this law.

RELATED SANCTIONS RECORDED BY MEANS OF AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEMS

On public roads determined by the MOPT and duly signposted no less than sixty meters in advance and no more than one hundred fifty meters in advance, equipment for recording and detecting infractions of this law may be used. Cosevi shall process the recorded infraction, after ascertaining that the evidence was obtained in compliance with the respective regulation.

The equipment for recording infractions may consist of photographs or other forms of reproduction of image and sound, which constitute suitable means for proving the offense.

The MOPT shall adopt measures tending to ensure respect for and protection of the driver's privacy. The technical standards that said equipment must meet, as well as the measures for reliability and certainty of the system, shall be established by regulation; in addition, the conditions under which they are to be used, as well as who will be in charge of operating them, so that the images or other elements of evidence obtained from them may serve as a basis for reporting infractions against this law.

Impersonal tickets may be issued through the system established in Article 160 of this law, even when the offender is not present. The registered owner of the vehicle shall be responsible for paying all fines encumbering the vehicle for the commission of infractions of this law detected by electronic means, unless the person responsible for the act is identified. The owner may be released from liability by means of a document demonstrating that the vehicle was sold, transferred to a third party, stolen, or is not within their control, prior to the date of the act. If the foregoing is proven, the process must be directed against the new acquirer, possessor, or controlling party.

Cosevi shall notify the infractions to the registered owners of the vehicles within a maximum period of ten business days following the electronic recording of the infraction event, as established in Article 81 of this law. The communication must be accompanied by the documents proving the commission of the infraction or an indication of the means by which the owner may consult them quickly, under penalty of nullity of the act. For these purposes, the owner shall have the right to appear within ten days following notification to assert their rights in accordance with Article 163 of this law.

OF INFRACTION TICKETS IN GENERAL

The duly issued citation ticket shall be transferred to Cosevi for its provisional annotation on the offender's driver's license record. Said annotation shall be recorded definitively when the supposed offender has not filed any appeal within the period established by Article 163 of this law, or it has been dismissed in the administrative proceedings.

The supposed offender may appeal before the Citation Ticket Challenge Unit of Cosevi or before the officials accredited by said Unit, or at the corresponding Traffic Police delegations, according to the territorial jurisdiction in which the citation ticket was issued, within the non-extendable period of ten business days, counted from the day following the issuance of the ticket. The challenge may be submitted using electronic means such as fax or email, in accordance with the guidelines to be established by regulation.

For this purpose, the traffic officer must obligatorily indicate, on the ticket, to the supposed offender, where they may file their appeal.

The supposed offender must state in their appeal the grounds for it, as well as the exculpatory evidence they deem appropriate.

The challenge of tickets issued to minors may be presented by the minors themselves, or by their parents or legal guardians.

A challenge filed untimely shall be rejected ad portas without the issuance of any resolution.

Once the appeal is received by the Citation Ticket Challenge Unit of Cosevi, it shall request the original documentation and proceed to gather the corresponding summary information.

If no testimonial evidence to be evacuated has been offered, or if it involves matters of a documentary nature, the case shall be resolved based on the available elements, within a period not exceeding two months, counted from the day following the presentation of the appeal.

If testimonial, expert, or documentary evidence has been offered, a hearing shall be scheduled for its evacuation within a period of ten business days, once the file is ready to be resolved. This hearing may not be held more than six months from the date of receipt of the appeal. The traffic officer who issued the citation ticket must be summoned to the hearing and is obligated to attend.

Superfluous or irrelevant evidence must be rejected by means of a reasoned resolution and shall be communicated to the interested party at the address indicated for receiving notifications.

For the conduct of the hearing, the procedures established in Law No. 6227, General Law of Public Administration, of May 2, 1978, and its amendments, the Contentious-Administrative Procedure Code, Law No. 8508, of April 28, 2006, this law, and the Criminal Procedure Code, Law No. 7594, of April 10, 1996, shall apply, insofar as it pertains to matters of contraventions.

The resolution on the merits of the matter may be issued verbally provided it is issued within a period not exceeding twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the hearing. Otherwise, it must be issued in writing within a period not exceeding ten business days. The decision of the Citation Ticket Challenge Unit of Cosevi shall conclude the administrative procedure and shall be executed immediately.

If the offender does not challenge the ticket, the fine and the related sanctions dependent thereon shall become final and enforceable, and shall proceed to be definitively annotated on the driver's license record; likewise, the cancellation of the accreditation shall be carried out as applicable.

Similarly, the entity authorized by law to collect the mandatory vehicle insurance shall be notified of the vehicle's license plate number, as well as the amount of the fine, the citation ticket number, and the articles violated, without prejudice to the collection actions that Cosevi may undertake.

The fines imposed shall be lifted once they have been paid, in accordance with the provisions of article 192 of this law; in the event a definitive suspension has been ordered, it shall be lifted once the term for which it was established has expired; for such purposes, said term begins to run from the date of the citation ticket.

When issuing a citation ticket for an infraction of the provisions of this law and it is verified that the infraction committed entails the accumulation of the total permitted points and the consequent suspension of the driver's license, the traffic inspector shall proceed to immediately withdraw the license and must remit it to the Licenses Department of the Dirección de Educación Vial, for its custody.

The precautionary withdrawal of the license shall have the effect of notification of the provisional suspension of the license by means of the citation ticket, until the citation ticket becomes final or the decision is revoked.

The alleged offender may appeal the citation ticket, as established in article 164 of this law. If the appeal is granted, the return of the license shall be ordered, provided it has not expired. Otherwise, the infraction and the related sanction shall become final.

The Dirección General de Educación Vial is empowered to destroy expired licenses under its custody.

The traffic courts shall have competence to hear the collision infractions established in this law, except for those referred to in chapter IV, Registry of drivers and owners, respective sanctions and fines, section III, Total loss.

In places where there is no traffic court, competence to hear said infractions shall lie with the contravention court.

Appeals of first-instance judgments from courts hearing traffic collision matters shall be resolved by the criminal judge of the preparatory procedure with corresponding territorial competence. The resolution of the judge at that instance shall not be subject to any appeal.

The Corte Suprema de Justicia shall determine the territorial competence of the traffic courts and their location.

When a traffic accident occurs in which only material damages are involved, the parties, by mutual agreement or through insurance entities, may agree on their repair. In order to support their actions, they may take photographs or record videos using any technological instrument that allows the accident scene to be recorded.

If none of the parties accepts responsibility for the events that occurred and, consequently, the intervention of the Policía de Tránsito is required, the inspector who appears shall prepare the official traffic report, with all the information required therein. In the case of citation tickets, as proof that the notification has been made, the offender's signature shall be valid, but if the offender cannot or refuses to sign the ticket, the inspector's record of this situation shall be considered a sworn statement of the act.

Furthermore, the officer must prepare a sketch with the location of the vehicles, the road signage, the skid or braking marks, the obstacles on the road, and any other detail related to the accident. If at the location where the accident occurred there is a vehicle parked in contravention of the provisions of this law and its presence affects the investigated event, this shall be recorded in the sketch. This document must be prepared in every accident, even when the vehicles have been moved from the scene, in which case reference must be made to this fact.

In the case of traffic accidents by collision in which the inspector does not appear at the scene, the respective complaint is not filed with him, or one of the parties involved is not present, the affected party may appear before the civil court of the corresponding jurisdiction to pursue their claim against the responsible owner, in accordance with article 7 of this law.

The drivers of the vehicles involved in an accident shall be considered accused, for purposes of initiating the corresponding proceeding, without prejudice to including in it and under the same condition, any other person involved.

The information recorded in the official traffic report together with the sketch and the originals of the citation tickets shall be immediately remitted to the corresponding court. Furthermore, a copy must be sent to the Cosevi.

Once the information is received, together with the tickets, the court shall immediately communicate this to the Registro Nacional so that an encumbrance (gravamen) may be annotated on the vehicles.

In the event that the alleged infraction was committed by a third party, the court shall notify the vehicle owner of their right to become a party. Notification shall be made at the DEV or by means of an edict that shall be published once in the official gazette La Gaceta. In both cases, the vehicle owner must appear within ten days following the notification or publication.

In cases involving official vehicles, the court shall notify the head of the administrative unit responsible for them; in the case of the Poder Ejecutivo, the Poder Judicial, the Poder Legislativo, and the Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones, notification shall be made to the Procuraduría General de la República in representation of the State and, in the case of autonomous institutions, decentralized institutions, or public enterprises, to the respective hierarchical superior body or whomever it designates for such purpose, who shall act in defense and representation of the institution's interests.

The publications must necessarily contain the registered owner's name, their identification number, the vehicle's license plate number, and the chassis or VIN number.

Within a period of ten business days from receipt of the citation ticket, the accused must appear before the competent court to state whether or not they accept the charges, or whether they abstain from declaring.

If, for any reason, one of the accused has not been summoned and notified by means of the respective ticket, the court shall do so by means of a summons document, which must be delivered personally or at their home. This summons document shall be accompanied by a copy of the information recorded and shall have the effects provided for in article 184 of this law, if the accused fails to appear.

At the appearance proceeding, under penalty of absolute nullity, the accused shall be warned of their right to defend themselves personally or through an attorney, and of their right to abstain from declaring.

Likewise, they shall be warned that they must indicate a means or place to receive notifications within the corresponding judicial perimeter, under the admonishment that if the indicated place or means is not found due to being imprecise or inexact, if it does not exist or there is a refusal to receive notifications, or if they fail to appear for the proceeding for which they are being summoned, all proceedings carried out, including the oral hearing, as well as the resolutions issued derived therefrom, shall be deemed duly carried out and notified, within the course of twenty-four hours, except in cases of non-compliance or absence for just cause. Proceeding shall be in accordance with the provisions of Law N.º 8617, Ley de Notificaciones Judiciales, of December 4, 2008.

If any of the accused is protected by diplomatic immunity, the judge must act in accordance with the corresponding regulations. In the case of members of the Supreme Powers, the rules of the Código Procesal Penal, Law N.º 7594, of April 10, 1996, and its amendments, shall govern.

If any of the accused is under eighteen years of age and over twelve years of age, the traffic court shall declare itself incompetent in relation to these acts and shall certify documents to the juvenile criminal court for its hearing, without prejudice to also remitting, for its appropriate action, to the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), when dealing with accused persons under twelve years of age, before six months have elapsed from the date indicated on the citation ticket, and shall continue with the proceeding with respect to persons of legal age, if any. The foregoing is without prejudice to the direct strict civil liability (responsabilidad civil objetiva) of the owner of the involved vehicle or vehicles, in accordance with article 199, subsection f), of this law and before the corresponding civil authority.

(Thus amended by the sole article of the Law defining material competence over cases of minors alleged to have violated the traffic law, N° 10067 of November 11, 2021)

When the fine imposed by the acting officer on a minor is not appealed, the Unidad de Impugnaciones must modify it, imposing an administrative measure of attendance at talks related to the infractions involved, or the provision of community services, for a term of not less than fifteen hours and not more than one month, without the accumulation of points. If the measure is not fulfilled under the imposed conditions, points shall accumulate for the moment the license is processed.

If the ticket is appealed, the Unidad de Impugnaciones shall hear it and apply the general procedures set forth in this law. The minor must be warned of their right to have the assistance of a legal professional. If the minor or their representative waives this right, this shall be recorded in the proceeding and its development shall continue. The PANI shall also be considered a party, to guarantee the respect of their rights.

If the minor's responsibility is proven in a reasoned resolution, a measure shall be applied under the terms set forth in the first paragraph of this article. No measure may exceed in time the statute of limitations in juvenile criminal matters.

If the fine is voluntarily paid by the minor, an administrative measure shall not be applied.

If the parties appear before the traffic judicial authority for the purpose of reaching a settlement, the court shall attend to the proceeding. This may be done by means of a reasoned written submission or by statement before the judge, provided it does not affect the interests of third parties and no State vehicles are involved, unless it is formalized by the representative of the public institution involved.

If the enforcement of policies is involved in the proposed settlement, the insurance entity must expressly authorize it. Once the settlement conditions, if any, have been met, the judge shall proceed to forward the file for the dictation of a dismissal judgment and, in the same act, shall order the lifting of encumbrances (gravámenes), if any.

If all parties appear to declare and offer a means or place to receive notifications, the court shall set the time and date for the conciliation hearing; if conciliation fails, the matter shall proceed to judgment, in accordance with the provisions of article 185 of this law. If evidence was offered, a conciliation and evidence reception hearing shall be set, in accordance with article 179 of this law.

Conciliation between the procedural parties only proceeds regarding matters of a proprietary nature.

At the time of appearance, the accused may accept or reject the charges, as well as abstain from declaring; likewise, in said act, they may offer their exculpatory evidence, which shall also be admissible, without prejudice to the evidence for a better resolution that the court agrees to receive.

The court shall set the time and date for the conciliation hearing, as well as for the oral and public hearing. If conciliation fails, immediately thereafter the evidence offered by the accused shall be taken. Evidence deemed necessary for the clarification of the facts may also be taken. In the resolution summoning the parties to the hearing, the accused and parties in general shall be warned that should they fail to attend for justified cause, the judge may resolve the matter in accordance with the elements contained in the proceeding, unless the provisions of article 184 of this law apply. In said resolution, the judge may reject, in a reasoned manner, evidence deemed superfluous. Only a motion for revocation shall be admissible against this resolution, which must be filed within three days after its notification.

Should any person have suffered injuries as a consequence of the accident, they must submit to an examination to be conducted by the Legal Medicine Department of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial, which shall determine the extent of the injury. If the person refuses to undergo said expert examination or expresses disinterest in the injury proceedings, the court shall dispense with that evidence and continue only with the proceedings for the damages from the traffic accident.

If any of the witnesses cannot appear on the set day and time for the hearing due to force majeure or fortuitous event, the court shall set a new time and date for the reception of that testimony, if in its judgment it is essential for resolution.

During the hearing, the accused may defend themselves personally or through an attorney, but the latter may only participate if accompanied by their client or, failing that, if they hold a special judicial power of attorney granted for that purpose. Likewise, the accused must be warned of their right to abstain from declaring.

If all the accused or any of them do not appear for the scheduled hearing, the judge shall proceed to open the hearing, if there is evidence to be gathered; shall question the parties and witnesses present along with the attorneys, if any, and shall then proceed to hear the final arguments, except as provided in article 183 of this law.

Unless evidence for a better resolution is ordered, which must be taken within ten days after its practice is ordered, the judge shall close the evidence reception phase and grant the parties a reasonable term to present conclusions, and shall immediately declare the hearing concluded and set the time for the full reading of the judgment, within the twenty-four hours following the holding of the hearing. In this case, notification of the judgment to the means or places indicated for the absent and duly summoned accused is not permitted, except in traffic judicial proceedings involving official vehicles, in which case notification shall be made to the means indicated by the representative of the respective institution.

If the accused does not appear within the indicated period, if they reject the charges but do not offer exculpatory evidence, or if they accept them, or if having declared and offered a means to receive notifications they do not appear at the evidence reception hearing, or do not present the offered evidence without just cause, the court shall resolve based on the elements of judgment contained in the file, without prejudice to its power to order the reception of the evidence it deems necessary for a better resolution.

The judgment may be issued in the form of a reasoned order (auto), under penalty of absolute nullity. Ex officio, the order shall contain a pronouncement on:

• a)The responsibility of the accused and their acquittal or conviction. In the latter case, the corresponding penalty or penalties shall be established.
• b)The amount of the fine for infractions against the provisions of this law that are proven in the proceeding and the additional charges in favor of other institutions and organizations.
• c)The encumbrances (gravámenes) decreed on the vehicles or on the driver's licenses and their lifting.
• d)The abstract condemnation for the damages caused to persons, public or private property, or road infrastructure, which shall be collected through the execution of judgment in the corresponding civil judicial proceeding, as well as personal and procedural costs.
• e)The liability of third parties under the terms of this law, provided it has been requested by the party in accordance with the provisions of article 202 of this law.

Only an appeal shall be admissible against judgments and orders that have the character of a judgment, provided it is filed within a period of three business days following their notification.

The appeal shall be filed by means of a duly reasoned written submission or official record before the same judge, who shall summon the other parties so that, within a period of three days, they may respond to the appeal and, where appropriate, offer evidence.

If during the summons period cross-appeal adhesions are filed, the matter shall be transferred to the other parties within the same period so that they may respond to the adhesion and, without further procedure, the file shall be remitted to the criminal judge of the preparatory stage for resolution.

The seat, jurisdiction, and territorial competence of each criminal judge shall be determined by the Corte Suprema de Justicia in the exercise of its powers.

The appellate court shall resolve without further procedure, except if it orders the reception of evidence for a better resolution; no appeal shall be admissible against its resolution.

For the resolution of the appeal, the criminal judge shall apply this law and its procedures, and in everything not provided for in this law, the Código Procesal Penal, Law N.º 7594, of April 10, 1996, and its amendments, shall apply supplementarily.

If there are no elements to permit the continuation of the investigation, the judge, by means of a reasoned resolution, may order the matter archived and the lifting of any encumbrances (gravámenes) that have been decreed.

All proceedings conducted by the Ministerio Público or by the criminal court, as well as by the traffic court, in cases where the cause was initiated by them, shall maintain full validity, and the judge or prosecutor shall assign or maintain the corresponding process in accordance with the procedures established in this chapter.

In all matters not provided for in this title, the Código Procesal Penal, Law N.º 7594, of April 10, 1996, and its amendments, shall apply supplementarily, in what is pertinent to the summary nature of the proceeding provided for in this law.

In matters of fixed-fine infractions, the administrative action prescribes in two years, computed from the issuance of the citation ticket. The fine penalty imposed in this type of case shall prescribe in seven years, counted from the date said ticket becomes final.

The criminal action in collision accident matters prescribes in two years, counted from the commission of the infraction. The fine penalty prescribes in two years, counted from the date the judgment becomes final, except as provided in the following article.

Once the fine has prescribed, the Cosevi must ex officio immediately proceed to lift the corresponding annotation.

The statute of limitations for the administrative action is interrupted by the scheduling of the oral and public hearing, as well as by the issuance of the substantive resolution.

The statute of limitations for the criminal action in the case of accident tickets is interrupted by the scheduling of the conciliation hearing, the scheduling of the oral and public hearing, as well as by the issuance of the first or second instance judgment, or when the holding of the hearing or the conciliation hearing is suspended for reasons attributable to the defense, with the purpose of obstructing its normal development, according to the declaration the judge shall make in a reasoned resolution.

In the case of minors, in both instances, in addition to the aforementioned grounds for interruption and suspension, the grounds provided for in Law N.º 7576, Ley de Justicia Penal Juvenil, of March 8, 1996, and its amendments, and Law N.º 8460, Ejecución de las Sanciones Penales Juveniles, of October 20, 2005, shall apply.

Fines imposed based on this law must be paid at any bank of the Sistema Bancario Nacional or at any other public or private office with which the Cosevi establishes agreements.

The respective agreement shall establish in detail the form and suitable means by which the transfer of payment receipts, information, and money to the Cosevi shall be carried out, for its appropriate action.

The authorized public or private entities shall issue a payment receipt, which shall indicate the citation ticket number, the registration plate number, the name and identification document or driver's license number of the offender; furthermore, the sanctions attributed to them, the amount of the fine, and other charges.

Within a period of ten business days from the date the infraction becomes final, the imposed fine may be paid at a fifteen percent (15%) discount, excluding from this exception the infractions contained in article 143 of this law. Said percentage may be increased by the MOPT up to thirty percent (30%), provided that the pertinent technical justification exists.

Any payment made in a manner different from that established in this article and those authorized by the Cosevi shall be considered as not having been made.

The Cosevi is empowered to establish, by regulation, the means for collecting unpaid fines; the foregoing is without prejudice to the provisions of articles 194 and 195 of this law.

The foreign-plated vehicle with which an infraction of this law is committed shall remain encumbered (gravado) to the order of the Cosevi until the infraction is paid or the result of the respective proceeding.

For collection purposes, the Cosevi must remit to the immigration and customs authorities the exhort for border closure for that vehicle, indicating the total amounts owed, which must be paid prior to the entry into or exit from the country, as established in the previous article.

The same procedure shall apply for fines imposed on a foreign driver for their exit from the country.

Non-compliance with these provisions shall be considered a serious fault by the respective officials, who shall be responsible for the damages caused by the non-compliance with this provision.

Fines for infractions of this law and their surcharges must be paid within a period of twenty business days, counted from the date the infraction becomes final.

If the fine and other charges are not paid within the indicated period, they shall accrue simple late payment interest proportional to the additional days of payment equivalent to three percent (3%) monthly on the original amount, up to a maximum of thirty-six percent (36%), which must be stated on the citation ticket.

The Cosevi shall proceed to send for judicial collection any fines that have not been paid within a period of twenty business days, counted from the date the infraction becomes final. In such case, the annotation shall remain in the corresponding registries, as stipulated in articles 171, 190, 191, and 200 of this law, without prejudice to other sanctions that may be established should judicial collection not be effective.

For the indicated purposes, the Cosevi, through its financial bodies, shall certify the debt so that an execution proceeding may be established in the judicial sphere, under the terms set forth in the Código Procesal Civil, Law N.º 7130, of August 16, 1989, and its amendments.

The certifications issued by the Cosevi relating to debts for fines for infractions against this law shall constitute an enforceable instrument (título ejecutivo), and in the corresponding judicial proceeding, only the defenses of payment or statute of limitations (prescripción) may be raised.

Every offender shall pay the final fines for infractions of this law that appear under their name, prior to making the payment for the right of circulation or marchamo, extension of permits and concessions, obtaining the temporary learner's permit, driver's licenses, renewal or duplicate thereof, the payment of rights, fees, and charges that may apply, the request for issuance of license plates or their replacement, requests for the return of driver's licenses, license plates, or vehicles detained by traffic authorities or by other authorities.

The police forces of the Poder Ejecutivo established in Law 5482, Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, of December 24, 1973, and Law 7410, Ley General de Policía, of May 26, 1994, and the municipal police forces, the judicial police, the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica, and La Cruz Roja Costarricense, in the proper exercise of their functions, shall have the possibility of performing the following procedures without having previously paid the fines: payment of the right of circulation or marchamo, request for issuance of license plates or their replacement, requests for the return of license plates or vehicles detained by traffic authorities or by others. In no way is the payment of fines exempted. Said institutions must pay the accumulated amounts within a period of up to six months, during which interest shall not accrue; if after six months the amount is not paid, the interest amount shall begin to accrue and the vehicles must be taken out of circulation until the fines are paid.

The mandatory vehicle insurance and the corresponding fees must be paid to carry out the following procedures: registrations, re-registrations, registration of encumbrances (gravámenes), pledges, and the change of the basic characteristics of vehicles. Owners of vehicles destined for public transport shall pay the fines that burden the motor vehicle, when dealing with procedures regarding concessions, permits, tax exemptions, or procedures before the Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP).

(Thus amended by the sole article of Law N° 10182 of May 5, 2022)

In any traffic accident in which the driver is not identified, the registered owner shall be strictly civilly liable (responsable civil objetivo) for the consequences arising from the use, handling, possession, or tenancy of the vehicle. In such case, the interested party may file a civil proceeding against the registered owner. Said owner may be released from liability through a document demonstrating that the vehicle was sold, transferred to a third party, stolen, or is not within their control, prior to the date of the traffic accident. If the foregoing is proven, the proceeding must be directed against the new acquirer or possessor, and the same shall apply for any other legitimately valid exception.

In accidents where the driver is identified, the joint and several civil liability of the owner or possessor may be processed within the respective traffic proceeding, in accordance with the provisions of article 199 and following of this law.

Pedestrians, the driver, and passengers of a vehicle to whom a traffic accident is attributable may be civilly liable for the damages arising therefrom.

Whoever appears as the owner of the vehicle in the National Registry shall be responsible for the final infractions established in this law. The vehicle shall be liable for the payment of the fines corresponding to these infractions.

Prior to any collection action, they shall be granted ten business days to exercise the rights they deem appropriate, under the warning that once said period has expired, the fine shall become final. They shall be notified by the means indicated in Articles 81 and 149 of this law.

The following shall be jointly and severally liable with the driver:

• a)The owner of a vehicle who allows it to be driven by a person lacking the respective license or under the effects of alcohol or other drugs.

(Sinalevi Note: Through Article 4 of the Law to improve the effectiveness of legislation on alcohol and drug control in driving, No. 10860 of February 27, 2026, subsection a) above shall be reformed. In accordance with Transitory Provision III of the aforementioned law, it shall come into force twelve months after its publication, that is, on March 28, 2027, so that as of that date said subsection shall read as follows: "a) The owner of a vehicle who allows it to be driven by a person lacking the respective license or with the presence of alcohol in their body, above the limits established in this law, or under the effects of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites.") b) Natural or legal persons who, by any title, operate vehicles for commercial or industrial purposes, including public transport.

• c)The State and its institutions, under the terms of Law No. 6227, General Law of Public Administration, of May 2, 1978, and its reforms.
• d)The owner who allows their vehicle's license plates to be used by another vehicle to which they have not been assigned, or who does not surrender them to the License Plate Department for safekeeping, if the vehicle to which they were assigned is permanently disabled from circulating.
• e)The owner who forces or allows the circulation of a light or heavy cargo vehicle with excess load, in accordance with the parameters established in the respective regulations.
• f)The owner of a vehicle who allows a minor to drive it, except as provided for A1-type licenses.

The vehicle with which damage is caused shall remain subject to a lien (gravamen) until the conclusion of the respective process and at the disposal of the judicial authority hearing the case.

This authority shall order it to be annotated in the margin of the vehicle's registration entry; if it is not registered, it shall order the border closure for the vehicle and its detention to be placed in judicial deposit, for the purpose of securing the outcome of the trial.

The judicial authority shall issue the order for its annotation immediately after receiving the report or complaint. The National Registry shall proceed to annotate the lien accurately and in detail.

If the traffic case is transferred from the Traffic Contraventional Court to the Public Prosecutor's Office because it involves a crime, the lien or annotation must be immediately transferred in favor of this authority, who shall define whether or not to maintain the annotation under its responsibility.

Failure to comply with these provisions shall be considered a serious offense by the respective officials, who shall be responsible for the damages caused by this offense, in accordance with the principles established in Law No. 6227, General Law of Public Administration of May 2, 1978, and its reforms.

Likewise, Cosevi shall place a lien (gravar) on the vehicle to respond for the fines imposed for infractions of this law.

The lien shall proceed even if the driver is not the owner or does not appear as such in the National Registry.

When State vehicles and those of its institutions are involved in a traffic process, the lien must be annotated in the corresponding entry of the National Registry.

The injured party or their representative shall file before the competent civil court the action for compensation for damages and losses (daños y perjuicios) resulting from the accident, as well as the collection of costs.

To establish the joint and several civil liability of third parties under the terms of this law, the following conditions shall apply: the offending driver shall appear within ten days following their statement, and the owner within ten days following notification in accordance with the content of Article 172 of this law.

The interested party shall provide to the process the name, identification number, and qualifications of the person against whom the action is directed, as well as the place where they can be notified. If it is a legal entity, it must provide the name of the legal representative, the corporate domicile, and the place for notification.

If the information is provided outside the indicated deadline or incomplete, the proceeding shall be deemed not filed.

Once the proceeding is received, the office shall proceed to notify the defendant, who shall have ten days to exercise their defense, without prejudice to their subsequent participation in the hearing.

In the event that the accused driver is a minor, the interested party must pursue the civil joint and several liability actions for damages and losses in the corresponding civil court, against the owner of the vehicle.

For every condemnatory judgment, an order shall be issued to the National Registry so that it is immediately annotated in the vehicle's registration entry and, at the judge's discretion, in the driver's license registration entry.

The lien on the vehicle shall be released and the guarantee that has been posted shall be canceled when it is evident in the process that the civil compensations have been paid or legally waived, or the guarantee substituted to the satisfaction of the court hearing the case.

The court hearing the case shall order, at the request of the interested party, the release of the lien and the cancellation of any guarantees that may have been given, if after one year from the finality of the judgment, the court hearing the execution of the judgment has not communicated the request to place the lien at its disposal.

Neither the lien nor the guarantees shall be canceled if the fine has not been paid, except when the statute of limitations for the fine has elapsed.

Upon receiving the request expressed in the second paragraph of this article, the authority shall place, at the disposal of the respective court, the liens and other guarantees that have been posted, which it shall communicate to the National Registry.

The uniform of the Traffic Police (Policía de Tránsito) is exclusive in its design and use, which shall be determined by regulation.

It is the obligation of every inspector, in the exercise of their functions, to wear a badge with their full name in a visible place.

Vehicles used by traffic officers shall have the basic technological devices that allow the control and oversight of their actions or omissions in the fulfillment of their duties; these shall be determined by regulation.

Traffic inspectors shall enjoy the rights and powers of police forces as stipulated in Law No. 7410, General Police Law, of May 26, 1994 and its reforms; they shall also ensure compliance with the provisions of Law No. 7575, Ley Forestal, of February 13, 1996, and its reforms, regarding the transport of timber in logs or forest products.

Traffic authorities are authorized to enter public establishments or private ones for public use and to enter private streets at the request of an owner or tenant during the investigation of traffic infractions and accidents. This power is exceptional and for the sole purpose of protecting persons and property, and shall be exercised respecting the general limits of reasonableness, proportionality, and normality.

Traffic authorities, in the exercise of their competencies and in accordance with the established protocol, may subject a driver suspected of driving under the effects of alcohol or illicit drugs to breathalyzer tests or other devices under metrological control.

If the result of the preliminary (indiciaria) test is positive, at the driver's request, the traffic authority shall subject them to a second test in accordance with the established protocol. The officer shall give the person subjected to this procedure a receipt for the breathalyzer test or other device used.

If the test result is positive, the procedure shall be as follows:

• a)If the offense of reckless driving, as contemplated in Article 261 bis of Law No. 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970, and its reforms, is not configured, only the administrative sanction shall apply, in accordance with Article 143 of this law. The driver may present in their favor, as exculpatory technical evidence, the result of a blood, saliva, or urine test performed in public or private laboratories authorized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), within thirty minutes following the time indicated on the respective citation ticket. The Road Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Vial) must pay the cost of this test to the authorized public or private laboratory. In the event that the blood test contradicts the results that served as the basis for the sanction, the cost of taking the sample, the analysis, and obtaining the result shall be covered by the Road Safety Council. If it ratifies the imposed fine, the Road Safety Council shall collect this cost from the driver, who must pay it along with the payment of the respective fine.
• b)If the offense of reckless driving, contemplated in Article 261 bis of Law No. 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970, is configured, the case shall be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the corresponding procedure.

If the driver refuses to undergo the breathalyzer tests or other devices under metrological control, the sanction contemplated in subsection g) of Article 143 shall be applied and the case shall be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the corresponding procedure.

(Thus reformed by Article 11 of Law No. 9460 of June 20, 2017)

(See Transitory Provision X of this law regarding the operation of mobile laboratories for taking samples and confirmatory or contrast tests) (Sinalevi Note: Through Article 5 of the Law to improve the effectiveness of legislation on alcohol and drug control in driving, No. 10860 of February 27, 2026, this article shall be reformed. In accordance with Transitory Provision III of the aforementioned law, it shall come into force twelve months after its publication, that is, on March 28, 2027, so that as of that date the text of this article shall read as follows: "Article 208- Control over the presence of alcohol or the effects of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites.

Traffic authorities, in the exercise of their competencies, may subject the driver to the procedures and technical tests established in this law to determine if there is a presence of alcohol above the permitted limits or if the driver is under the effects of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites, or both, in accordance with the protocols that the Traffic Police Directorate establishes for this purpose and pursuant to the regulations of this law.

Traffic authorities shall inform the driver of the details of the procedures to be applied before they are carried out.

The taking of the corresponding sample cannot be an act that endangers the health of the examined person, nor shall it be contrary to human dignity, nor a degrading procedure or one contrary to human rights.

1. The procedure to determine the presence of alcohol in the driver's body shall be:

1.1. In accordance with the established protocols and the regulations of this law, the first procedure that the traffic officer shall apply shall be the breath test, to determine the presence of alcohol in the body of a driver suspected of driving with a presence of alcohol in their body, who has the right to request, beforehand, the respective calibration certificate for the measuring device to be used for the test. The officer must give the driver subjected to this procedure a receipt for the results obtained.

1.2. If this first test is positive, the driver shall immediately be informed of their right to a second contrast test, also on breath.

1.3. If requested by the driver, the second breath test shall be performed with a second device different from the first, in accordance with the established protocols, which must be applied immediately after the first test.

1.4. In those cases where the two breath tests are performed, the lowest positive alcohol concentration result shall be taken into account for the purposes of this law. If the result is above the permitted limits, the traffic officer shall proceed as follows:

1.4.1 If the offense of reckless driving, contemplated in Article 261 bis of Law 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970, is not configured, only the administrative sanction shall apply, in accordance with the category A fine referred to in this law. The driver may present in their favor, as exculpatory technical evidence, the result of a blood test performed in public or private laboratories authorized by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) and performed within thirty minutes following the time indicated on the respective citation ticket. In the event that the blood test contradicts the results that served as the basis for the sanction, the cost of taking the sample, the analysis, and obtaining the result shall be covered by the Road Safety Council.

1.4.2 If the offense of reckless driving is configured, in accordance with what is contemplated in Article 261 bis of Law 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970, the person shall be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office to proceed with the corresponding procedure.

In those cases where the driver cannot provide the breath sample, according to the provisions of this article, they must be transferred immediately to a medical center so that, expeditiously, a blood sample can be drawn to be sent to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the respective analysis can be performed at the Toxicology Laboratory of the Judicial Investigation Organization (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), in order to confirm the presence of alcohol in the driver, above the permitted limits, in accordance with the established protocol.

Breath alcohol tests or the taking of a blood sample, when the breath sample cannot be provided, must be applied within three hours following the time the incident is reported. This same time limit shall apply in cases where routine police checks are carried out.

2. In addition, the traffic officer is empowered to apply a test for the detection of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites in the driver's body, from an oral fluid sample, in accordance with the following circumstances and the procedure detailed below:

2.1 When the first breath test to determine the presence of alcohol yields a negative result, but the driver shows objective external signs of having consumed illicit drugs.

2.2 When the driver shows objective external signs of having consumed illicit drugs, which are not attributable to the level of alcohol detected in the breath test to determine the presence of alcohol.

2.3 In routine police checks, on a discretionary basis.

2.4 The oral fluid test for the detection of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites in the body shall have preliminary (indiciario) character, and the officer shall give the driver a receipt for each of the results obtained.

2.5 In the event that the result is positive for illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites, the driver shall be considered a suspect of the crime of reckless driving, as contemplated in Article 261 bis of Law 4573, Penal Code, of May 4, 1970, and shall be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office to proceed with the corresponding procedure.

In those cases where the driver cannot provide the oral fluid sample, according to the provisions of this article, they must be transferred immediately to a medical center so that, expeditiously, a blood sample can be drawn to be sent to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the respective analysis can be performed at the Toxicology Laboratory of the Judicial Investigation Organization, in order to confirm if the driver was under the effects of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites, in accordance with the established protocol.

The aforementioned oral fluid drug tests, or the taking of a blood sample when the oral sample cannot be provided, must be applied within three hours following the time the incident is reported. This same time limit shall be applicable in cases where routine police checks are carried out.

If the driver refuses the application of the procedures for the detection of alcohol above the permitted limits or of illicit drugs or their psychoactive metabolites in their body, the sanction contemplated in subsection g) of Article 143 shall be applied and the case shall be referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the corresponding procedure.")

The assertions made in citation tickets and in the summary reports of a traffic inspector shall have the value that the judge and the administrative authority attribute to them, in accordance with the rules of sound criticism without the possibility of reversing the burden of proof.

Traffic authorities may seize driver's licenses or driving and circulation permits that show alterations or that, due to improper use, do not meet the original design and manufacturing characteristics, as well as in other cases where there is reasonable suspicion of their legitimacy; they shall forward the corresponding report to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Traffic authorities shall proceed to detain drivers, pedestrians, passengers, and any other person who:

• a)Causes injury or death to another person.
• b)Drives under the conditions established in Article 254 bis(*) of the Penal Code, Law No. 4573, of May 4, 1970, and its reforms.

(*) (Sinalevi Note: In accordance with the reform carried out by the Law on Computer-Related and Connected Crimes, No. 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Penal Code, article 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

The person detained for a cause contemplated in any of the preceding subsections shall be placed at the disposal of the competent authority, within the peremptory term of twenty-four hours, in accordance with Article 37 of the Political Constitution.

For the better performance of their duties, the General Directorate of the Traffic Police may have a corps of ad honorem inspectors, whose members must meet the following minimum requirements:

• a)Be a Costa Rican citizen over twenty-five years of age.
• b)Have, at minimum, a high school diploma (bachiller en educación secundaria).
• c)Pass the special training course for ad honorem traffic officers.
• d)Pass the psychometric exam, taken before an official of the MOPT or Cosevi specialized in psychology.
• e)Take the constitutional oath.
• f)Not have been convicted of any crime.

Members of the ad honorem corps may only participate in the performance of their duties accompanied by regular officers of the General Directorate of the Traffic Police. Likewise, they must comply with the provisions, obligations, protocols, and regulations promulgated by that Directorate.

Ad honorem inspectors may serve as pedestrian traffic inspectors.

The General Directorate of the Traffic Police shall ensure compliance with the provisions of this rule.

The General Directorate of the Traffic Police, at the request of public and private institutions, may invest traffic inspectors to ensure compliance with traffic signs, particularly in crossing or safety zones surrounding the respective institution.

In the exercise of their functions, they must carry the respective identification that the General Directorate of the Traffic Police shall determine for this purpose.

Those so invested are authorized only to issue reports (partes) or citation tickets, for the purposes of subsection d) of Article 144, subsection s) of Article 145, and subsections b) and c) of Article 146 of this law.

In the case of public universities, they may have a special corps of traffic inspectors that shall have the attributions and competencies granted by this law to exercise vehicle control and surveillance within their facilities. Outside the facilities, these competencies shall be established through an agreement between each public university and the General Division of the Traffic Police.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) shall coordinate the relevant matters with the Ministry of Public Security and the country's municipalities, with the aim that the police forces under the charge of the latter cooperate with the Traffic Police so that both the Public Force (Fuerza Pública) and the police forces attached to the Ministry of Public Security and the municipalities complementarily attend to the functions of said police, in which case they shall have the character of institutional traffic inspectors, in accordance with what is indicated in this article and in Articles 213 and 214 of this law. This cooperation may be oriented towards tasks such as traffic regulation, issuing citation tickets or reports (boletas de citación o partes), control operations, attention to traffic accidents, routine police checks, attention to special events, and others that the governing ministry for traffic deems appropriate to carry out.

The indicated ministries shall coordinate the necessary training to provide the police forces with the preparation and knowledge to perform the mentioned functions. The financing of said training shall be included in their respective budgets.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport shall establish, through regulations, the manner in which the faculties and powers with which the Public Force and other police forces attached to the Ministry of Public Security may act shall be coordinated and executed, for the performance of the functions assigned in the preceding paragraphs.

(Thus added by the sole article of Law No. 9589 of July 4, 2018, "Authorization for the Public Force to complement the work of the Traffic Police in vehicle control and surveillance")

Without prejudice to the ordinary duties of the Traffic Police, in each canton, municipal police officers may be invested as municipal traffic inspectors, upon prior fulfillment of the requirements established by the General Directorate of Traffic for the appointment of its inspectors. To this end, the mayor (alcalde) of the respective municipality must submit the request to the General Directorate of Traffic, an organ that must resolve the request within a period of twenty business days.

Municipal traffic inspectors may issue tickets for infractions contemplated in Articles 96, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, and 168 of this law.

The invested municipal authorities must comply with the provisions, obligations, protocols, and the geographical scope of territorial competence duly demarcated by vertical signage and defined by the General Directorate of the Traffic Police, as well as with the respective regulations. Infraction tickets issued outside said scope of territorial competence shall lack validity and shall be annulled ex officio by the Road Safety Council (Cosevi).

The provisioning (avituallamiento) of this police force shall correspond to the respective municipality.

(Thus reformed by the sole article of Law No. 9589 of July 4, 2018, "Authorization for the Public Force to complement the work of the Traffic Police in vehicle control and surveillance")

The Internal Affairs Section (Sección de Asuntos Internos), dependent on the Legal Advisory Office of the MOPT, shall be responsible for preventing, detecting, and eradicating any act of corruption in the fulfillment of the police function, so that it is exercised within the framework of the ethical values and public service provision that the traffic officer is obliged to fulfill.

It must instruct disciplinary proceedings against traffic officers by virtue of any act that constitutes a serious offense and that may lead to suspension or dismissal; for this purpose, it shall follow the scope of Law No. 7410, General Police Law, of May 26, 1994 and its reforms, and supplementarily Law No. 6227, General Law of Public Administration, of May 2, 1978, and its reforms. Likewise, a proceeding shall be initiated when a formal, duly substantiated complaint is filed.

In addition to the obligations established in Law No. 7410, General Police Law, of May 26, 1994, and its reforms, the obligations of the Internal Affairs Section are the following:

• a)To carry out, ex officio and permanently, concrete actions aimed at ensuring that the traffic officer faithfully and strictly adheres to the legal system, the directives, and operational instructions issued by those responsible for the General Directorate of the Traffic Police, as well as any other provision issued by the competent bodies of the Ministry.
• b)To carry out inspections and operations of any nature, at any time, within the scope of its competencies, for the purpose of verifying the adequate, proportional, rational, effective, and efficient use of the resources assigned to traffic officers, as well as the regular fulfillment of their function.
• c)To carry out special investigations within the police force to prevent, detect, and eradicate the occurrence of corruption hotspots, increasing ethics and transparency in the fulfillment of the police function.
• d)To file, directly and ex officio, the corresponding complaints before the jurisdictional bodies, when acts that constitute criminal offenses are involved.

Road safety education (educación vial) is established as mandatory as a subject in the Costa Rican educational system, which shall be financed by the Costa Rican State and taught in Preschool, General Basic, Secondary, Diversified, and Technical-Professional and Vocational Education; the topic of road safety shall be included comprehensively, as a component for the development of respectful and responsible coexistence among pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and drivers, for the purposes of:

• a)Promote spaces of coexistence and harmony for individuals, both in their role as pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and drivers.
• b)Foster the exercise of good road safety practices by pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, drivers, and other means of active mobility.
• c)Raise awareness and sensitize the public regarding the needs of all persons in matters of road safety and, in particular, the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
• d)Promote and raise awareness regarding the principles of safe mobility, such as the inverted pyramid of mobility and traffic pacification.

It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Education (Ministerio de Educación Pública, MEP) to coordinate the preparation of the content of the subject to be taught in road safety education in the Costa Rican educational system; the responsibility of the Directorate General of Roadway Education (Dirección General de Educación Vial) and the Road Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Vial, Cosevi) is to provide the necessary collaboration to the teaching staff of the Ministry of Public Education, in terms of training and advice on road safety and all components of said system.

For students who have completed upper secondary education studies and have passed the road safety education subject, it will suffice to provide the respective certification of their secondary education diploma, and passing the theoretical examination administered by the Directorate General of Roadway Education will not be necessary.

This course shall be suitable to be taught as a mandatory requirement for the reaccreditation of drivers, as stipulated in Article 140 of Law No. 9078, Traffic on Public Land Routes and Road Safety Law, of October 4, 2012.

(Thus amended by subsection d) of Article 17 of the Cycling Mobility and Safety Law, No. 9660 of February 24, 2019) (Note from Sinalevi: By means of Article 1 of Law No. 10834 of December 15, 2025, this article will be amended. In accordance with Article 2 of the aforementioned law, it shall enter into force twelve months after publication in the official journal La Gaceta, that is, on December 20, 2026, so that as of that date this numeral shall read as follows: "Article 217- Obligatoriness of education in mobility, active mobility, and road safety. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to ensure that, in all cycles, levels, and modalities, the subject of mobility, active mobility, and road safety is included, as a component for the development of respectful and responsible coexistence in the condition of persons who move in different spaces, for the purposes of:

• a)Promoting life skills and competencies for responsible and supportive citizenship, emphasizing the development of emotional management, critical thinking, leadership, resilience, among others, as part of daily coexistence and development within the traffic system.
• b)Promoting spaces of healthy coexistence that foster respect and harmony between persons and their environment, both in their role as pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, drivers, as well as other forms of active mobility.
• c)Fostering the development of good practices of active mobility and road safety in pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, drivers, as well as other forms of active mobility.
• d)Raising awareness and sensitizing the public regarding the active participation of persons in matters of mobility, active mobility, and road safety, through the use of Costa Rican public institutions.
• e)Promoting and raising awareness regarding the principles of safe, accessible, and inclusive mobility in different public and coexistence spaces, such as the inverted pyramid of mobility and the pacification of the traffic system, giving priority to persons and other living beings, as well as to those who move by means of greatest vulnerability, promoting a responsible, democratic, and respectful road culture.
• f)Strengthening the use and appropriation of public and coexistence spaces, through safe, accessible, and inclusive paths, from a rights-based approach.") (Note from Sinalevi: By means of Article 2 of Law No. 10834 of December 15, 2025, Article 217 bis will be added. In accordance with Article 2 of the aforementioned law, it shall enter into force twelve months after publication in the official journal La Gaceta, that is, on December 20, 2026, so that as of that date the new numeral shall be the following: "Article 217 bis- Parties Responsible for education in mobility, active mobility, and road safety. The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) must coordinate, jointly with the Directorate General of Roadway Education and the Road Safety Council (Cosevi), the incorporation of content on coexistence, mobility, and road safety at all levels of the Costa Rican educational system: preschool, Cycle I, Cycle II, and Cycle III.

Furthermore, for diversified education, the training and advice of the teaching staff responsible for teaching this subject must be guaranteed, including aspects related to active mobility and road safety, as well as all components related to this system.

The Directorate General of Roadway Education and the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) shall be responsible for providing the technical input and the necessary collaboration to the teaching staff of the Ministry of Public Education, so that, jointly, the materials are constructed and to support in the elaboration of the content for the application of this law. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Education, in coordination with the Directorate General of Roadway Education and the Road Safety Council, may establish agreements with municipalities and district councils, public institutions, and private entities to implement this law.

It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to develop a technology course with the technical criteria of the Road Safety Council and the Directorate General of Roadway Education, focused on the theoretical driving course directed at eleventh-year students. Once the academic year has concluded, having passed the technology course, the passed theoretical test shall be accredited through certificates issued by the educational center before the Directorate General of Roadway Education, or a percentage of the grade as a letter of introduction for when they must take the theoretical test.

The corresponding academic content and programs, according to this law, must be implemented by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and must be approved by the Higher Education Council.")

Cosevi shall develop road safety education campaigns aimed at disseminating information related to road safety, which shall include topics related to the correct use of safety devices for minors, the behavior of pedestrians and cyclists on public roads, the general aspects of driving, and the basic principles that comprise this law.

REACCREDITATION AND SENSITIZATION

The MOPT, through the Directorate General of Roadway Education and by means of the concession procedure, may authorize public and private educational centers to teach the Basic Road Safety Education Course and the Course for Offenders.

The Directorate General of Roadway Education may coordinate with said centers the application of the theoretical-practical test.

Persons interested in serving as instructors in road safety education shall receive specialized training in the subject, which must include a module on disability and its regulations.

Any knowledge or skills test directly related to the licensing or reinstatement of drivers shall be subject to the principles of reasonableness, continuity, publicity, impartiality, and equality; for this purpose, the contents shall be public and available at accessible times for their application.

The body competent to administer the tests must duly and widely publicize, in the first month of each year, the parameters for evaluating driver applicants, in the official journal La Gaceta and in accredited national coverage and circulation media. The definition of the score necessary to pass said tests shall be defined by regulation, taking into account principles of road safety and rationality. The fulfillment of a perfect performance may not be required.

In the case of the practical driving test, the evaluator must inform the interested party of the result of the evaluation once the test is concluded. If the test is failed, the items evaluated and the result obtained in each must be clearly indicated in writing. Adequate mechanisms must be guaranteed for the review or challenge of the final grade, the existence of which shall be made known to the evaluated person upon notifying them of the result.

The MOPT, through Cosevi, shall list the entities or organizations that will be responsible for providing drivers of cargo vehicles, special equipment, and public service with non-formal education processes for the accreditation of the driver's license, based on the necessary competencies that the current transportation situation warrants. These training centers must comply with the requirements established by regulation and may specialize in one or several training segments. In the case of drivers of public service vehicles, such certification shall be issued in coordination with the CTP.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, the National Learning Institute (Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje) must include within its regular programs the training of personnel that public passenger transport operators may require, including drivers of buses, minibuses, and microbuses; it shall emphasize the courses and syllabi indicated by the CTP, on topics such as human relations, treatment of persons in special conditions, driving with emphasis on public transport, basic mechanics and/or energy-efficient driving, and other related matters; likewise, it shall develop courses for drivers of heavy vehicles, special equipment, and hazardous materials.

AND RESEARCH IN ROAD SAFETY MATTERS

The Traffic Accident Statistics and Road Safety Research System, under the responsibility of Cosevi, shall be responsible for gathering information related to the factors associated with traffic events and conducting research to guide decisions in road safety matters.

The functions of the System shall be the following:

• a)Maintain a permanent, updated, and computerized statistical record of traffic accidents, organized based on the factors that intervene in them.
• b)Maintain a permanent, updated, and computerized record of drivers and offenders under this law, which must include drivers disqualified from driving.
• c)Maintain a permanent, updated, and computerized statistical record of injuries or deaths caused by traffic accidents, whether in situ or subsequent.
• d)Have an updated record of the vehicle fleet, with details of the types and characteristics of motor vehicles circulating in the country.
• e)Establish the locations of highest incidence of traffic accidents, in order to adopt effective actions to prevent them.
• f)Maintain a record highlighting the areas where repeated temporary flooding occurs during the year and affects safe traffic, in order to design adequate measures for infrastructure conservation and road safety.
• g)Disseminate said information ex officio or at the request of public and private authorities related to the matter within its competence.
• h)Provide a biannual report to the Minister of the relevant branch, in order to guide public policy on road safety.
• i)Publish annually a report on the most important aspects resulting from the statistics.

The MOPT shall regulate the procedures for the collection and analysis of information necessary to fulfill the objectives of this System.

The persons responsible for the Traffic Accident Statistics and Road Safety Research System shall have free access to the statistics maintained on factors associated with traffic accidents, in entities such as insurers authorized by Sugese, the CCSS, the 9-1-1 Emergency System, the Costa Rican Red Cross (Cruz Roja Costarricense), and the Judicial Branch (Poder Judicial), the CIVE, as well as other institutions that, by their nature or competence, handle information concerning road safety.

Any natural or juridical person, public or private, who intends to carry out works on public roads must:

• a)Have the authorization of the Directorate General of Traffic Engineering (Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito) and the endorsement of the Directorate General of the Traffic Police (Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito). Municipalities are exempted from this provision, with respect to works carried out on the cantonal road network under their competence.
• b)Place signs, which must remain in place during the day and night, as provided in the regulations of this law.
• c)Place construction materials within vacant lots or other suitable sites. It is prohibited to place them on public roads.

In case of non-compliance with the provisions of subsection b) of this article, the Directorate General of Traffic Engineering may place the respective signs at the expense of the person carrying out the works on the road. The corresponding collection shall be made by the MOPT through executive proceedings. The certifications issued by its financial bodies regarding said debts shall constitute an enforceable instrument.

It is the obligation of the inhabitants of the Republic to preserve the cleanliness and safety of public roads and their surroundings. Every owner must clean waste, weeds, debris, or other objects that are on a public road near their property.

It is prohibited to throw, on any public road, bottles, nails, tacks, wires, containers, papers, cigarettes, and any other object that endangers road safety or alters the use or ornamentation thereof.

It is prohibited to place advertisements or signs for exclusively advertising purposes within the right-of-way.

The MOPT shall determine, by regulation, the cases in which structures such as road signage, informative signs for tourist destinations, activities and services, transit stops, and others will be installed.

Advertisements and signs for exclusively advertising purposes may only be placed on private property, observing the alignment distance opposite national routes. It shall be the responsibility of the MOPT to determine and grant the respective alignment for each case, for which a period of up to ten business days is granted.

Without prejudice to the foregoing, the MOPT may allocate spaces for advertising or outdoor visual communication purposes, in pedestrian overpasses, as consideration for investment in this type of road infrastructure, with the prior technical opinion of the Directorate of Traffic Engineering (Dirección de Ingeniería de Tránsito) and Cosevi, and through the application of Law No. 7494, Public Procurement Law (Contratación Administrativa), of May 2, 1995, its amendments and regulations, Law No. 7762, General Law on Concession of Public Works with Public Services (Ley General de Concesión de Obras Públicas con Servicios Públicos), of April 14, 1998, its amendments and regulations, and other applicable regulations.

Structures placed illegally within the right-of-way shall be removed by the MOPT. For the purposes of compliance with the provisions of this article, the respective departments must prepare, for each case, a duly ordered and paginated administrative file detailing at least the type of advertising structure infringing this provision, the exact location, the content, the alleged offender, and any other data available from the National Registry (Registro Nacional).

When it involves a juridical person, the legal capacity, the company name, and the corporate identification number, among other data, shall be recorded in the file; in any case, the file must contain a detailed report of the facts.

Any advertising that, in contravention of the provisions of this law and its technical regulation, is placed within the right-of-way shall be seized by the competent departments of the MOPT, and shall only be returned to the offender if they appear for its removal within thirty calendar days following the notification of the seizure, upon prior payment of the imposed fine.

After the aforementioned period has expired and if the offender has not appeared before the Ministry, the Ministry shall dispose of the good for its own use, donation, or disposal, and shall leave record thereof by drawing up the respective minutes.

Outside the right-of-way, on private property, advertising may be developed in the urban environment, of which it forms an integral and necessary part, provided the corresponding technical regulations are complied with; in the interurban environment, it must conserve the current density and characteristics and seek its adaptability within a more environmentally friendly setting; in the rural environment, the conservation of the rural landscape setting must be sought, but without losing sight that even in this environment advertising is necessary to announce businesses or services present in these places.

The MOPT shall sanction the infraction of the provisions of this article with a fine equivalent to twice the fine stipulated in category B, as follows:

• a)To whoever places advertisements or signs for advertising purposes within the right-of-way. If it involves a juridical person, the sanction shall be applied to whoever holds its legal representation.
• b)To whoever places structures with advertising on private property without observing the alignment distance opposite national routes determined by the MOPT. If it involves a juridical person, the sanction shall be applied to whoever holds its legal representation.
• c)To the owner of a property who facilitates, authorizes, or permits the permanence of structures with advertising without the respective authorizations. If it involves a juridical person, the sanction shall be applied to whoever holds its legal representation.

The traffic authorities may remove obstacles, notices, or signs that, due to similarity, shape, color, and placement, may hinder the reading of traffic signs or take any other measure to guarantee the circulation of vehicles and the visibility of public roads.

No advertising announcement involving the driving of vehicles may show violations of the road safety norms and components regulated in this law, and may not contradict them.

In order to exercise control, surveillance, and regulation over the weights, loads, and dimensions of motor vehicles circulating on public land routes, as well as the materials and goods they transport, the MOPT shall establish control points to verify the authorized weights and dimensions and other aspects associated with the loads, as shall be defined by regulation. Once the verification is carried out, the authorities must issue the respective weighing voucher, which must be carried during the transit route of the load.

The control points may be located in fixed stations or at different points of the national road network through mobile stations.

For the operation of said stations, the support of the Traffic Police (Policía de Tránsito) shall be available, and the verification of the other requirements for circulation defined in this law shall also be carried out there.

The MOPT and the municipalities shall be obligated to protect the right-of-way of the routes, in accordance with their respective competencies, by removing any obstacles, constructions, signs, advertising billboards, signals, or illegally installed announcements, and shall ensure that on the country's land routes there are no architectural barriers that impede the free transit of elderly persons or those with functional limitations.

The Executive Branch, by decree, shall set the fees to be paid for driver's license rights, registration for road safety education courses, medical or practical examinations, and other services provided by the Traffic Police, Traffic Engineering, Roadway Education, and the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) itself. In the case of services for sporting events on public land routes, the provisions of special law shall apply.

(Thus amended by Article 22 of the Law to Regulate Sporting Events on Public Land Routes, No. 9920 of November 19, 2020)

The following, when duly identified or, failing that, by means of the corresponding official identification, are exempt from the payment of fees charged at toll stations located on public roads or private roads for public use in the national territory, and from presenting to the authorities any voucher related to those fees, even in the case of concessioned public roads: official police vehicles, public or private ambulances, vehicles of the Costa Rican Red Cross Association (Asociación Cruz Roja Costarricense), those of the Fire Department (Cuerpo de Bomberos), those of the Ministry of Justice (Ministerio de Justicia) transporting persons subject to the penitentiary regime, as well as those of the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial).

(Thus amended by Article 2 of Law No. 9355 of May 11, 2016, "Amendment of Several Laws for the Financing of the Costa Rican Red Cross Association")

From the sums collected for fines for infractions, as indicated in subsection c) of Article 10 of Law No. 6324, Road Administration Law (Ley de Administración Vial), of May 24, 1979, and its amendments, Cosevi shall make, semi-annually, the following transfers of the net sums collected once the commissions paid to the entities authorized for the collection of fines and their accessories have been deducted.

• a)Twenty-three percent (23%) to the National Board for Children (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia) for the attention of the purposes and the development of institutional programs.
• b)Five percent (5%) for the Costa Rican Red Cross Association (Asociación Cruz Roja Costarricense), a sum that shall be distributed among the different auxiliary committees of the country, taking into account the formula: fifty percent (50%) population of their area of influence, thirty percent (30%) of incidents attended on public roads according to 9-1-1 statistics, twenty percent (20%) of the internal institutional annual rating.
• c)Three percent (3%) to the Ministry of Justice and Peace (Ministerio de Justicia y Paz) for the attention of the responsibilities assigned to it by this law.
• d)Ninety-five percent (95%) of the amount of the fines that have been issued by municipal traffic inspectors, as a result of the infractions defined in this law, shall be transferred to the municipality where the ticket was issued. These amounts shall be allocated to capital investment in the strengthening of road safety, financing of the Municipal Traffic Inspectors Program, and for the strengthening of the Municipal Police (Policía Municipal). Said transfers are exempt from the application of Law 9635, Strengthening of Public Finances (Fortalecimiento de las Finanzas Públicas), of December 3, 2018.

(Thus amended the preceding subsection by the sole article of the Law for the Modernization of the Municipal Police, No. 10515 of September 4, 2024)

• e)The remaining percentage of what is collected from fines shall be allocated to Cosevi and shall form part of the Road Safety Fund (Fondo de Seguridad Vial), without prejudice to the specific destinations of fines for infractions to this law contained in other regulatory bodies. Ten percent (10%) of the resources provided for in this subsection shall be allocated to the financing of the educational programs defined in Article 140 and 217 of this law.

Fines issued by municipal traffic inspectors shall only be subject to the deductions of subsections d) and e).

The entities and associations that receive the above transfers shall annually present a budget liquidation report for those funds before Cosevi, no later than February 15 of the year following the allocation of the resources, and Cosevi shall communicate to the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) the results of said report for whatever is appropriate.

Cosevi is exempt from the payment of all types of taxes, direct or indirect, for the acquisition of patrol vehicles, instruments, and equipment necessary for the internal outfitting of the units, instruments, and equipment used for communication, traffic control, and road administration on public roads.

Also exempt from such taxes are the material and equipment necessary for making driver's licenses and permits, license plates, road signaling and the supplies for the Police (Policía), as well as for making retroreflective devices such as vests, capes, caps, backpacks, armbands, shoe and backpack identifiers, collars, and "jackets" used in student road safety campaigns for the protection of minors.

BY THE COSTA RICAN STATE

Official State vehicles are subject to the limitations of this law.

All State vehicles, its centralized and decentralized institutions, and local governments must bear a special license plate that identifies them with the ministry or institution to which they belong. Likewise, they must be marked with the respective institutional emblems, in accordance with what is established by regulation, with the exception of discretionary-use vehicles, semi-discretionary-use vehicles, police vehicles, and those destined for security and investigations aimed at guaranteeing the preservation and safeguarding of goods and rights of the patrimony of public entities and bodies, against fraudulent or criminal actions by officials or third parties.

(Thus amended by Article 1 of Law No. 10431 of December 13, 2023)

Official vehicles are classified by their use as follows:

• a)Discretionary and semi-discretionary use.
• b)General administrative use.
• c)Police use, security and prevention services vehicles, and emergency services vehicles.

Discretionary-use vehicles are those assigned to the President of the Republic, the President of the Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa), the Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) and of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo de Elecciones), the Vice Presidents of the Republic, the Government Ministers, the Executive Presidents of the autonomous institutions, the Comptroller General of the Republic, the Attorney General of the Republic, the Chief Prosecutor of the Republic, and the Ombudsperson (defensor de los habitantes). These vehicles have no restrictions regarding fuel, operating hours, or mileage, characteristics that the official responsible for the unit shall assume under their strict criteria.

These vehicles may bear private license plates and shall not have visible marks distinguishing them as official vehicles.

Vehicles for semidiscretionary use shall be assigned to the deputy ministers, the Deputy Comptroller General of the Republic, the Deputy Attorney General of the Republic, the Deputy Ombudsman, and the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic. These vehicles shall be subject to limitations on hours of use, fuel consumption, and mileage, but may bear private license plates and shall not have visible markings distinguishing them as official vehicles. The use of this type of vehicle shall be regulated in accordance with the regulatory provisions of each institution.

These are vehicles intended for regular transportation services for the normal operations of institutions, ministries, and local governments; they must be subject to special regulations regarding hours of use, routes, place of safekeeping during non-working hours, among others.

This includes vehicles used by the police forces of the Presidency, the ministries of Public Security, Government and Police, Justice and Peace, Public Works and Transport, and Finance, municipalities, and the Judicial Investigation Agency (Organismo de Investigación Judicial), as well as vehicles of the Fire Department and the National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias). Likewise, included within this category are vehicles used by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic (Contraloría General de la República) and the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic (Procuraduría General de la República), and those used by entities and bodies of the Public Administration in fulfilling their permanent internal control functions, duties, and competencies, to secure, preserve, prevent, and safeguard assets and rights of their patrimony and, as applicable, to suppress and sanction fraudulent or criminal actions by officials or third parties.

The institutions indicated in the preceding paragraph are authorized, upon a declaration of unusability, discard, disuse, or total loss of their vehicles, to request the deregistration of the asset before the National Registry (Registro Nacional), providing only the declaration, the respective license plates, and the identification device from the National Registry, and being exempted from the rest of the requirements set forth in the law or regulations. Once the deregistration is completed, the respective institution must inform the Ministry of Finance (Ministerio de Hacienda) of the asset subjected to deregistration.

The respective institution shall prepare a special regulation for the application of the contents of this article.

(As amended by article 2 of law No. 10431 of December 13, 2023)

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THEY ARE INVOLVED, AND THEIR LOAN

Responsibility for the proper use of official vehicles shall rest with the senior authority of each ministry or the respective institution, through the internal unit responsible for their administration.

Said unit shall regulate aspects related to authorizations for use, personnel authorized to drive, internal control systems, prohibitions, and procedures in the event of traffic accidents.

In the event of accidents involving official vehicles, the private individual must appear before or communicate with the corresponding internal unit in order to carry out the necessary steps. The driver of the official vehicle is prohibited from making out-of-court settlements.

A driver who is judicially declared responsible for an accident in which they participated with the official vehicle must pay the amount corresponding to the deductible, as well as any compensation that the institution to which they belong must pay to affected third parties, or the entirety when the cost of the damage is less than the deductible amount.

Any person who allows another person to drive an official vehicle without justified cause or without due authorization is equally responsible.

State vehicles, those of its centralized and decentralized institutions, and local governments may be used, in exceptional cases, by another institution. Unless an express provision provides otherwise, the beneficiary assumes responsibility for its operation. In the event of total loss, due to accident or theft, the costs shall be borne by the beneficiary.

The importation and sale of child safety seats, booster seats or "boosters," and devices applicable to seat belts for the protection of persons under twelve years of age who measure less than 1.45 meters in height are exempt from all taxes, with the exception of sales tax. Likewise, airbag systems, safety devices, head restraints, safety helmets, retroreflective and protective clothing for cyclists and motorcyclists, warning triangles, and retroreflective vests are exempt from any tax.

The safety equipment of cyclists, as well as bicycles whose value is less than one thousand United States dollars (US $1,000.00), shall be exempt from tax payments, except for sales tax.

Articles 56 bis, 110, 117, 128, 254 bis(*), and article 393 of the Penal Code, Law No. 4573 of May 4, 1970, and its amendments, are amended to read as follows:

(*) (Sinalevi Note: In accordance with the amendment made by the Law on Computer-Related Crimes and Connected Offenses, No. 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Penal Code, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

"Article 56 bis.- Community service Community service consists of the unpaid service to be rendered by the convicted person for the benefit of public institutions and private non-profit organizations, declared to be of public interest or public utility.

Institutions and organizations interested in receiving community service must request it from the Judicial Branch, which must maintain a registry of authorized entities.

Control over execution shall correspond to the Directorate General of Social Adaptation (Dirección General de Adaptación Social), a function that it shall coordinate with the entities for whose benefit the service is rendered. In the event that these entities facilitate non-compliance with the sentence or otherwise hinder the control of its execution, they shall be excluded from the pertinent registry.

The service shall be rendered in the places, at the times, and for the period determined by the judge, who shall endeavor, when establishing the service schedule, not to interrupt the usual workday of the convicted person, if employed or attending an educational center.

The Directorate General of Social Adaptation must inform the sentence enforcement judge of the fulfillment of the sanction. Non-compliance shall empower the sentence enforcement judge to revoke it." "Article 110.- Confiscation The crime produces the loss, in favor of the State, of the instruments with which it was committed and of the things or values derived from its commission, or that constitute for the perpetrator a profit derived from the same crime, except for the rights that the victim or third parties may have over them.

Vehicles involved in the commission of the acts typified in article 254 bis of the Penal Code are excluded from this provision." "Article 117.- Culpable homicide A prison sentence of six months to eight years shall be imposed on whoever kills another by negligence. In fitting the penalty to the responsible party, the court must consider the degree of fault and the number of victims, as well as the magnitude of the damages caused. In all cases, the perpetrator of the culpable homicide shall also be disqualified from exercising the profession, trade, art, or activity in which the act occurred for a period of one to five years.

A prison sentence of one year to ten years and disqualification from driving all types of vehicles for a period of three to seven years shall be imposed on whoever, by negligence and by means of a motor vehicle, has caused the death of a person, when the perpetrator is engaged in category A conduct under the Law on Traffic on Public Land Routes and Road Safety, or under the influence of alcoholic beverages, with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding zero point seventy-five grams (0.75 g) per liter of blood or with a breath alcohol concentration exceeding zero point thirty-eight milligrams (0.38 mg) per liter.

The same penalty shall be applied in cases where the perpetrator of the act is a professional driver or a driver whose driver's license was issued for the first time within a period of less than three years, with respect to the day on which the presence of alcohol was detected, when the blood alcohol concentration exceeds zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) of alcohol per liter of blood or when the breath alcohol concentration exceeds zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) per liter, or in cases where the perpetrator of the act is under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics, psychotropic substances, or other substances that produce states of alteration and analogous energizing or depressive effects, in accordance with the definitions, scope, and characteristics established by the Ministry of Health.

In the case of a repeat offender of any of the conducts indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the minimum penalty of disqualification from driving all types of vehicles shall be five years, and the maximum may be up to nine years.

When a prison sentence of three years or less is imposed, the court may substitute the custodial sentence with a monetary fine, which may not be less than one base salary nor greater than three monthly base salaries corresponding to "Administrative Assistant One," as appearing in the Position Schedule of the Judicial Branch, in accordance with the ordinary budget law of the Republic, approved in the month of November prior to the date on which the traffic violation associated with an alternative measure of community service was committed, which may range from three hundred eighty hours to one thousand eight hundred hours of service, in the places and manner ordered by the competent jurisdictional authority." "Article 128.- Culpable injuries A prison sentence of up to one year, or up to one hundred day-fines, shall be imposed on whoever, by negligence, causes another injuries defined in articles 123, 124, and 125. For fitting the penalty to the responsible party, the court must consider the degree of fault, the number of victims, and the magnitude of the damages caused.

In all cases, the perpetrator of culpable injuries shall also be disqualified from exercising the profession, trade, art, or activity in which the act occurred for a period of six months to two years.

A prison sentence of three months to three years and disqualification from driving all types of vehicles for one to three years shall be imposed on whoever, by negligence and by means of a vehicle, has caused injuries to a person, when the perpetrator is engaged in the conducts established in category A of the Law on Traffic on Public Land Routes and Road Safety or under the influence of alcoholic beverages, with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding zero point seventy-five grams (0.75 g) per liter of blood or with a breath alcohol concentration exceeding zero point thirty-eight milligrams (0.38 mg) per liter.

The same penalty shall be applied in cases where the perpetrator of the act is a professional driver or a driver whose driver's license was issued for the first time within a period of less than three years, with respect to the day on which the presence of alcohol was detected, when the blood alcohol concentration exceeds zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) of alcohol per liter of blood or when the breath alcohol concentration exceeds zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) per liter, or in cases where the perpetrator of the act is under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics, psychotropic substances, or other substances that produce states of alteration and analogous energizing or depressive effects, in accordance with the definitions, scope, and characteristics established by the Ministry of Health.

In the case of a repeat offender of any of the conducts indicated in the preceding paragraphs, the minimum penalty of disqualification from driving all types of vehicles shall be three years, and the maximum may be up to seven years.

When a prison sentence of three years or less is imposed, the court may substitute the custodial sentence with a monetary fine, which may not be less than one base salary nor greater than three monthly base salaries corresponding to "Administrative Assistant One," as appearing in the Position Schedule of the Judicial Branch, in accordance with the ordinary budget law of the Republic, approved in the month of November prior to the date on which the traffic violation associated with an alternative measure of community service was committed, which may range from two hundred hours to nine hundred fifty hours of service, in the places and manner ordered by the competent jurisdictional authority." "Article 254 bis(*).- Reckless driving A prison sentence of one to three years shall be imposed in the following cases:

• a)On whoever drives a motor vehicle on public roads in illicit races.
• b)On whoever drives a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding one hundred fifty kilometers per hour (150 km/h).
• c)On whoever drives a motor vehicle on public roads under the influence of alcoholic beverages, with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding zero point seventy-five grams (0.75 g) per liter of blood or with a breath alcohol concentration exceeding zero point thirty-eight milligrams (0.38 mg) per liter, in both cases for any type of driver, or with a blood alcohol concentration exceeding zero point fifty grams (0.50 g) of alcohol per liter of blood or with a breath alcohol concentration exceeding zero point twenty-five milligrams (0.25 mg) per liter, in both cases, if the driver is a professional driver or a driver whose driver's license was issued for the first time within a period of less than three years, with respect to the day on which the presence of alcohol was detected.

The same penalty shall apply to whoever drives under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics, psychotropic substances, or other substances that produce states of alteration and analogous energizing or depressive effects, in accordance with the definitions, scope, and characteristics established by the Ministry of Health.

In all the above circumstances, the person shall also be disqualified from driving all types of vehicles for two to four years.

For a repeat offender, the prison sentence shall be increased by one-third.

When a prison sentence of two years or less is imposed, the court may commute the custodial sentence to a monetary fine, which may not be less than one base salary nor greater than three monthly base salaries corresponding to "Administrative Assistant One," as appearing in the Position Schedule of the Judicial Branch, in accordance with the ordinary budget law of the Republic approved in the month of November prior to the date on which the traffic violation was committed, or the imposition of an alternative measure of community service, which may range from one hundred hours to three hundred hours of service, in the places and manner ordered by the competent jurisdictional authority.

The penalty of disqualification shall be communicated to the competent body of the MOPT for its effective application."

(*) (Sinalevi Note: In accordance with the amendment made by the Law on Computer-Related Crimes and Connected Offenses, No. 9048 of July 10, 2012, which renumbered the articles of the Penal Code, numeral 254 bis, which punishes reckless driving, now corresponds to 261 bis)

"Article 393.- Shall be punished with a penalty of five to thirty day-fines:

Unauthorized use of public roads a) Anyone who installs notices or signs that, by similarity, shape, color, and placement, may hinder the reading of official traffic signs, the circulation of vehicles, or the visibility of the roads.

• b)Anyone who places advertisements, signs, or structures with advertising within the right-of-way that affect visibility or road safety and lack the respective permits.
• c)Anyone who uses public roads to conduct sales or lucrative activities, permanent vehicle repair, juggling acts, circus acts, begging, or other acts that obstruct the free flow of traffic.
• d)Anyone who occupies, without due authorization, urban and suburban public roads to build sections or stalls for popular, patronal, or other festivities.
• e)Anyone who throws objects or substances onto a public road that endanger road safety.

Alteration of official traffic devices and signs a) Anyone who alters, damages, removes without authorization, or makes unauthorized use of official traffic devices and signs.

Omission to place signs or to remove them a) Anyone who fails to place or removes without authorization the signs or notices ordered by law, regulations, or the authority, to indicate houses or places where there is a risk of collapse or other threat, or to warn persons in a place of public transit, or whoever extinguishes a light placed as a signal.

Annoyances to passersby or drivers a) Anyone who obstructs or in any way hinders traffic on public roads or their sidewalks with materials, debris, or objects, or crosses them with vehicles, beams, wires, or similar objects, without using the means required by the case to avoid damage or annoyance to passersby or drivers, if these were placed without a license from the competent authority.

Infraction of regulations concerning public roads a) Anyone who violates the laws or regulations concerning the opening, maintenance, or repair of public transit routes, when the act does not warrant a more serious sanction."

7594 of April 10, 1996, and its amendments, is amended to read as follows:

"Article 25.- Applicability When the conditional suspension of the sentence is appropriate, or in cases for crimes sanctioned exclusively with non-custodial penalties, the defendant may request the suspension of the procedure on probation, provided that, during the five previous years, they have not benefited from this measure or from the extinction of the criminal action due to reparations or conciliation. For these purposes, the Judicial Registry (Registro Judicial) shall maintain a file of beneficiaries.

The measure shall not be applicable in intentional crimes when the act was committed through force against property or violence against persons. The request must contain a plan to repair the damage caused by the crime, to the satisfaction of the victim of known domicile, and a detail of the conditions that the defendant is willing to fulfill, in accordance with the following article. The plan may consist of conciliation with the victim, in-kind repair of the damage caused, or symbolic repair, immediately or in installments. If, upon filing the request, an indictment does not yet exist, the Public Prosecutor's Office (Ministerio Público) shall describe the act imputed to the defendant.

To grant the benefit, it is an indispensable condition that the defendant admits the act attributed to them and that the victim expresses their conformity with the suspension of the process on probation.

In an oral hearing, the court shall hear the request from the prosecutor, the victim of known domicile, as well as the defendant, and shall rule immediately, unless it defers that discussion for the preliminary hearing. The resolution shall establish the conditions under which the procedure is suspended or the request is rejected and shall approve or modify the repair plan proposed by the defendant, according to criteria of reasonableness.

The suspension of the procedure may be requested at any time, up until the opening of the trial is ordered, and shall not prevent the exercise of civil action before the respective courts.

If the defendant's request is not admitted or the procedure is subsequently resumed, the defendant's admission of the facts may not be considered as a confession.

When the plan to repair the damage caused by the crime incorporates community service, it must observe the regulations of article 56 bis of the Penal Code."

Articles 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 15, and 22 of Law No. 6324, Road Administration Law, of May 24, 1979, and its amendments, are amended to read as follows:

"Article 3.- The Road Administration shall be constituted by:

• 1)The Cosevi, 2) The Directorate General of Road Safety Education (Dirección General de Educación Vial), 3) The Directorate General of Traffic Engineering (Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito), 4) The Directorate General of the Traffic Police (Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito)." "Article 5.- The Board of Directors is the highest body of the Cosevi and is composed of the following members:
• a)The Minister of Public Works and Transport or their delegate, who shall preside over it.
• b)The Minister of Public Education or their delegate.
• c)The Minister of Health or their delegate.
• d)A representative of the local governments.
• e)A representative of the Federated College of Engineers and Architects.

The members defined in subparagraphs d) and e) must possess, at a minimum, a university or para-university academic degree. For their appointment, each organization must submit to the Government Council a list of three candidates, from which one shall be chosen based on suitability criteria.

The Board of Directors shall appoint a person to the position of vice president for annual terms.

All the officials referred to in this article shall serve as members of the Board of Directors while they remain appointed to their respective positions. In the case of delegates, their status shall be subject to the validity of the appointment of the principal.

The president of the Board of Directors shall have the judicial and extrajudicial representation of the Cosevi, with the powers established in article 1253 of the Civil Code for generalissimos and the powers expressly granted by the Board of Directors for special cases. The president of the Board of Directors may grant general, judicial, and special powers when it is of proven interest to the Cosevi.

"Article 9.- The Council shall have the following functions:

• a)To review analyses of matters concerning traffic, in order to identify road safety problems and make the recommendations it deems pertinent.
• b)To review and approve guidelines, priorities, and projects for road safety promotion programs.
• c)To propose to the Executive Branch the regulations concerning the transit of persons, vehicles, and goods where the traffic law has jurisdiction, as well as in all aspects of road safety and environmental pollution caused by motor vehicles.
• d)To approve the amounts for reparations, charges, permits, certifications, damage to road signs, special escorts, courses, study materials, and transfers arising from the various services provided by the directorates of Road Safety Education, Traffic Engineering, and Traffic Police.
• e)To administer the Road Safety Fund and allocate the necessary sums for programs, projects, tasks, operations, logistical support, and everything related to strengthening road safety and reducing environmental pollution required by the directorates of Traffic Engineering, Road Safety Education, the Traffic Police, and the Cosevi itself.
• f)To review, process, and resolve any other matter submitted to it by the minister of Public Works and Transport.

• a)The sums allocated to it in the ordinary budgets of the Republic.
• b)Thirty-three percent (33%) of the commercial premium from the mandatory vehicle insurance. Insurer entities shall be considered for these purposes as withholding and collection agents, in accordance with the Code of Tax Rules and Procedures, Law No. 4755 of May 3, 1971, and its amendments, of the sum collected for the mandatory vehicle insurance, which must be transferred monthly.
• c)Revenues from fines for traffic violations established by law.
• d)Donations received from decentralized State entities, which are authorized to make them, as well as from natural or legal persons in the private sector.
• e)Revenues generated from the various services provided by the directorates of Road Safety Education, Traffic Engineering, Traffic Police, and the Cosevi itself.
• f)The supplementary contributions agreed upon by the Administrative Council of the National Road Council, in order to support programs to improve road safety.

The resources of this fund shall be administered in accordance with Law No. 8131, Financial Administration of the Republic and Public Budgets, of September 18, 2001.

The setting of any spending limit regarding the execution of the aforementioned funds must consider both the current expenses of the Cosevi and the amount budgeted for capital investment, in accordance with the revenue projections made by the institution, so that it can fulfill the functions established in this law." "Article 15.- The Traffic Engineering Directorate shall have a Coordinating and Technical Assistance Office to advise municipalities on aspects of traffic engineering, planning, and regulation. Programs, plans, and designs for projects related to traffic in the cantons must be reviewed and approved within a period of up to thirty business days by the Directorate General of Traffic Engineering before being executed by the respective municipality; once this period has expired without an opinion having been issued, they shall be deemed approved. The foregoing is without prejudice to projects involving the relocation or approval of public transport stops, in transit or terminals, which require the approval of the Public Transport Council (Consejo de Transporte Público), so in these cases the preceding time limit shall not apply with respect to this institution." "Article 22.- The Cosevi shall have, as part of its organic structure, an Executive Directorate subordinate to the Board of Directors, which shall be headed by an executive director, who shall be the highest-ranking official for purposes of its direction and administration.

The executive director of the Cosevi shall be appointed by the Board of Directors, and their term shall expire with the new appointment made by it."

7648, Organic Law of the National Children's Trust (Patronato Nacional de la Infancia), of December 9, 1996, and its amendments, is amended to read as follows:

"Article 34.- Funding sources To fully achieve its goals and optimally develop its programs, the National Children's Trust shall have the following funding sources:

• a)The State shall include in the national budget an item equivalent to seven percent (7%) of the amount collected in the prior fiscal year for income tax, which shall be transferred to the Trust in a single payment in the month of January of each year.
• b)The National Directorate of Social Development and Family Allowances shall transfer, in favor of the Board, a minimum percentage of four percent (4%) of the Social Development and Family Allowances Fund. The exact amount shall be determined by the Board's justification based on the specific projects and programs it must develop. The Comptroller General of the Republic shall oversee compliance with this provision.
• c)The amount allocated in accordance with subsection a) of article 234 of the Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial.
• d)Income from donations and loans, both national and international, in accordance with the law.
• e)Income from services and productive activities of the institution, which must be included in the Board's budget."

7088, on tax readjustment, of November 30, 1987 Subsection n) of article 9 of Law No. 7088, on tax readjustment, of November 30, 1987, is amended. Said subsection shall henceforth read as follows:

"Article 9.- A tax is established on the ownership of motor vehicles, watercraft, and aircraft, which shall be governed by the following provisions:

[...]

• n)In addition to the vehicle ownership tax, in accordance with the preceding subsections, an annual contribution per vehicle of one thousand colones is established. Said contribution shall be distributed in the following proportion: fifty-six percent (56%) to the Asociación de Guías y Scouts de Costa Rica; ten percent (10%) to the Centro Diurno de Atención al Ciudadano en la Tercera Edad (Ascate); four percent (4%) to the Asociación Hogar de Ancianos de Pérez Zeledón; fifteen percent (15%) to the Patronato Nacional de Rehabilitación, and fifteen percent (15%) to the Asociación Pueblito de Costa Rica. The contribution shall be updated annually based on the consumer price index.

Vehicles for governmental or official use are exempted from this provision.

Insurance entities, in the process of collecting the mandatory automobile insurance, shall collect the amounts referred to in this subsection n), the vehicle ownership tax, and the contribution defined for Cosevi in Law No. 6324, of May 24, 1979, and its amendments, as well as other charges defined by regulation. The amounts collected shall be transferred monthly or within a shorter period, in accordance with the regulations issued by the Executive Branch on the operational aspects of these taxes. For collection purposes, the parties must sign the necessary contracts that cover the costs of said collection, without prejudice to the applicable regulations.

[.]"

8696 Articles 1, 2, and 3 of chapter I and articles 4, 6 subsections a) and c), 11, and 12 of chapter II of Law No. 8696, Partial Reform of the Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, Law No. 7331, and Related Norms, of December 17, 2008, are repealed, as is any other legal provision, in criminal, traffic, and road administration matters, that contradicts it.

This law is a matter of public order and repeals all other legal provisions in traffic and road administration matters that contradict it or are incompatible with its application.

(The preceding title thus added by the sole article of law No. 9589 of July 4, 2018, "Authorization for the Fuerza Pública to complement the work of the Policía de Tránsito in vehicle control and surveillance")

(Thus added by the sole article of law No. 9589 of July 4, 2018, "Authorization for the Fuerza Pública to complement the work of the Policía de Tránsito in vehicle control and surveillance")

The MOPT, within a period of one year, counted from the effective date of this law, must proceed, in accordance with the procedures provided for in this law, to the donation or auction of vehicles located in the impound lots for vehicles detained for infractions of Law No. 7331, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, of April 13, 1993, and its amendments, prior to February 28, 2010, and whose identification by license plate number, engine number, chassis number, or VIN is not possible, thereby preventing the express and individualized summons necessary for the safeguarding of situations raised in judicial proceedings, unless said vehicles or scrap are at the disposal of judicial authorities which must have the respective order and authorization from the judge.

Cosevi is granted a maximum period of twelve months, counted from the publication of this law, to establish and operationalize the DEV database. Once said period has expired, all communication shall be made to the DEV provided by the user.

During the twelve months that the implementation of said database lasts, notifications that must be made to drivers and registered vehicle owners, on the occasion of an infraction of this law, shall be made a single time through publication in the official gazette La Gaceta.

The permanent driver evaluation system shall enter into force within a period of six months, counted from the publication of this law. During said period, the current content of Law No. 7331, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, of April 13, 1993, and its amendments, regarding the points system, shall continue to apply.

During this period, Cosevi must develop information and outreach campaigns, so that drivers become aware of the scope and purposes dictated by this law and its effects.

Cosevi is authorized, for a maximum period of twelve months counted from the effective date of this law, to make current expenditures and investments charged to the Road Safety Fund, in order to execute the provisions of this law, within its scope of competence.

Upon the effective date of this law, each driver shall maintain the tally of points that had been applied to their license based on the previous law, which shall be adjusted in accordance with the parameters defined by this law, insofar as they do not impose more burdensome conditions on offenders.

Cosevi shall maintain the licenses issued in the class, type, and validity period that were issued and are valid at the time of the publication of this law. When renewing the driver's license, no new requirements shall be requested.

A-4 type licenses issued prior to the publication of this law shall retain their validity until their expiration. For their renewal, an A-3 type license shall be granted.

A period of six months, counted from the publication of this law, is granted for accredited drivers and vehicle owners to appear before the competent authority to report or update their electronic road address (dirección electrónica vial), for the purposes of communicating the various acts established in this law.

Port administration entities, both public and private, are granted a period of one year from the publication of this law to implement and install the respective weighing systems, in compliance with subsection g) of article 122.

Cosevi and the immigration and customs authorities are granted a period of one year from the publication of this law, to implement and put into operation the information controls and ordinances established in article 193 of this law.

The MOPT is granted a maximum period of eighteen months, counted from the effective date of this law, to put into operation the mobile laboratories for taking samples and confirmatory or contrast tests and to have the trained personnel, established in article 208.

Until the maximum period indicated here, when the interested party requests the acting traffic officer to perform another test, whether of blood, urine, or another analogous one, according to the nature of the test originally performed, said officer shall proceed to immediately transfer them to the public or private health clinic or hospital, as indicated to them and that appears on the official list of centers authorized by the Ministry of Health, which must be sent to the Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito and to Cosevi for dissemination. In those centers, the test must be performed without the need for a court order, and the results shall be delivered to the acting officer as quickly as possible, so that they may proceed accordingly.

The Consejo Nacional de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero (Conassif) is granted a period of six months from the publication of this law, to propose to the Executive Branch the regulation of the chapter regarding mandatory automobile insurance.

The Executive Branch is granted a period of six months, counted from the effective date of this law, to formulate the regulation required by article 38 of this law, specifically regarding the limits on polluting emissions from motor vehicles. Until said regulation is issued, the provisions established in Decreto N.º 28280 MOPT-MINAE-S for gasoline and similar fuel vehicles, and those established for diesel fuel vehicles in article 36 of Law No. 7331, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, of April 13, 1993, and its amendments, shall apply.

As long as special legislation is not enacted to regulate exterior visual communication on private property facing national and cantonal routes, the regulatory and supervisory bodies are not determined, and Decreto Ejecutivo 29253-MOPT named "Reglamento de los derechos de vía y publicidad exterior" is not repealed, the MOPT shall be responsible for approving or denying the permits processed, within a maximum period of thirty calendar days from their application. The criterion issued by the MOPT shall prevail in cases concerning the matter in relation to national routes.

The Executive Branch is granted a period of six months, counted from the effective date of this law, to formulate the regulation required by article 39 of this law, specifically regarding the noise limits for motor vehicles. Until said regulation is issued, the provisions established in article 122 of Law No. 7331, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, of April 13, 1993, and its amendments, and its respective regulation, shall apply.

For a period of six months, counted from the effective date of this law, the owners of vehicles who have not submitted their sale deeds to the Registro Nacional, executed before the effective date of this law, may do so without paying the vehicle transfer tax; they shall only pay the respective stamps and corresponding fees, without fines or interest.

Vehicle owners who were compensated for theft or actual total loss of the property, before the effective date of this law, may process the deregistration of the vehicle without paying taxes, mandatory vehicle insurance, and corresponding fees.

The challenge processes initiated under Law No. 8696, Partial Reform of the Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres, Law No. 7331, and Related Norms, of December 17, 2008, must be concluded in accordance with the provisions of said law.

The resolutions concluding such processes must adjust the sanctions as follows:

• a)Economic sanctions shall be adjusted to the parameters established in this law, insofar as they are not more burdensome for the administered party.
• b)The points reduced or deducted, except when the license is suspended, shall be deemed as not applied.

The MOPT must make the corresponding budgetary inclusions so that the entire payroll of the Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito is incorporated into its payroll and covered by its budget, no later than the budget year following the publication of this law.

Buses and minibuses authorized by the CTP on a regular route at the time this law enters into force shall not see their original nature as a bus or minibus modified, even if passenger capacity is decreased due to the adaptation of ramps or lifts for wheelchairs, provided this is done to comply with the provisions of transitory provision VIII of Law No. 7600, Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, of May 2, 1996, and its modifications.

The Executive Branch is granted a period of three months counted from the effective date of this law to adopt the necessary measures for the implementation of the provisions of article 5 of this law.

The Executive Branch is granted a period of six months counted from the effective date of this law, to implement the control systems necessary for compliance with the provisions of article 193 of this law. The procedure set forth in the second and third paragraphs of the referenced article shall apply until the expiration of this period.

The provision contained in article 248 of this law, regarding the amendment of article 5 of Law No. 6324, Ley de Administración Vial, of May 24, 1979, and its amendments, concerning the composition of the Junta Directiva of Cosevi, shall enter into force as of May 8, 2014.

The Executive Branch is granted a period of twelve months counted from the effective date of this law, to implement the courses referred to in articles 86 and 87 applicable to B-4 and C type licenses. During this period, said requirement shall not be demanded of those applying for the homologation of a foreign license.

The owners of right-hand drive vehicles registered as of the date of publication of this law must carry out the conversion of the steering wheel so that it is located on the left side of the vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of subsection d) of article 32 of this law. This must be done within a maximum, non-extendable period of six months counted from the publication of this law.

The modification must be certified by a mechanical engineer incorporated into the respective professional association, and the verification of this conversion must be carried out at the CIVE, which shall communicate to the Registro Nacional so that, through a marginal note on the vehicle's registration entry, the consumer is informed about the change in the vehicle's characteristics.

It shall be effective upon its publication.

Given at the Presidencia de la República.-San José, on the fourth day of the month of October of the year two thousand twelve.

(*)(Corrected by Fe de Erratas and published in Alcance digital N° 166 to La Gaceta N° 207 of October 26, 2012. Previously it stated: "Given at the Presidencia de la República.-San José, on the fourth day of the month of October of the year two thousand eleven")

Transitory Provision XXIV- The entirety of the money collected from fines established for the vehicle restriction in a national emergency, within the framework of the national emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic declared by the Government, shall be used to finance the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS). This provision shall take effect from when the national emergency is decreed until its lifting.

For compliance with the provisions of this transitory provision, the provisions of article 234 of Law 9078, Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial, of October 4, 2012, shall not apply, solely with respect to fines for infraction of the sanitary vehicle restriction.

(Thus added by article 5 of law No. 9838 of April 3, 2020, Establece la restricción vehicular en casos de emergencia nacional previamente decretada)

(Thus amended by article 2 of the Law for the balance of fines for vehicle restriction in cases of national emergency, No. 9910 of October 30, 2020)

Transitory Provision XXV.- For the purposes of providing the public transportation service, in relation to the useful life of the units, it is authorized, on a one-time basis, that units in the regular route bus modality, models 2007 and 2008, may be used in the public transportation service and circulate for up to one year from the effective date of this law. This provision applies solely and exclusively to bus companies classified as micro, small, and medium-sized, according to the classification of the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep), and cooperatives in the public transportation sector falling within those classifications. The entity responsible for carrying out the vehicle technical inspection must previously verify compliance with the technical requirements of the public transportation fleet operating under this authorization. Transportation units that exceed fifteen years of age, and avail themselves of the additional period established in this transitory provision, must undergo the vehicle technical inspection every four months and comply with the accessibility conditions established in Ley 7600, Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, of May 2, 1996, and its regulation.

During the validity of this transitory provision, both the Consejo de Transporte Público and the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos shall have the operation of the units covered by this provision authorized, for all operational, tariff, and legal aspects.

(Thus added by article 1 of Law No. 10444 of January 31, 2024, Ley para garantizar el servicio de autobús para los usuarios)

Esta ley regula la circulación, por las vías públicas terrestres, de los vehículos y de las personas que intervengan en el sistema de tránsito. Asimismo, regula la circulación de los vehículos en las gasolineras, en estacionamientos públicos, privados de uso público o comerciales regulados por el Estado, las playas y en las vías privadas, de conformidad con el artículo 207 de la presente ley.

Se excluyen los parqueos privados de las casas de habitación y de los edificios, públicos o privados, que sean destinados únicamente a los usuarios internos de dichas edificaciones, donde privará la regulación interna de tales establecimientos.

Igualmente, regula todo lo relativo a la seguridad vial, a su financiamiento, al pago de impuestos, multas, derechos de tránsito y lo referente al régimen de la propiedad de los vehículos automotores, tutelado por el Registro Nacional, a excepción del régimen de tránsito ferroviario y el tránsito de semovientes en la vía pública. En estos últimos dos casos, el interesado deberá hacer valer sus derechos en el proceso civil correspondiente.

Para la interpretación de esta ley y de su reglamento, tienen el carácter de definiciones:

1. Accidente de tránsito: acción culposa cometida por los conductores de los vehículos, sus pasajeros o los peatones, al transitar por los lugares a los que se refiere el artículo 1 de esta ley. En el accidente de tránsito debe estar involucrado al menos un vehículo y producirse muerte o lesiones de personas y/o daños en los bienes a consecuencia de la infracción de esta ley.

2. Acera: vía destinada al tránsito de los peatones.

3. Alcoholimetría: análisis bioquímico para determinar la presencia del alcohol en la sangre o el aire aspirado y su cantidad.

4. Alcoholemia: es el resultado de la alcoholimetría.

5. Anuncio: escritura, impreso, pintura, emblema, dibujo u otro medio informativo, ubicado en la propiedad privada, cuyo propósito sea la publicidad comercial o llamar la atención sobre un producto, artículo, marca de fábrica, actividad comercial, negocio, servicio, actividad recreativa, profesión u ocupación domiciliaria, que se ofrezca, venda o preste en un sitio distinto de aquel donde aparezca tal anuncio.

6. Anuncio informativo: medio informativo ubicado en derecho de vía, cuyo propósito sea informar al usuario del camino sobre servicios, actividades y destinos turísticos o de otra naturaleza que se presten en un sitio distinto de aquel donde aparezca tal anuncio.

7. Autobús: vehículo automotor destinado al transporte masivo de personas cuya capacidad sea para más de cuarenta y cuatro pasajeros sentados, independientemente de los pasajeros de pie que pueda transportar. También, serán considerados como tales los vehículos automotores, articulados o no, con destino, diseño y dimensiones similares al descrito anteriormente, que aun con una capacidad de pasajeros sentados menor a la indicada han sido diseñados especialmente para el transporte cómodo y seguro de altas densidades de pasajeros de pie, de forma tal que por su ajuste a las políticas de transporte público y energéticas imperantes en ruta regular sean calificados como tales mediante reglamento dictado por el Poder Ejecutivo.

8. Automóvil: vehículo automotor destinado al transporte de personas, con una capacidad máxima hasta de ocho pasajeros, según su diseño.

9. Autopista: vía de acceso restringido de cuatro o más carriles de circulación sea que cuente o no con una isla central divisoria.

10. Aviso: elemento de interés general, sin fines de publicidad comercial.

11. Bahía de parada de transporte público: espacio debidamente autorizado como tal y complementario a la estructura de la vía, utilizado como zona de transición entre la calzada y el andén, destinado temporalmente al abordaje y desabordaje de pasajeros, a vehículos de transporte público en ruta regular.

12. Bicicleta: vehículo de dos o más ruedas impulsado por tracción humana o asistida y accionado mediante pedales. En su versión electroasistida la velocidad máxima del mecanismo de asistencia al pedaleo, en superficie plana, no supera los 25 km/h e igualmente debe ser pedaleada para avanzar.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 1° de la ley N° 10651 del 10 de marzo de 2025, "Reforma Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres y Seguridad Vial, Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, para la ampliación del concepto de bicicleta")

13. Bicimoto: vehículo de dos ruedas con motor térmico de cilindrada no superior a 50 cc o en el caso de vehículos con motores distintos de los de combustión interna, con una potencia hasta de 5 kw, cuyo sistema de dirección es accionada por manillar.

14. Boleta de citación: fórmula mediante la cual se notifica, física o electrónicamente, a una persona la infracción que se le atribuye y se le emplaza a comparecer ante la autoridad competente.

15. Buseta: vehículo automotor dedicado al transporte de personas con una capacidad de entre veintiséis y cuarenta y cuatro pasajeros sentados.

16. Calcomanía: etiqueta adhesiva de tamaño variable usada con fines distintivos y/o de control para la circulación de vehículos.

17. Calzada: superficie de la vía sobre la que transitan los vehículos y que está compuesta por uno o varios carriles de circulación. No incluye el espaldón.

18. Calles locales: vías públicas incluidas dentro del cuadrante de un área urbana que no estén clasificadas como travesías urbanas de la red vial nacional.

19. Caminos no clasificados: caminos públicos tales como los caminos de herradura, las sendas, las veredas y los trillos que proporcionen acceso a muy pocos usuarios, quienes sufragarán sus costos de mantenimiento y mejoramiento. No se incluyen las categorías de caminos vecinales y calles locales.

20. Caminos vecinales: caminos públicos que dan acceso directo a las fincas y otras unidades económicas rurales, unen caseríos y poblados con la red vial nacional y se caracterizan por tener bajos volúmenes de tránsito y una alta proporción de viajes locales de corta distancia.

21. Características básicas del vehículo: marca, estilo, modelo, categoría, número de serie o chasis, número de identificación vehicular (VIN), año modelo, carrocería, capacidad, peso neto y bruto, color, número de motor, tipo de combustible, cilindrada, potencia y número de placas.

22. Carretera de acceso restringido: carretera a la cual, por disposición del Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, solo se permite el acceso o la salida de vehículos y peatones en determinadas intersecciones con otros caminos públicos. Se clasificarán como tales las vías en las cuales se determine que, por razones de capacidad o seguridad, sea conveniente limitar el acceso o la salida de los vehículos.

23. Carreteras primarias: red de rutas troncales para servir a corredores viales y que se caracterizan por tener volúmenes de tránsito relativamente altos y una alta proporción de viajes internacionales, interprovinciales o de larga distancia.

24. Carreteras secundarias: rutas no primarias que conectan cabeceras cantonales importantes u otros centros de población, producción o turismo que generen una cantidad considerable de viajes interregionales o intercantonales.

25. Carreteras terciarias: rutas que recogen el tránsito de las carreteras primarias y secundarias y que constituyen las vías principales para los viajes que se realicen dentro de una región o entre distritos importantes.

26. Carril de circulación: parte de la calzada destinada al tránsito en una sola dirección, cuyo ancho se establecerá reglamentariamente.

27. Carril central de giro a la izquierda: el carril central de giro a la izquierda está marcado con una línea externa continua y líneas internas discontinuas. Se utiliza en la franja central de las vías públicas urbanas, con cuatro o más carriles. Es una zona de refugio que permite a los conductores realizar maniobras de giro izquierdo, desde una vía secundaria o hacia una vía secundaria, sin interrumpir el libre flujo del tránsito.

28. Cilindrada: capacidad volumétrica de un cilindro o cilindros de un motor expresada en centímetros cúbicos (cm3) o litros (lts), usualmente utilizada como C.C. y L, respectivamente.

29. Centros de inspección técnica vehicular (CIVE): ente estatal o privado destinado a la inspección técnica-mecánica de vehículos automotores y a la revisión del control de emisiones.

30. Ciclista: persona que conduce una bicicleta o su pasajero.

31. Ciclovía: vía o sección de la calzada destinada exclusivamente al tránsito de bicicletas, triciclos no motorizados y peatones (estos últimos únicamente cuando no existan aceras), cuyo ancho se establecerá reglamentariamente.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el inciso a) del artículo 17 de la Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, N° 9660 del 24 de febrero del 2019) 32. Conductor: persona que tiene el control operativo de un vehículo y es responsable directo de este y de las infracciones que cometa.

33. Conductor novato: toda persona que adquiera por primera vez su licencia de conducir y que no sobrepase los tres años de haberla obtenido. Se excluye a los conductores profesionales.

34. Conductor profesional: toda persona cuya actividad laboral principal sea la conducción de vehículos a motor dedicados al transporte de mercancías o de personas y que haya sido acreditada con una licencia tipo B-3, B-4, C, D o E. También será conductor profesional aquel que haya sido acreditado con su licencia tipo A-2, A-3, B-1 o B-2, y que haya solicitado, al momento de su expedición, el agregado P (profesional).

35. Contaminantes ambientales: gases, partículas o ruidos producidos por un vehículo automotor.

36. CTP: Consejo de Transporte Público.

37. Cosevi: Consejo de Seguridad Vial.

38. Cuña: pieza de metal, de madera o de cualquier otro material idóneo que se utilice para calzar los vehículos y así asegurar su inmovilidad.

39. Curva horizontal: curva circular que une los tramos rectos de una carretera en el plano horizontal.

40. Curva vertical: curva parabólica que une las líneas rectas que representan el perfil de las pendientes.

41. Croquis: documento descriptivo de los pormenores de un accidente de tránsito levantado en el sitio de los hechos por la autoridad de tránsito competente.

42. Decibelio o decibel: unidad de medida utilizada para determinar la intensidad de un sonido.

43. Derecho de vía: derecho que recae sobre una franja de terreno de naturaleza demanial y que se destina a la construcción de obras viales para la circulación de vehículos o el tránsito de personas o de otras obras relacionadas con la seguridad, el ornato, la nomenclatura vial, el anuncio informativo de servicios, las actividades y los destinos turísticos, así como para la instalación de paradas de vehículos de transporte público o parabuses.

44. Derecho de circulación: derecho que se obtiene luego de pagar los rubros fijados por ley para la circulación de vehículos, durante un período determinado.

45. Dirección electrónica vial (DEV): dirección electrónica suministrada al Cosevi por todo conductor o propietario de un vehículo, o aquella que le ha sido asignada, en la que se le notificará las actuaciones relacionadas con la aplicación de esta ley.

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 8481 del 11 de junio de 2014, se anuló la palabra "obligatoriamente" del inciso anterior)

46. Dispositivo oficial de control de tránsito: señal o aviso que deben acatar quienes transitan por las vías públicas, conforme a las disposiciones legales.

47. Equipo especial: equipo autopropulsado destinado a realizar tareas agrícolas, de obra civil y de atención de emergencias forestales o aeroportuarias.

48. Espaldón u hombro: área adyacente a ambos lados de la calzada cuya finalidad es dar soporte lateral al pavimento, servir para el tránsito de peatones y proporcionar espacio para las emergencias del tránsito y el estacionamiento eventual de vehículos.

49. Estacionamiento, parqueo o aparcamiento: lugar público o privado destinado al estacionamiento temporal de los vehículos.

50. Estacionómetro o parquímetro: aparato mediante el cual se registra y cobra la tarifa que permite el estacionamiento temporal de un vehículo en la vía pública destinada a ese fin.

51. Estacionar, aparcar o parquear: situar un vehículo en un lugar determinado y mantenerlo sin adelanto ni retroceso.

52. Factor lambda (λ): proporción que existe entre la relación aire/combustible con la que está trabajando el motor y la relación aire/combustible teórica con la que debería trabajar para que la combustión fuera completa.

53. Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM): área definida como tal mediante el decreto ejecutivo correspondiente.

54. Grúa: vehículo automotor especialmente adaptado o diseñado para el traslado y remolque de vehículos de un lado a otro, sea por arrastre o por elevación.

55. Infractor: persona que incumple las disposiciones de la presente ley.

56. Inmovilización de un vehículo: acto que impide la libre circulación de un vehículo mediante el retiro de este o de sus placas.

57. Inspección técnica vehicular (IVE): prueba mediante la cual se verifican las condiciones técnico-mecánicas y el control de emisiones de los vehículos automotores.

58. Instrumentos de medición: equipos especialmente diseñados para determinar o comprobar el margen de aceptabilidad y seguridad del objeto por medir.

59. Intersección: punto de una vía pública en el que convergen dos o más vías y en donde los vehículos pueden virar o mantener la dirección de su trayectoria.

60. Letrero: cualquier sustrato, material y/o elemento en que hay inscripciones o figuras que se exhiben con fines de comunicación y de interés común o general.

61. Licencia de conducir: permiso otorgado por el Estado mediante el que se faculta a una persona a conducir un vehículo durante un período determinado.

62. Línea: servicio de transporte público que se presta en determinada ruta.

63. Línea de barrera: línea que divide la calzada en su centro, sea esta una línea continua blanca, línea amarilla o doble línea amarilla, la cual indica que es prohibido circular, adelantar o bien hacer giros en "U" o maniobras hacia la izquierda de esa línea.

64. Línea amarilla: señalamiento horizontal pintado con color amarillo sobre el pavimento, que se usa para separar corrientes de tránsito de sentido contrario, en líneas de borde izquierdo separados por medianeras y en algunas islas canalizadoras. Puede ser una línea fragmentada o continua. Cuando se demarca en el borde del caño, en calles locales, indica la prohibición de estacionamiento en ese tramo de la vía. En caso de ambigüedad en el señalamiento, prevalece lo que indique el señalamiento vertical fijo, de acuerdo con lo señalado por el Acuerdo Centroamericano sobre Señales Viales Uniformes.

65. Línea blanca: señalamiento horizontal pintado con color blanco sobre el pavimento, que se usa para separar corrientes de tránsito en un mismo sentido, en líneas de borde en carreteras de doble sentido, en líneas de borde derecho en carreteras separadas por medianera y en algunas islas canalizadoras. Puede ser una línea fragmentada o continua, todo ello en consonancia con lo señalado por el Acuerdo Centroamericano sobre Señales Viales Uniformes.

66. Luces de freno: las que emiten los dispositivos proyectores de luz roja, cuando se oprime el pedal del freno.

67. Luces direccionales: las que emite un dispositivo proyector de luz roja o naranja, situado tanto en la parte delantera como en la trasera del vehículo, de forma intermitente y que indican la dirección que se va a tomar.

68. Luces para neblina: las destinadas a aumentar la iluminación de la vía en caso de neblina, lluvia fuerte, nubes de polvo u otras condiciones ambientales adversas.

69. Luz alta: la que emiten hacia adelante los faros principales de un vehículo para obtener un largo alcance en la iluminación de la vía.

70. Luz baja: la que emiten hacia adelante los faros principales de un vehículo para iluminar la vía a corta distancia, sin ocasionar deslumbramiento o molestias a los demás conductores u otros usuarios de la vía, que vengan en el sentido contrario.

71. Microbús: vehículo automotor destinado al transporte de personas, cuya capacidad para pasajeros sentados oscila entre nueve y veinticinco personas.

72. Motocicleta: vehículo automotor de dos o más ruedas, con motor térmico de cilindrada superior a 50 cc o con una potencia superior a los 5 kW, cuyo sistema de dirección es accionado por manillar.

73. Multa fija: sanción administrativa por infracción a esta ley, expresada en el pago de la suma que se establece en cada caso.

74. Naturaleza constructiva: adecuación a normativas internacionales en el diseño, la producción y la comercialización de los vehículos por parte de las casas fabricantes. En ningún caso podrá contrariar los requisitos técnicos y de seguridad de la presente ley.

75. Oficial de tránsito: funcionario nombrado de conformidad con la ley, investido de autoridad por la Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito.

76. Opacidad: estado en el cual un material impide, parcialmente o en su totalidad, el paso de los rayos de la luz, con lo que ocasionan la falta de visibilidad del observador.

77. Placa de matrícula: documento público expedido por el Registro Nacional, que identifica externamente un vehículo.

78. Parabrisas: vidrio transparente frontal de un vehículo automotor.

79. Parte oficial: documento mediante el cual la autoridad competente informa sobre un accidente de tránsito.

80. Pasajero: toda persona distinta del conductor que ocupa un lugar dentro de un vehículo.

81. Peaje: importe que se cobra al usuario por transitar con un vehículo en un tramo determinado de una vía pública.

82. Paisaje natural: entorno no modificado o escasamente modificado por el ser humano y caracterizado por contar con diferentes ecosistemas y estar desprovisto de construcciones o edificaciones de cualquier clase, que no sean el resultado de la interacción entre diversos agentes geográficos tales como la litosfera, la atmósfera, la biosfera y la hidrosfera.

83. Paisaje urbano: entorno resultante del crecimiento poblacional y la formación de grandes urbes, caracterizado por la configuración determinada por sus edificaciones, principalmente los centros comerciales y edificios de servicios, su desarrollo habitacional, los vehículos en tránsito, los avisos, los rótulos, los anuncios, el alumbrado público y otros elementos distintivos.

84. Paisaje interurbano: entorno que evidencia un desarrollo humano, tanto en materia constructiva como habitacional y de oferta de servicios y actividades comerciales creciente, pero sin presentar todas las características de un paisaje urbano.

85. Paisaje rural: entorno no urbanizado o de bajísima urbanización destinado a actividades agropecuarias, agroindustriales, extractivas, silvicultura u otras actividades agrarias.

86. Peatón: toda persona que transite a pie.

87. Pérdida total: daño estructural o de los sistemas de un vehículo automotor, que impide su circulación por razones de seguridad jurídica o vial.

88. Permiso temporal de aprendizaje: documento que se expide, en forma temporal, para aprender a conducir vehículos automotores y que queda supeditado al acatamiento de las disposiciones.

89. Peso bruto: peso total del vehículo que resulta al sumar su peso vacío de acuerdo con las especificaciones de fábrica, más el peso de la carga útil que puede transportar según las mismas especificaciones.

90. Peso máximo autorizado (PMA): peso máximo autorizado para un vehículo determinado, según su diseño y de conformidad con lo que establezca el reglamento respectivo.

91. "Pick up": vehículo carga liviana con motor delantero frontal y que en la parte trasera cuenta con un cajón o batea de metal o de otro material, abierto, usado especialmente para el transporte de carga.

92. Plaqueta de pesos y dimensiones: placa que identifica a los remolques y semiremolques livianos de menos de 750 kilogramos. Tendrá las características y la información que se determine reglamentariamente.

93. Polarizado tipo espejo: material o sustancia que, visto desde el exterior, provoca el efecto de reflejar la imagen y no permitir la visibilidad hacia el interior del vehículo.

94. Polarizado tipo limusina: material o sustancia que, visto desde el exterior, presenta una opacidad absoluta y no permite la visibilidad hacia el interior del vehículo.

95. Reacreditación: proceso mediante el cual a un conductor, cuya licencia haya perdido vigencia por la aplicación de puntos, se le concede una nueva licencia.

96. Red vial cantonal: conjunto de caminos vecinales, calles locales y caminos no clasificados que no forman parte de la red vial nacional, según disposición del MOPT. Su administración y mantenimiento corresponde a las municipalidades.

97. Red vial nacional: conjunto de carreteras primarias, secundarias y terciarias cuya constitución, mantenimiento y administración corresponden al MOPT.

98. Reinspección técnica vehicular: prueba mediante la cual se verifican las condiciones técnico-mecánicas y el control de emisiones de los vehículos automotores que no aprobaron la IVE.

99. Remolque liviano: vehículo sin tracción propia, cuyo PMA no sobrepasa los 750 kg.

100. Remolque o semirremolque pesado: vehículo sin tracción propia, cuyo PMA sobrepasa los 750 kg.

101. Rodamiento: circulación o desplazamiento de los vehículos por las vías públicas.

102. Rótulo: escritura, impreso, pintura, emblema, dibujo u otro medio informativo, ubicado en la propiedad privada, cuyo propósito sea la publicidad comercial o llamar la atención sobre un producto, artículo, marca de fábrica, actividad comercial, negocio, servicio, actividad recreativa, profesión u ocupación domiciliaria, que se ofrezca, venda o se lleve a cabo en el mismo sitio en que está ubicado dicho elemento.

103. Ruta: trayecto que recorren, entre dos puntos llamados terminales, los vehículos de transporte público de personas que han sido autorizados por el Consejo de Transporte Público, únicamente en las modalidades de buseta y autobús.

104. Seguridad activa: conjunto de mecanismos o dispositivos destinado a evitar que el vehículo sufra un accidente o a disminuir el riesgo de que este ocurra.

105. Seguridad pasiva: conjunto de accesorios, mecanismos o dispositivos que, ante la eventualidad de un accidente, está destinado a proteger la integridad física de los ocupantes del vehículo o a minimizar las posibles lesiones que estos podrían sufrir.

106. Semáforo: dispositivo que mediante varias unidades ópticas asigna, de forma alternativa, el derecho de paso a cada movimiento o grupo de movimientos que confluyen en una intersección. Puede ser accionado manual o automáticamente.

107. Semirremolque: vehículo sin tracción propia construido para ser acoplado a un tractocamión mediante una articulación como vínculo de acople, de tal manera que una parte sustancial de su peso y de su carga repose parcialmente sobre este. La carga puede o no estar integrada al semirremolque.

108. Señal horizontal: marca de pintura de color amarillo o blanco que se graba sobre la superficie de rodamiento para regular la circulación de los vehículos.

109. Señal vertical: dispositivo de tránsito que se adhiere al suelo y que es colocado de forma vertical para informar, regular o prevenir a los usuarios.

110. Servicio especial: el que se presta de forma temporal dentro de la busetas y microbuses, sin tener itinerario fijo y el cual se contrata por viaje, por tiempo o en ambas formas, no se realiza en una línea establecida y debe contar con autorización previa del Consejo de Transporte Público.

111. Servicio especial estable de taxi: servicio público de transporte remunerado de personas dirigido a un grupo cerrado de usuarios y que satisface una demanda limitada, residual, exclusiva y estable.

112. Sistema de retención infantil: implementos o dispositivos que cumplen la función de proteger la seguridad de los menores de edad, en cualquier tipo de viaje que se realice e independientemente de la distancia que se recorra.

113. Sistema de tránsito: conjunto de carreteras de uso público o privadas, calles, zonas de paso peatonal y demás ámbitos en que se desplazan los vehículos y los peatones, de acuerdo con el artículo 1 de esta ley.

114. Testigo de llanta: elevación dentro de los canales de agua de una llanta mediante el cual se visualiza el desgaste de esta.

115. Taxi: vehículo automotor destinado al transporte remunerado de personas, cuyo régimen está regulado por la Ley N.º 7969, Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad de Taxi, de 22 de diciembre de 1999, y sus reformas.

116. Taxímetro: instrumento mecánico, electrónico o mixto, que se utiliza en los taxis para determinar el precio del servicio prestado e indicar, en un lugar visible y sellado, la suma que debe pagar el usuario conforme a una tarifa base preestablecida.

117. Transitar: traslado, circulación o desplazamiento de personas, vehículos, mercancías, carga o semovientes sobre las vías públicas.

118. Transporte de carga limitada o taxi carga: servicio de transporte público de carga realizado por medio de vehículos de carga autorizados, al cual le es aplicable una tarifa establecida según la ley.

119. Transporte público de grúa o taxi grúa: servicio de transporte público de grúa realizado por medio de vehículos grúa, al cual le es aplicable una tarifa establecida según la ley.

120. Transporte público de personas: servicio de traslado público de pasajeros realizado por medio de autobuses, busetas, microbuses, taxis u otros vehículos autorizados, al cual le es aplicable una tarifa o precio establecida según lo determine el ordenamiento jurídico.

121. UTV: vehículo utilitario todo terreno tipo "side by side" de cuatro o más ruedas, conocidos como mulas, con sistema de frenado, aceleración y manivela.

122. Vehículo: medio de transporte usado para trasladar personas o bienes por la vía pública.

123. Vehículo abandonado: vehículo dejado en la vía pública por un período de más de veinticuatro horas.

124. Vehículo articulado: vehículo compuesto por un cabezal y uno o dos semirremolques que son arrastrados por el primero, unidos mediante una articulación que, además de vincularlos, permite la transmisión de carga.

125. Vehículo automotor: vehículo de transporte terrestre de propulsión propia sobre dos o más ruedas y que no transita sobre rieles. Se exceptúa de esta definición el equipo especial.

126. Vehículo de carga liviana: vehículo automotor diseñado y utilizado para el transporte de carga, cuyo peso máximo autorizado sea inferior a ocho toneladas.

127. Vehículo de carga pesada: vehículo automotor diseñado y utilizado para el transporte de carga, cuyo peso máximo autorizado sea de al menos ocho toneladas.

128. Vehículo de tránsito lento: el que, en un lugar y tiempo dados, avanza a una velocidad inferior a la normal de la restante corriente de tránsito. Cuando la corriente de tránsito se ubique en pendientes ascendientes, se considerarán de tránsito lento todos los vehículos que circulen a velocidad de arrastre.

129. Vehículos de emergencia autorizados: vehículos para combatir incendios, policiales, ambulancias y otros que cumplan las condiciones reglamentarias correspondientes.

130. Velocidad de arrastre: velocidad constante a la que avanzan los vehículos automotores sobre una pendiente ascendiente, una vez que han agotado su capacidad de aceleración.

131. Vehículo rústico: vehículo automotor construido especialmente para transitar en zonas rurales, por caminos no clasificados o de difícil acceso, para lo cual posee tracción delantera y trasera, y un peso bruto mínimo de quinientos kilogramos.

132. Vía: calle, camino o carretera por donde transitan los vehículos.

133. Vía exclusiva: vía destinada solo para el tránsito de vehículos dedicados a una actividad determinada.

134. Vía pública: toda vía por la que haya libre circulación.

135. Virar: cambiar la dirección del vehículo en su trayectoria.

136. Visera: franja superior que se coloca en el parabrisas de un vehículo en que presenta un oscurecimiento mayor al del resto de este.

137. Zona de paso: zona de una vía pública demarcada para el cruce de peatones.

138. Zona de seguridad: zona de paso regulada por semáforos que, de forma alterna, permite el paso de peatones y vehículos.

139. Zona de carga y descarga: espacio de una vía pública destinado exclusivamente a la carga y la descarga de mercancías de vehículos de motor, remolques y semirremolques.

(Así adicionado el inciso anterior por el artículo 2° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante el artículo 1° de la ley N° 10834 del 15 de diciembre de 2025, se adicionarán las siguientes definiciones de este numeral. De conformidad con el artículo 2° de la ley antes referida la misma empezará a regir doce meses posteriores a la publicación en el diario oficial La Gaceta, es decir el 20 de diciembre de 2026, por lo que a partir de esa fecha las definiciones se leerán de la siguiente manera:

Movilidad: acción de trasladarse de un lugar a otro.

Movilidad activa: uso de cualquier medio de transporte no motorizado para desplazarse de un lugar a otro, adicionales a la movilidad peatonal, tales como patinetas, bicicletas, sillas de ruedas, patines, entre otros.

Seguridad vial: disciplina que estudia y aplica las acciones y los mecanismos tendientes al buen funcionamiento de la circulación en la vía pública, previniendo los accidentes de tránsito.

") (Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante el artículo 1° de la Ley para mejorar la eficacia de la legislación en materia de control de alcohol y drogas en la conducción, N° 10860 del 27 de febrero de 2026, se adicionarán a este numeral dos nuevas definiciones. De conformidad con el Transitorio III de la ley antes mencionada la misma empezará a regir doce meses después de su publicación, es decir el 28 de marzo de 2027, por lo que a partir de esa fecha las nuevas definiciones serán las siguientes:

47. Drogas ilícitas: cualquier sustancia psicoactiva ilícita, que introducida al organismo, por cualquier vía de administración, actúa y afecta el sistema nervioso, generando alteraciones en los procesos mentales y en las funciones que regulan pensamientos, emociones, comportamientos, conciencia, humor, reflejos, capacidad y tiempos de reacción, procesamiento de información, coordinación perceptivo-motriz y atención, de las que se excluyen aquellas sustancias que se utilicen bajo prescripción médica.

( ... )

72. Metabolito psicoactivo: cualquier sustancia o molécula resultante del proceso de metabolización de sustancias psicoactivas en el cuerpo humano que conserve sus efectos psicoactivos como un producto intermedio o final, y que tenga psicoactividad. Para los propósitos de esta ley, se excluyen los metabolitos de sustancias psicoactivas usadas bajo prescripción médica.

( ... ).

")

La ejecución de esta ley le corresponde al MOPT por medio de sus órganos, sin perjuicio de las competencias que esta ley asigne a otras entidades u órganos. Asimismo, el MOPT podrá suscribir, con otras autoridades, convenios de cooperación y alianzas estratégicas para el cumplimiento de sus objetivos institucionales; para ello, podrá transferir los recursos que posibiliten su ejecución en estricto apego a la ley.

Para circular legalmente por las vías públicas terrestres, los vehículos deben portar los siguientes requisitos documentales, los cuales podrán ser exigidos por las autoridades de tránsito en cualquier momento:

• a)El título de propiedad o certificado de propiedad o documento idóneo debidamente autenticado, que acredite la inscripción en el Registro Nacional. Se exceptúan, de este requisito, los vehículos no inscribibles de acuerdo con la normativa especial de la materia registral, los vehículos inscritos en el extranjero que ingresen de forma temporal al país, sujetos al cumplimiento de los requisitos establecidos en esta ley, y los que se establezcan reglamentariamente.
• b)Comprobante de derecho de circulación y de IVE. Además, deberán exhibir en el parabrisas delantero o en otro lugar visible, de acuerdo con la naturaleza constructiva del vehículo, la calcomanía o el comprobante de la IVE, el marchamo de circulación y el dispositivo de identificación del Registro Nacional.
• c)El certificado o documento que acredite la vigencia del seguro obligatorio automotor.
• d)La placa o las placas de matrícula. El MOPT fijará reglamentariamente la cantidad de placas que deberá llevar cada tipo de vehículo y el sitio visible en donde deberán ser colocadas.

Se exceptúan de esta norma los remolques de menos de 750 kilogramos de peso máximo autorizado (PMA).

• e)Cualquier permiso especial de circulación que se requiera, de conformidad con lo que dispone esta ley.

Se prohíbe la importación para la inscripción de vehículos que:

• a)Hayan sido declarados pérdida total.
• b)Presenten uniones estructurales del chasis no autorizadas.
• c)Hayan sido manipulados en su número de identificación, VIN o chasis.
• d)Hayan sido sacados de circulación en su país de exportación.
• e)Incumplan el requisito general para la circulación, establecido en el inciso d) del artículo 32, relativo a la ubicación del volante de conducción.

El importador de vehículos de primer ingreso, inscritos en el país de su procedencia, deberá aportar en el proceso de nacionalización el título de propiedad y una declaración jurada protocolizada indicando que el vehículo no se encuentra bajo ninguno de los supuestos indicados en los incisos anteriores y la cantidad de kilómetros o millas recorridas por este.

El Poder Ejecutivo, mediante su órgano competente, implementará las medidas necesarias para verificar el cumplimiento de esta disposición, antes de la nacionalización correspondiente.

Se prohíbe la reinscripción de los vehículos automotores declarados pérdida total y la reutilización del número de VIN o chasis.

El importador de vehículos que infrinja las disposiciones de este artículo estará sujeto a una multa equivalente a cinco veces la multa estipulada en la categoría A.

DE LOS VEHÍCULOS

El Registro Nacional es el órgano estatal encargado de inscribir los derechos de los propietarios de los vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques pesados, así como los de terceros que eventualmente resulten con derechos sobre esos bienes. La información que conste en la base de datos de dicho Registro se considerará como la oficial del Estado.

La propiedad de los vehículos se comprueba mediante su inscripción en el Registro Nacional. El Registro otorgará al propietario el correspondiente título de propiedad, las placas de matrícula y el dispositivo de identificación, en el momento de su inscripción o su reposición.

Si fuera necesario realizar gestiones para la devolución de las placas o los vehículos detenidos, ya sea ante el Cosevi o las autoridades judiciales, los trámites deberán ser realizados por el propietario registral o su mandatario.

Son títulos sujetos de inscripción en el Registro Nacional los siguientes:

• a)La escritura pública del traspaso del vehículo. Para el traspaso de vehículos de tracción animal o humana y de remolques o semirremolques livianos bastará la autenticación notarial de las firmas de los contratantes y no se exigirá su inscripción.
• b)Las ejecutorias y las adjudicaciones judiciales.
• c)Los documentos otorgados ante un notario público con oficina abierta en el país y de paso en el extranjero, o ante el cónsul costarricense. En este último caso, deberán cumplirse todos los requisitos legales que se exigen para su validez y eficacia en Costa Rica.
• d)En el caso de los vehículos importados no inscritos, los documentos que acrediten la propiedad en el país de origen y los de desalmacenaje expedidos por autoridades aduaneras nacionales.

Los traspasos de los vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques deben otorgarse en escritura pública, indicando los requisitos formales establecidos en el artículo 10 de esta ley y el monto de la transacción.

Este documento debe presentarse para su inscripción al Registro Nacional, dentro de los treinta días hábiles siguientes a su otorgamiento, previo pago de los impuestos y derechos correspondientes; de lo contrario, se aplicará lo estipulado en el artículo 15 de esta ley.

El título de propiedad de los vehículos deberá indicar lo siguiente:

• a)El nombre y número de identificación del propietario.
• b)La marca, el año modelo, la carrocería, el número de motor, el número de matrícula, la capacidad, el número de serie, el número de VIN, el chasis o la serie del vehículo.

Toda inscripción que se haga en el Registro Nacional expresará:

• a)La hora y fecha de presentación del documento que causa la inscripción.
• b)La autoridad que expide el documento o el notario público que, en su caso, lo autoriza.
• c)Los nombres, los números de cédula o de identificación, las calidades y el domicilio exacto de las partes en el territorio nacional, el precio y las características básicas del vehículo, según las definiciones de esta ley.

La inscripción no convalida los actos o los contratos inscritos que sean nulos o anulables conforme a la ley. Sin embargo, la eventual anulación de dicha inscripción no afectará los derechos de terceros de buena fe que actúen con vista del Registro Nacional ni la validez de los contratos o actos dictados con base en la fe pública registral.

En caso de cambios legalmente autorizados de las características del vehículo, su propietario deberá presentarlo ante el prestatario de la IVE en un plazo no mayor a treinta días hábiles, contado a partir del momento en que ocurran dichos cambios, con el fin de que se cotejen las modificaciones y se expida la documentación respectiva. Cuando se trate de cambio de motor, el propietario deberá acreditar el título mediante el cual se adquirió.

No podrán modificarse las siguientes características:

• a)El año modelo.
• b)El número de serie, el número de chasis y/o de VIN.
• c)La marca, el estilo y el modelo.
• d)El peso máximo autorizado por el fabricante.

Una vez obtenido el informe de cambio de características de la IVE, se deberá solicitar, en un plazo no mayor a los veinte días hábiles, la inscripción del cambio efectuado en el vehículo, al Registro Nacional. En el caso de vehículos dedicados al transporte público remunerado de personas, en su modalidad de ruta regular, no se requerirá la realización del informe de cambio de características ni su posterior inscripción para cambios de motor.

Mediante mandamiento expedido por la autoridad judicial competente podrán hacerse las siguientes anotaciones al margen del respectivo asiento de inscripción del Registro Nacional:

• a)La demanda sobre la constitución, modificación o extinción de los derechos reales sobre los vehículos inscritos.
• b)La demanda sobre la cancelación, rectificación de inscripción o anotación en el Registro.
• c)El decreto de embargo sobre vehículos inscritos. Esta anotación caducará de pleno derecho a los cuatro años y el Registro hará caso omiso de ella al inscribir títulos nuevos o certificar el asiento respectivo. La interrupción de este plazo se regirá por lo que dispone el cuarto párrafo del artículo 471 del Código Civil.
• d)El gravamen legal decretado con motivo de un accidente de tránsito o de delitos relacionados con accidentes de tránsito.
• e)La denuncia formal por robo de un vehículo automotor.

Las autoridades judiciales podrán solicitar la cooperación de la Policía de Tránsito o de la Fuerza Pública para practicar el embargo respectivo o la detención del vehículo. Cuando el vehículo sea detenido, las autoridades lo comunicarán de inmediato a la autoridad judicial y esta a las partes, con el fin de que se practique el embargo dentro de los quince días siguientes a la fecha en que se haya recibido la comunicación. De no trabarse el embargo en este plazo, el vehículo se pondrá a disposición de su propietario, pero podrá solicitarse nuevamente la detención para su embargo.

El Registro Nacional, a instancia de parte interesada y mediante resolución administrativa, ordenará la anotación respectiva, cuando el comprador no haya presentado, para su inscripción, la escritura pública de traspaso dentro del plazo establecido en el artículo 9 de esta ley. La solicitud de la parte interesada deberá ir acompañada de una copia certificada de la escritura de traspaso.

No se inscribirá ningún traspaso ni los documentos podrán ser retirados sin inscribir, hasta tanto no sea cancelado el gravamen.

Los gravámenes prendarios sobre los vehículos se inscribirán y se anotarán al margen del asiento de inscripción del vehículo en el Registro Nacional. Para este efecto, se aplicarán las disposiciones de la Ley N.º 3284, Código de Comercio, de 30 de abril de 1964, y sus reformas.

El Registro Nacional llevará un índice por el número de placas y otro índice por los nombres de los propietarios.

Efectuada la cancelación del asiento de inscripción se eliminará la inscripción correspondiente de los índices activos, pero se mantendrá una referencia en un índice de inscripciones canceladas.

Los derechos de inscripción a favor del Registro Nacional, así como el pago de toda tasa o impuesto relativos a la inscripción, el traspaso, la cancelación o la modificación de las características de los vehículos, deberán ser cancelados mediante entero bancario, a excepción del timbre fiscal cancelado para la adjudicación de vehículos en un juicio sucesorio y así conste en la respectiva escritura pública bajo fe notarial.

Los tributos serán calculados con base en el valor fiscal de cada vehículo, según determine mediante acuerdo de carácter general el Ministerio de Hacienda cada año, salvo que el valor contractual sea superior, en cuyo caso el impuesto se determinará con base en ese valor.

Esos tributos deberán ser cancelados en su totalidad para la admisión de su presentación en el Registro Nacional.

El propietario del vehículo deberá pagar todos los derechos de circulación atrasados, según las disposiciones del artículo 196 de esta ley. Esta obligación no procederá cuando las placas respectivas hayan sido depositadas en el Registro Nacional, junto con una explicación que indique las razones por las que se depositan y el sitio donde el vehículo permanecerá inmovilizado. Igualmente, no procederá esta obligación cuando conste registralmente el robo del vehículo automotor.

Las placas tendrán una identificación diferente para cada vehículo y podrán tener una combinación de números y letras. El Registro Nacional regulará lo concerniente a las condiciones de mantenimiento y autenticidad que deberán tener las placas; asimismo, podrá diseñar y ordenar el cambio de todas las placas que circulen en el país, siempre que medie una justificación técnica que así lo amerite.

Las gestiones para la devolución de las placas o los vehículos detenidos, ya sea ante el Cosevi o las autoridades judiciales, serán realizadas por el propietario registral o su mandatario.

Se prohíbe a los propietarios de vehículos transferir, facilitar o prestar la placa o las placas del vehículo para que las utilice otro vehículo o darles un uso no autorizado. Cuando se trate de un vehículo de transporte público, la violación de esta prohibición será causal para la cancelación de la concesión.

Se autoriza el uso de placas de matrícula especial, de conformidad con la reglamentación respectiva. El Registro Nacional les asignará una clase y categoría diferenciada de inscripción, únicamente en los siguientes casos:

• a)Vehículos oficiales de los supremos poderes, de las instituciones autónomas, semiautónomas y de los gobiernos locales.
• b)Vehículos de las representaciones diplomáticas, consulares y de misiones internacionales acreditadas en el país.
• c)Vehículos que gocen de algún régimen especial de circulación.

La Benemérita Cruz Roja Costarricense y el Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica quedan autorizados para que doten a sus integrantes de placas distintivas con el nombre de la institución, el emblema y el número consecutivo de dicha placa, que permitan la identificación de sus vehículos en el ejercicio de su labor. La responsabilidad por el uso y control de dichas placas recaerá sobre los encargados de transporte de cada una de esas instituciones. El uso de estas placas no exime la obligación de portar las placas reglamentarias del vehículo.

Los vehículos que ingresan a territorio nacional bajo el régimen de importación temporal se regirán por lo que al efecto establecen esta ley y la Ley N.º 7557, Ley General de Aduanas, de 20 de octubre de 1995, y sus reformas, sin perjuicio de los convenios o tratados internacionales aplicables.

Las autoridades competentes verificarán que al momento de ingreso y salida del territorio nacional, tales vehículos no presenten sumas adeudadas por concepto de multas en firme, impuestas por infracciones a esta ley. El Cosevi coordinará con las autoridades correspondientes el envío de la información en forma oportuna, a fin de no hacer nugatorio el pago de las referidas multas.

En tanto no se cancelen las sumas adeudadas por concepto de multas en firme, impuestas por infracciones a esta ley, los vehículos indicados en el párrafo primero de este artículo no podrán ingresar o salir del territorio nacional, según lo dispuesto en el artículo 193 de la presente ley.

La IVE comprende la verificación mecánica, eléctrica y electrónica en los sistemas del vehículo, de sus emisiones contaminantes y lo concerniente a los dispositivos de seguridad activa y pasiva, según lo establecido en la presente ley y su manual de procedimientos.

Solo se autorizará la circulación de los vehículos que cumplan las condiciones citadas, así como los demás requisitos que determinen esta ley y su reglamento. El resultado satisfactorio de las pruebas realizadas por los CIVE se acreditará con la confección y entrega de la tarjeta de IVE, así como la calcomanía adhesiva de aprobación, documentos cuyas características serán establecidas por el Cosevi.

Sin perjuicio de lo anterior, en cualquier momento y en cualquier vía pública las autoridades de tránsito podrán verificar, mediante procedimiento técnico y con el equipo necesario, el cumplimiento de las disposiciones de esta sección.

En el caso de equipo especial, de acuerdo con la calificación que establezca el MOPT, únicamente estarán obligados a la verificación de las características del fabricante para efectos de su inscripción inicial. Lo anterior sin perjuicio de los controles aleatorios que puedan establecerse con posterioridad.

Los vehículos de colección, los históricos o los diseñados para competencia deportiva podrán circular de acuerdo con las disposiciones reglamentarias respectivas, las cuales seguirán las mejores prácticas internacionales.

En la actividad de inspección vehicular no se permitirá la manipulación ni el desprendimiento de ninguna pieza o componente de los vehículos; tampoco, ningún tipo de reparación o modificación, con el fin de asegurar la total independencia y objetividad del servicio.

Corresponderá al MOPT, por medio del Cosevi, otorgar las adjudicaciones a los centros que realizarán la IVE, previo cumplimiento de los requisitos establecidos en el artículo 27 de esta ley.

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 030616 del 16 de octubre de 2024, se anuló del párrafo anterior el vocablo "autorizadas")

Las empresas adjudicadas no podrán tener relación directa o indirecta con actividades tales como:

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 030616 del 16 de octubre de 2024, se anuló del párrafo anterior el vocablo "autorizadas")

• a)Importación, distribución, comercialización o reparación de vehículos y de repuestos para vehículos.
• b)Transporte público, transporte de carga o similares.

Se entenderá que existe conflicto de interés, cuando los titulares del servicio o sus socios tengan participación, directa o indirecta (como socios, directivos, gerentes o administradores) en cualquiera de las actividades antes citadas.

Ningún funcionario del MOPT ni de sus órganos podrá ser propietario de un CIVE. Dicha prohibición se hace extensiva a su cónyuge y parientes por consanguinidad o afinidad hasta el tercer grado inclusive, todo sin perjuicio de lo establecido en la Ley N.º 8422, Ley contra la Corrupción y el Enriquecimiento Ilícito en la Función Pública, de 6 de octubre de 2004, y sus reformas.

Para la prestación de servicios, los CIVE deberán cumplir, como mínimo, los siguientes requisitos:

• a)Contar con un sistema de gestión de calidad que garantice el cumplimiento de estándares adecuados en la prestación del servicio y la competencia técnica de la empresa adjudicada para tal efecto.

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 030616 del 16 de octubre de 2024, se anuló del inciso anterior el vocablo "autorizada")

• b)Estar acreditado ante el Ente Costarricense de Acreditación (ECA) de acuerdo con la Ley N.º 8279, Sistema Nacional para la Calidad. Dicha acreditación deberá mantenerse durante la vigencia del convenio. En caso de que se le suspenda de forma permanente la acreditación al CIVE, el Cosevi procederá a revocar, de inmediato, la adjudicación autorización para realizar la IVE.
• c)Contar con personal técnicamente calificado para efectuar las pruebas y operar el equipo correspondiente.
• d)Contar con las instalaciones físicas adecuadas para alojar los equipos y mantenerlos en condición de operar, atendiendo las disposiciones establecidas en la Ley N.º 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, de 2 de mayo de 1996, sus modificaciones, su reglamento y su interpretación.
• e)Contar con seguros y pólizas de riesgo por daños personales o materiales, durante la prestación del servicio y para las instalaciones.
• f)Contar con los protocolos de mantenimiento de instalación y equipo, además de los protocolos de calibración del equipo, la contratación de personal técnico, de entrenamiento y formación continua y de auditorías internas y externas de calidad.
• g)Brindar, al Registro Nacional, la información que se requiera para la inscripción de vehículos y el registro de las modificaciones de sus características.

El incumplimiento de estos requisitos descalificará a la empresa solicitante o prestataria del servicio de la IVE, esto siguiendo el debido proceso conforme a los artículos 214 y 308 de la Ley N.º 6227, Ley General de la Administración Pública, de 2 de mayo de 1978, y sus reformas.

Corresponderá al MOPT, por medio del Cosevi, fiscalizar todas las empresas adjudicadas para realizar la IVE.

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 030616 del 16 de octubre de 2024, se anuló del párrafo anterior el vocablo "autorizadas")

Corresponderá a la Aresep realizar los estudios técnicos y determinar el modelo tarifario que se utilizará para fijar las bandas tarifarias que definan el monto mínimo y máximo que podrá cobrar un CIVE, por la inspección y la reinspección vehicular.

La tarifa incluirá un canon a favor del ente a cargo de la fiscalización del servicio y un canon a favor de Aresep por actividad regulada; en ambos casos, la aprobación de este corresponderá a la Contraloría General de la República.

Dicha tarifa deberá ser cancelada previo a la IVE.

La IVE se efectuará por lo menos con la siguiente periodicidad:

• a)Cada seis meses para los vehículos dedicados al servicio público de transporte remunerado de personas.
• b)Cada seis meses para los vehículos tipo cisterna que transporten materiales peligrosos y explosivos.
• c)Una vez al año para los vehículos de carga pesada, remolques pesados y semirremolque, salvo los mencionados en el inciso b).
• d)Una vez al año para los demás vehículos automotores, cuyo año modelo sea superior a cinco años, excepto los mencionados en los incisos a) y b) de este artículo.
• e)Una vez cada dos años para los vehículos automotores cuyo año modelo sea igual o inferior a cinco años, salvo los mencionados en los incisos a) y b) de este artículo.

Todos los vehículos autorizados a circular, conforme al artículo 1 de esta ley, deberán cumplir los requisitos referentes a los dispositivos de seguridad activa y pasiva, así como las medidas de seguridad y las demás disposiciones establecidas en esta sección, atendiendo la particular naturaleza constructiva. El MOPT dictará el reglamento respectivo, previo dictamen técnico del Cosevi.

Para cumplir el requisito, los implementos que se exijan para poder circular deberán funcionar adecuadamente. Se exceptúa del cumplimiento de estos requisitos el equipo especial.

El Poder Ejecutivo determinará, reglamentariamente, los requisitos para la circulación de la maquinaria de construcción y los requisitos para la circulación de los vehículos, con motor o sin él, que por la naturaleza constructiva del fabricante o por la innovación tecnológica no se encuentren contemplados dentro de esta sección.

Para poder circular, los vehículos automotores deberán cumplir los siguientes requisitos generales que les sean aplicables según su naturaleza constructiva:

• a)Tener un parabrisas delantero y un parabrisas trasero, siempre que la naturaleza constructiva del vehículo lo permita. Se permitirá el uso de visera, siempre que no abarque el área de cobertura de la escobilla o las escobillas.
• b)Estar provistos de una bocina que cumpla los límites sonoros establecidos reglamentariamente.
• c)Tener un indicador de velocidad en kilómetros por hora, sin perjuicio de utilizar simultáneamente alguna otra unidad de medida. El indicador deberá estar instalado a la vista del conductor.
• d)Tener un volante de conducción o dirección ubicado al lado izquierdo o al centro, de acuerdo con su naturaleza constructiva. No se admitirán conversiones de ubicación del volante.
• e)Contar con cinturones de seguridad de al menos tres puntos en todos los asientos laterales, salvo que su naturaleza constructiva no lo permita. En tal caso, deberán utilizar, como mínimo, cinturones del tipo subabdominal. En los restantes asientos, deberán poseer cinturones subabdominales. Se exceptúan de esta obligación los autobuses y las busetas de ruta regular para el servicio de transporte remunerado de personas y los vehículos tipo UTV, bicimoto y motocicleta, salvo que, en este último caso, se les adapte un dispositivo tipo sidecar, donde el pasajero deberá contar con el cinturón correspondiente.
• f)Contar con espejos retrovisores o cualesquiera otros dispositivos que le permitan al conductor observar el vehículo y la vía. El número de espejos, su ubicación y las demás especificaciones técnicas se establecerán vía reglamento, según las categorías de los vehículos y respetando su naturaleza constructiva.
• g)Estar provistos de los dispositivos proyectores de luz alta y baja, de freno, de reversa, de posición, direccionales, intermitentes de emergencia y de identificación de placa en perfecto estado en sus funciones. Sus colores, ubicaciones, número, proyección de luz, usos, condiciones de reglaje, intensidad lumínica y demás especificaciones técnicas se establecerán vía reglamento, según sus categorías y respetando la naturaleza constructiva del vehículo.
• h)A los vehículos de carga pesada, de equipo especial, de seguridad o de emergencia, públicos y privados, mediante permiso otorgado por el órgano competente del MOPT, se les podrán colocar luces especiales, de conformidad con lo que se establezca vía reglamento.
• i)Estar provistos de un dispositivo de parachoques delantero y otro trasero, acordes con la naturaleza constructiva y las especificaciones técnicas del vehículo, respetando las normativas internacionales que se dicten en la materia. Se exceptúan de este requisito los vehículos de carga que utilicen el dispositivo antiincrustamiento como mecanismo sustitutivo en su parte trasera, de acuerdo con las especificaciones reglamentarias.
• j)Tener un silenciador para el escape que cumpla los parámetros y los niveles de ruido establecidos en el reglamento.
• k)Estar equipado con frenos capaces de moderar y detener el movimiento del vehículo de un modo seguro, rápido y eficaz; así como con un freno de estacionamiento o de seguridad.

Los vehículos de motor, que utilicen un sistema de aire comprimido para el funcionamiento de sus propios frenos o de los frenos de cualquier vehículo remolque o semirremolque adherido a él, deberán estar provistos de una señal de advertencia visible y sonora, ubicada en el panel de instrumentos del habitáculo del conductor del vehículo.

• l)Contar con un sistema de control de emisiones contaminantes en perfecto funcionamiento, de conformidad con el artículo 38 de esta ley.
• m)Tener limpiadores o escobillas en el parabrisas delantero; la visibilidad deberá ser libre en el ciento por ciento (100%), respecto del área de cobertura de aquellos dispositivos.

Además de los requisitos contenidos en el artículo 32, los automóviles deberán cumplir los siguientes requisitos, que les sean aplicables según su naturaleza constructiva:

• a)Poseer apoyacabezas, siempre y cuando estos no afecten la visibilidad del conductor.
• b)Contar con un desempañador para los parabrisas delantero y trasero.
• c)Contar con llantas cuya profundidad de la ranura no alcance al testigo de la llanta.
• d)Contar al menos con sistema de bolsas de aire para la protección de los ocupantes de los asientos delanteros. Se exceptúan del cumplimiento de este requisito, los vehículos de servicio de transporte público, así como los vehículos automotores que por su naturaleza constructiva o diseño de fábrica no lo incorpore.

Además de los requisitos contenidos en el artículo 32, los vehículos de carga, remolques y semirremolques deberán cumplir los siguientes requisitos, que les sean aplicables según su naturaleza constructiva:

• a)En el caso de los remolques pesados y los semirremolques deberán utilizar cintas retrorreflectivas y luces de freno, según el reglamento respectivo.
• b)Contar con llantas cuya profundidad de la ranura no alcance al testigo de la llanta.
• c)Los remolques livianos cuyo PMA no supere los 750 kilogramos deberán portar la plaqueta de identificación emitida por el órgano competente del MOPT en el que se indique el PMA. Los requisitos y las características de esta plaqueta se determinarán vía reglamento.
• d)Los vehículos de carga pesada deben portar una cuña para inmovilizar el vehículo. Se exceptúan de este requisito los vehículos que posean sistema de entrampe.
• e)Portar el permiso de pesos y dimensiones vigente del órgano competente del MOPT.
• f)Los vehículos de carga pesada de más de 4.000 kilogramos de carga útil deberán contar con un dispositivo antiincrustamiento en la parte trasera, de acuerdo con la naturaleza constructiva del vehículo.
• g)Contar, en vehículos de carga liviana tipo "pick-up", al menos con un sistema de bolsas de aire para la protección de los ocupantes de los asientos delanteros. Se exceptúan del cumplimiento de este requisito los vehículos de servicio de transporte público, así como los vehículos automotores que por su naturaleza constructiva o diseño de fábrica no lo incorpore.

Además de los requisitos contenidos en el artículo 32, los vehículos de transporte público de personas deberán cumplir los siguientes requisitos, que les sean aplicables según su naturaleza constructiva:

• a)Contar con una salida de emergencia de fácil acceso, independiente de las puertas de entrada y salida del autobús, la que deberá estar situada en la parte trasera o en el lado opuesto a las puertas del vehículo. Tanto las puertas de entrada y de salida, como la salida de emergencia, tendrán sus respectivos accesorios, deberán ser plenamente funcionales y estar debidamente señalizadas y habilitadas para el uso. No podrán permanecer cerradas mediante llavines, cadenas o candados, cuando la unidad esté en servicio al público. Los autobuses, las microbuses y las busetas de servicios especiales, turismo, transporte interprovincial o internacional podrán contar con una sola puerta de entrada y las correspondientes salidas de emergencias que su diseño permita, respetando la naturaleza constructiva del fabricante.
• b)Portar de manera visible una tarjeta de capacidad emitida por el CTP, en la que se indique claramente el número de pasajeros que pueden viajar en él, así como la descripción y el número de ruta. Deberá constar en este documento o en otro adicional emitido por el CTP y que también debe exhibirse al público, la tarifa fijada por la Aresep.
• c)Los autobuses y las busetas en ruta regular deben contar con los respectivos dispositivos, instalados y en funcionamiento, para que el pasajero indique la señal de parada.
• d)En el caso de vehículos para transporte exclusivo de estudiantes, salvo los de transportes de estudiantes universitarios, deberán estar provistos de cinturones de seguridad para todos sus ocupantes. Asimismo, quien acompañe al chofer deberá vestir un chaleco retrorreflectivo.
• e)La salida del tubo de escape deberá estar ubicada según el reglamento respectivo.
• f)Llevar adheridas cintas de material retrorreflectivo, cuyos tipos y características se establecerán mediante reglamento, tomando en consideración los estándares internacionales y las particularidades propias de la flota vehicular nacional.
• g)Los vehículos de transporte público de personas en modalidad de taxi deben portar y utilizar un taxímetro, salvo las excepciones contempladas por ley. Ningún vehículo autorizado para prestar el servicio público con taxímetro podrá hacerlo cuando no lo tenga instalado, no funcione correctamente o tenga los sellos rotos o las etiquetas adhesivas con calibración vencida o adulterada. El taxímetro debe colocarse en un sitio visible para el usuario.
• h)En los vehículos de servicio público en ruta regular, las luces interiores permanecerán encendidas mientras presten servicio durante la noche o cuando sea técnicamente necesario, de conformidad con lo que al respecto establezca la reglamentación dictada por el CTP en atención al tipo de ruta que se trate.
• i)Portar una cuña para inmovilizar el vehículo, según se establezca vía reglamento. Se exceptúan de este requisito los vehículos que posean sistema de entrampe.
• j)Cumplir las disposiciones establecidas en la Ley N.º 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, de 2 de mayo de 1996, sus modificaciones, su reglamento y su interpretación.

Para circular en carretera, todo vehículo deberá estar provisto de los siguientes implementos en perfecto estado de funcionamiento, salvo que su naturaleza constructiva no lo permita:

• a)Al menos un extintor de incendios, según se disponga reglamentariamente dependiendo de la naturaleza y el tamaño del vehículo.

Al menos dos triángulos de seguridad u otro dispositivo análogo y al menos un chaleco u otro aditamento retrorreflectivo.

• b)Una llanta de refacción y el equipo necesario para poder cambiarla, salvo que por la naturaleza constructiva del fabricante el vehículo no lo requiera, o se trate de autobuses que presten servicio en rutas regulares. El MOPT podrá establecer excepciones para vehículos de transporte público, remolques, semirremolques y cabezales, que por su naturaleza constructiva no lo requieran.
• c)Los vehículos tipo bicimoto, motocicleta y UTV que estén provistos de cajón de reparto o similar y los vehículos de carga, remolques y semirremolques, livianos y pesados deberán utilizar cinta retrorreflectiva bicolor u otro dispositivo que cumpla la misma función, cuyos tipos, características, especificaciones técnicas y usos serán establecidos reglamentariamente. Para ello, se seguirán los estándares internacionales y las particularidades propias de la flota vehicular nacional, de manera que sean visibles a todos los demás ocupantes de la vía.
• d)Dispositivo de naturaleza similar establecido reglamentariamente por el MOPT, tras estudio técnico que demuestre su necesidad para garantizar la seguridad del conductor, los pasajeros o terceros.

Se prohíbe toda alteración o modificación no autorizada, alquiler de equipos u otras prácticas de naturaleza temporal, que tengan como propósito modificar los resultados de las pruebas de emisiones de gases vehiculares.

Todo vehículo automotor que circule en las vías públicas deberá sujetarse a los límites de emisiones contaminantes establecidos en esta ley y su reglamento.

El control del cumplimiento de los límites de emisiones contaminantes se realizará en las IVE periódicas establecidas en el artículo 30 de la presente ley y por las autoridades correspondientes en carretera.

Se autoriza al Poder Ejecutivo para que mediante reglamento determine:

• a)Los procedimientos de prueba, medición e inspección, los valores a utilizar y su duración.
• b)Los factores de altura.
• c)Las especificaciones técnicas de los sistemas de control de emisiones acordes con los diferentes tipos de vehículos, incluidos los vehículos de primer ingreso.
• d)El porcentaje de factor lambda que se utilizará como parámetro en la medición de contaminantes.
• e)En los vehículos con motor de encendido por ignición, los límites de monóxido de carbono, dióxido de carbono y partículas de hidrocarburos. Aquellos deberán tener al menos un sistema de control de emisiones que cuente con un convertidor catalítico, el sensor de oxígeno, un sistema de emisiones de combustible evaporado y un sistema de recirculación de gases de escape, salvo los vehículos tipo bicimoto, motocicleta y UTV.
• f)En los vehículos con motor de encendido por compresión, el grado de opacidad; estos deberán contar al menos con un sistema de recirculación de gases de escape y compensador de altura.
• g)Los procedimientos de control de emisiones contaminantes para vehículos con nuevas tecnologías distintas de las indicadas en los incisos e) y f).
• h)Las especificaciones requeridas para vehículos que ingresen a futuro con nuevas tecnologías.

Los límites de emisiones contaminantes podrán ser fijados reglamentariamente por el Poder Ejecutivo, siempre que procuren disminuir eficientemente la emisión de contaminantes ambientales y cuenten con los estudios técnicos que justifiquen tal variación.

Se exceptúan de las regulaciones del control de emisiones contaminantes los tractores de oruga y de llanta, los vehículos de competencia de velocidad, los de interés histórico, la maquinaria agrícola, industrial y de construcción, y los vehículos catalogados como equipo especial, excepto los vehículos grúa.

El Poder Ejecutivo determinará, mediante reglamento, las disposiciones aplicables en relación con las mediciones sonoras; para ello, los valores intermedios se establecerán según las características básicas del vehículo.

La IVE incluirá la inspección y medición del ruido de las muflas y del freno del motor. Además, cuando la naturaleza constructiva del vehículo lo permita, deberán verificar la existencia y el correcto funcionamiento del freno de motor. En el caso de sobrepasar los límites de ruido, no se otorgará el certificado de inspección técnica respectivo.

Todos los vehículos deberán utilizar silenciadores u otros mecanismos que contribuyan a disminuir los niveles de ruido producidos por sus motores, escapes y bocinas.

Los vehículos que cuenten con frenos de motor deberán utilizar silenciador que impida sobrepasar los límites de ruido que se establezcan reglamentariamente. Asimismo, se prohíbe el uso de roncadores, muflas alteradas o muflas dañadas.

Los vehículos de primer ingreso serán sometidos a la respectiva IVE, previo a la inscripción del vehículo.

Se prohíbe a los operadores de transporte público prestar el servicio con unidades no autorizadas, fuera de vida útil o que no cuenten con el respectivo permiso especial estable u ocasional expedido por el CTP. En tal caso, la Policía de Tránsito procederá a retirar, de inmediato, la unidad de circulación o inmovilizarla, sin perjuicio de las demás sanciones que le resulten aplicables.

Además de lo establecido en el artículo 4 de esta ley, todas las unidades autorizadas para la prestación de cualquier servicio de transporte público deben portar la documentación correspondiente original y vigente que acredite la autorización para la prestación del servicio. En el caso de las unidades de ruta regular, la tarjeta de capacidad fungirá como dicha autorización. Esta documentación podrá ser requerida en cualquier momento por las autoridades de tránsito.

Asimismo, los vehículos de transporte público deberán contar con una póliza voluntaria de responsabilidad civil que ampare daños a la propiedad de terceros y lesión y muerte de personas.

El CTP determinará, mediante reglamento y previo criterio técnico de la dirección técnica a su cargo, la capacidad y la densidad de pasajeros sentados y de pie en las unidades de transporte público. Estas deben ser fijadas en función de la modalidad, del tipo de ruta, distancia del recorrido y la relación peso/potencia del motor de la unidad. Las puertas del vehículo deberán mantenerse cerradas durante el recorrido y la marcha del vehículo no podrá iniciarse sin haberse cerrado las puertas.

No se autorizará el transporte de pasajeros de pie en las busetas, las microbuses y los servicios especiales. No obstante, mediante resolución fundada, el CTP podrá autorizar pasajeros de pie en los autobuses que presten servicio especial de transporte de estudiantes universitarios.

Los vehículos dedicados a la prestación del servicio de transporte público de personas en modalidad autobús o buseta en ruta regular, sin perjuicio de lo establecido en otras normas, se rigen por las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)En las áreas de entrada y salida, debe marcarse con una franja amarilla de por lo menos diez centímetros de ancho el límite de la zona en la que no pueden viajar los pasajeros.
• b)Deben llevar, en la parte delantera y de manera visible al público, un rótulo luminoso o de material retrorreflectivo que indique el origen y destino, el número de la ruta y la tarifa fijada, cuando esta sea una tarifa única.
• c)Los operadores deberán cumplir, estrictamente, con los recorridos, las paradas y los horarios establecidos por el CTP, salvo caso fortuito, fuerza mayor o hecho de un tercero.
• d)Se prohíbe subir o bajar pasajeros, si la unidad no se encuentra detenida en los sitios autorizados por el CTP o que no utilice las bahías destinadas a tal fin, en los lugares donde existan.
• e)De producirse un desperfecto mecánico que le impida a la unidad terminar el recorrido, el operador estará en la obligación de garantizarle al usuario, sin costo alguno, el abordaje en otra unidad de la misma ruta o bien el reemplazo de la unidad en un plazo razonable, en coordinación con el concesionario de la ruta, o bien, si así lo solicita, se le deberá reintegrar la totalidad de la tarifa cobrada.

A los vehículos de esta modalidad se les prohíbe circular en las carreteras o en las calles en demanda de pasajeros.

Los vehículos dedicados a la prestación del servicio de transporte público de personas en modalidad de taxi, sin perjuicio de lo establecido en otras normas, se rigen por las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)Colocar, en un lugar visible al usuario de este servicio, el código de conductor expedido por el CTP.
• b)Ser del color y con las figuras geométricas que el CTP determine, de acuerdo con el reglamento. Además, deberán contar con las siglas, el número de base de operación y las placas que le correspondan, según el contrato de la concesión.
• c)Portar las placas específicas para esta modalidad de vehículos.
• d)Deben cumplir, estrictamente, las paradas, las zonas de operación, los horarios y las demás regulaciones que dicte el CTP. No pueden operar en demanda de pasajeros, en otras zonas que no sean las autorizadas por el CTP.

Los conductores de los vehículos destinados al transporte público, así como los oficiales de tránsito y las demás autoridades de policía quedan autorizados para impedir el ingreso o exigir el retiro de los pasajeros que se encuentren dentro del vehículo, cuando se presenten las siguientes condiciones:

• a)Que el pasajero consuma alcohol o cualquier tipo de droga prohibida dentro de las unidades de transporte público o se encuentre en evidente estado de ebriedad o bajo los efectos de estas.
• b)Que el pasajero porte objetos punzocortantes, armas no autorizadas, materiales explosivos, peligrosos o animales, exceptuando los animales de asistencia para personas con discapacidad y los casos previstos en el artículo 66 de la Ley 7969, Ley Reguladora del Servicio Público de Transporte Remunerado de Personas en Vehículos en la Modalidad Taxi, de 22 de diciembre de 1999.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 1° de la Ley para la protección del taxista ante la actual crisis sanitaria, económica y social, N° 10387 del 14 de noviembre de 2023)

• c)Que el pasajero profiera expresiones injuriosas o groseras, o promueva riñas.
• d)Que el pasajero arroje objetos de cualquier tipo a la vía pública, derechos de vía, o en el interior del vehículo.
• e)Que el pasajero cause daños al vehículo o utilice los dispositivos internos de forma inadecuada.
• f)Que el pasajero irrespete las disposiciones legales o reglamentarias en materia de discapacidad.

En caso de ser necesario, el conductor detendrá la unidad y dará aviso a la autoridad policial más cercana para que obligue al perturbador a abandonar el vehículo, sin perjuicio de las sanciones a que haya lugar. El CTP deberá emitir un reglamento que determine el procedimiento para impedir el ingreso o retirar las personas de la unidad.

A los operadores de transporte público se les prohíbe:

• a)Cobrar una tarifa distinta de la fijada por el órgano competente, así como el cobro de una tarifa no fijada previamente.
• b)Poner en circulación los vehículos sin placas, con solo una placa o con placas que registralmente pertenezcan a otro vehículo, que sean alteradas o falsas, o llevarlas colocadas en el lugar diferente del que corresponda.
• c)A los vehículos autorizados para la prestación del servicio de transporte en ruta regular rotularse con la leyenda de "Servicio Especial".

Cuando se infrinja esta norma, el CTP iniciará el procedimiento administrativo respectivo con el fin de aplicar las sanciones que correspondan. La Dirección General de Tránsito comunicará mensualmente al CTP el reporte de infracciones por violación a esta prohibición. Lo anterior, sin perjuicio de lo establecido en el artículo 38 de la Ley N.º 7593, Ley de la Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, de 9 de agosto de 1996, respecto al inciso a) de este artículo.

Los vehículos que presten servicio de transportes especiales deberán estar rotulados con la leyenda que indique la modalidad de servicio especial que se brinda. Las dimensiones y la ubicación de la rotulación se harán de conformidad con lo establecido en las disposiciones reglamentarias. No podrán realizar otras actividades diferentes de las autorizadas. El permiso para transporte público en servicios especiales en todos los casos se extenderá de forma temporal, por un plazo hasta de dos años y podrán ser prorrogables, si la necesidad del servicio público así lo exige; todo mediante acuerdo razonado del Consejo de Transporte Público, debidamente fundamentado en los reglamentos que se dicten en la materia.

Las unidades autorizadas para el servicio de transportes especiales, en modalidad estudiantes y trabajadores, deben portar la autorización del CTP, en la que se indique el número de plazas permitidas en el vehículo, la descripción de recorrido, el número de placa y el de año modelo de la unidad.

El interesado deberá contar con una póliza voluntaria de responsabilidad civil que ampare daños a la propiedad de terceros y lesión y muerte de personas, extendida por una aseguradora autorizada.

Además de las establecidas en esta ley, queda prohibido a los conductores de vehículos destinados al servicio de transporte público lo siguiente:

• a)Circular con un número de pasajeros, sentados o de pie, mayor al autorizado en las respectivas tarjetas de capacidad o permitir que los pasajeros viajen en el área marcada de entrada y salida, según lo dispuesto en el inciso a) del artículo 44.
• b)Conducir con la licencia vencida o suspendida.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo único de la Ley para homologar licencias de conducir emitidas en el extranjero y evitar las multas por no portarla físicamente, N° 10591 del 5 de noviembre de 2024)

• c)No portar el código del conductor.
• d)Realizar cualquier acto que los distraiga de la conducción.
• e)Aprovisionarse de combustible, cuando transporten pasajeros.
• f)Negarse a brindar servicio a personas adultas mayores o con discapacidad.

DE LA LEY N.º 7600

El CTP, en conjunto con el Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitación y Educación Especial (Cnree) deberá trabajar continuamente en la actualización y el mejoramiento de los lineamientos aplicables a los vehículos de transporte público, para el efectivo cumplimiento de la Ley N.º 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, de 2 de mayo de 1996, y sus reformas, su reglamento y su interpretación, con base en los instrumentos internacionales sobre la materia ratificados por el país.

Las obligaciones derivadas de la aplicación de este artículo serán parte del contrato de concesión o de cualquier otro modelo de explotación aplicable a los operadores de servicios de transporte público. Verificado el incumplimiento, el CTP prevendrá al propietario registral del vehículo para que, en el plazo improrrogable de tres meses, corrija la situación. El incumplimiento que persista, una vez vencido el plazo, será causal de resolución de la concesión u otro modelo de explotación involucrado.

INTERNACIONALES DE TRANSPORTE PÚBLICO

Los propietarios de los vehículos de matrícula extranjera destinados a la prestación del servicio de transporte público internacional, excepto en la modalidad de taxi, que requieran homologar los permisos otorgados en el extranjero, deberán presentar ante el CTP los siguientes documentos y cumplir los demás requisitos que reglamentariamente se determinen:

• a)Permiso o autorización otorgado en el país de origen, el cual deberá someterse a los procedimientos de legalización correspondientes.
• b)Acreditación de la vigencia de una póliza de seguro que cubra eventuales lesiones, muerte y daños a terceros, mientras el automotor permanezca en el país, la cual deberá ser expedida en Costa Rica. El modo de acreditación y el monto de cobertura serán determinados mediante reglamento por los órganos competentes.

El plazo de vigencia de la homologación nunca podrá ser superior al plazo de vigencia del permiso u autorización del país de origen.

La Policía de Tránsito procederá a retirar de circulación la unidad que no cuente con la homologación respectiva, sin perjuicio de las demás sanciones administrativas aplicables.

PÚBLICOS Y ATENCIÓN DE EMERGENCIAS

Se autoriza el transporte de trabajadores en espacio distinto del área de cabina, exclusivamente para actividades agrícolas, mantenimiento de servicios públicos y atención de emergencias, bajo responsabilidad exclusiva del propietario del vehículo e independientemente de la información contenida en el derecho de circulación y el título de propiedad. Estos vehículos deberán contar con dispositivos de seguridad mínimos que aseguren el resguardo de la vida del pasajero.

El interesado deberá suscribir y mantener vigente una póliza voluntaria de responsabilidad civil, extendida por una aseguradora autorizada, que cubra al menos las lesiones, la muerte y los daños materiales que sufran los pasajeros o terceros, a causa de un accidente de tránsito.

Lo anterior, sin detrimento de la obligación legal del patrono de contar con un seguro de riesgos de trabajo para sus trabajadores.

Todo vehículo automotor deberá estar asegurado de conformidad con lo dispuesto en este capítulo y su reglamento, así como por lo que dispone la Ley N.° 8653, Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros, de 22 de julio de 2008, y sus reformas, y demás sobre la materia.

Las entidades aseguradoras que ofrezcan el seguro obligatorio no podrán negarse a emitir el seguro por la cobertura obligatoria establecida en esta ley, siempre que el vehículo cumpla los requisitos exigidos por la legislación para circular en el país.

El reglamento definirá las pautas para la emisión de la póliza.

Las tarifas de las primas serán determinadas por cada una de las entidades aseguradoras y deberán ser suficientes para hacer frente a los compromisos definidos para el seguro obligatorio. La Superintendencia General de Seguros no tramitará solicitudes de autorización de tarifas cuyo margen de utilidad sea superior al seis por ciento (6%). La nota técnica que sustenta la tarifa deberá cumplir las formalidades requeridas en la normativa que emita el Consejo Nacional de Supervisión del Sistema Financiero.

No obstante, si a pesar de dicha limitación se producen excedentes, se constituirá una reserva acumulativa para hacerle frente a futuras pérdidas del seguro obligatorio, hasta de un veinticinco por ciento (25%) de las primas percibidas en el año. Si el excedente supera este porcentaje, el remanente se trasladará a título de contribución especial a la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social para mitigar el costo por la atención de personas lesionadas, cuando se agote la cobertura del seguro obligatorio.

El asegurador, dentro del ámbito del aseguramiento obligatorio y con cargo al seguro de suscripción obligatoria, habrá de satisfacer al perjudicado el importe de los daños sufridos en su persona hasta por la suma asegurada. El perjudicado o sus derechohabientes tendrán acción directa contra el asegurador.

Todas las entidades aseguradoras que ofrezcan el seguro obligatorio, en proporción a su participación en las primas totales emitidas en dicho seguro, responderán solidariamente y hasta el límite de la cobertura en los siguientes casos:

• a)Cuando no sea posible la identificación del vehículo causante del accidente.
• b)Cuando el vehículo causante no esté asegurado.
• c)El vehículo causante esté asegurado y haya sido objeto de robo.
• d)La entidad aseguradora del vehículo causante haya sido disuelta. En estos casos, las entidades que hayan respondido por las obligaciones de la entidad disuelta o en proceso de disolución tienen acción de cobro ante los liquidadores.
• e)La entidad aseguradora del vehículo causante se encuentre en situación de insolvencia y esté sujeta a un procedimiento de liquidación o intervención, en cuyo caso las entidades que hayan asumido y respondido por las obligaciones de la insolvente deberán legalizar sus créditos, conforme a la legislación civil. De no hacerlo oportunamente, perderán el privilegio que pudiera corresponderles y se convertirán en acreedores comunes.
• f)En los casos señalados en los incisos anteriores, el perjudicado o sus derechohabientes podrán realizar el reclamo en cualquier entidad aseguradora que ofrezca el seguro obligatorio automotor.

Lo dispuesto en este capítulo no se aplica a los propietarios de los vehículos automotores que operen sobre rieles ni a los que, por su naturaleza, no estén destinados a circular por las vías públicas.

Las personas físicas o jurídicas que se dediquen a la venta de vehículos automotores, nuevos o usados, deben suscribir una póliza global que cubra los mismos extremos que la póliza individual, según lo disponga el reglamento respectivo.

Los propietarios de los vehículos de matrícula extranjera o sus conductores deben suscribir y mantener vigente, mientras el automotor permanezca en el país, el seguro obligatorio en los términos que fija esta ley. Las autoridades de aduana extenderán el permiso para que el vehículo circule en el país, solo si se demuestra que se ha suscrito el seguro obligatorio con la vigencia definida en el reglamento de esta ley.

El Poder Ejecutivo reglamentará este capítulo sobre seguro obligatorio de vehículos. El reglamento definirá el monto básico de cobertura por persona; el baremo de indemnizaciones, la clasificación de tipos de vehículos para efectos de tarificación y demás consideraciones necesarias para la aplicación del régimen indemnizatorio establecido en esta ley.

La reglamentación sectorial de la actividad aseguradora se regirá por la Ley N.° 8653, Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros, de 22 de julio de 2008, y sus reformas. La Superintendencia General de Seguros mantendrá un registro público de vehículos asegurados con el seguro obligatorio y deberá garantizar el acceso oportuno a la información de este. Para ello, las entidades aseguradoras remitirán la información en la forma y con la periodicidad que se determine reglamentariamente.

La póliza a la que se refiere este capítulo tendrá una vigencia de un año calendario, empezando el 1 de enero de cada año y hasta el 31 de diciembre de ese mismo año.

En caso de que la póliza se pague en fecha posterior al 1 de enero, su vigencia será a partir de la fecha de pago y hasta el 31 de diciembre de ese mismo año, a excepción de las pólizas para vehículos de matrícula extranjera a que hace referencia el artículo 60.

En caso de aseguramiento tardío o incumplimiento del aseguramiento obligatorio en los períodos previos, las entidades aseguradoras aplicarán un recargo sobre el monto de la prima, equivalente a la tasa básica pasiva anual más cinco puntos porcentuales, calculada por el Banco Central de Costa Rica, vigente al momento del cobro, aplicado en forma proporcional a los días de retraso.

Se exceptúan del pago por este concepto los casos en que haya habido depósito voluntario de las placas de matrícula, retiro temporal del vehículo o retiro de las placas de matrícula, todo de conformidad con esta ley, aplicando la exoneración respectiva a partir de la fecha del depósito o retiro y durante el plazo que dure esa condición. Igualmente, se exceptúa de este pago cuando conste registralmente el robo del vehículo automotor, aplicando la exoneración respectiva a partir de la fecha de la anotación pertinente.

El seguro obligatorio de los vehículos automotores cubre la lesión y la muerte de las personas víctimas de un accidente de tránsito, exista o no responsabilidad subjetiva del conductor. Asimismo, la lesión o muerte ocurrida en un accidente producido con responsabilidad civil, derivados de la posesión, el uso o el mantenimiento del vehículo. En este último caso, esta responsabilidad debe ser fijada mediante los procedimientos establecidos y ante los tribunales competentes.

Para los efectos de la indemnización prevista por el seguro obligatorio de vehículos automotores, se presume que todo accidente donde participe uno o más vehículos automotores es un accidente de tránsito y, por tanto, susceptible de ser indemnizado conforme a la presente ley, en tanto no haya aviso de accidente laboral por parte del patrono, la víctima del accidente o sus derechohabientes, de conformidad con lo establecido en el Código de Trabajo.

De existir este aviso se presumirá que se trata de un riesgo laboral y la atención del lesionado se regirá por lo dispuesto en el Código de Trabajo, salvo que la entidad aseguradora, mediante prueba idónea, determine lo contrario.

En dicho evento la entidad aseguradora que emitió la póliza de seguro obligatorio automotor reconocerá, a la entidad aseguradora que emitió el seguro de riesgos del trabajo, los gastos incurridos en la atención del caso. De igual forma procederá esta última, si el aviso de accidente laboral se produce de forma tardía, en relación con los gastos en que, hasta ese momento, haya incurrido la entidad que emitió el seguro obligatorio de vehículos.

El límite de cobertura por persona es individual e intransferible según se establece a continuación:

• a)Hasta un monto básico para cubrir de forma combinada las prestaciones médicas o económicas.
• b)El monto dispuesto en el inciso anterior se duplicará, a efectos de cubrir, exclusivamente, prestaciones médicas, en presencia de alguna de las siguientes situaciones:

i. El lesionado no sea asegurado al Régimen de Enfermedad y Maternidad de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS).

ii. El lesionado sea menor de dieciocho años de edad.

iii. Se tenga en riesgo la vida del lesionado.

• c)Hasta un monto básico por persona, para cubrir la indemnización en el caso de invalidez permanente, sea total o parcial. No se deducirá suma alguna por concepto de las prestaciones indicadas en los incisos a) y b).
• d)Hasta un monto básico por persona para cubrir la indemnización en el caso de muerte, del cual no se deducirá ninguna suma.
• e)Para todos los casos en que se agote el monto de la cobertura indicada en los incisos a) y b) de este artículo, se procederá de conformidad con esta ley.

El Poder Ejecutivo definirá los parámetros de actualización del monto básico de la cobertura.

Dentro de los montos límites a los que se refiere el artículo anterior, las víctimas o sus derechohabientes, que resulten afectadas como consecuencia de un accidente cubierto por este seguro, tendrán derecho al menos a los siguientes servicios:

• a)Asistencia médica, quirúrgica, hospitalaria, farmacéutica y de rehabilitación.
• b)Prótesis y aparatos médicos que se requieran para corregir las deficiencias funcionales.
• c)Prestaciones en dinero que correspondan a la indemnización por incapacidad, temporal o permanente, o por la muerte, según se detalla en esta ley.
• d)Gastos de traslado, en los términos y las condiciones establecidos en el reglamento de esta ley.
• e)Pagos de hospedaje y de alimentación, cuando el lesionado, con motivo del suministro de las prestaciones médico-sanitarias o de rehabilitación, deba trasladarse a un lugar distinto de su residencia habitual, y la entidad aseguradora no pueda suministrarle ese servicio. El monto por este concepto será fijado en el reglamento de esta ley.
• f)Costos incurridos por el funeral y el traslado del cuerpo, según los términos que se establecerán en el reglamento de esta ley.

Para el suministro de las prestaciones económicas y sanitarias, que deban otorgarse al amparo del seguro obligatorio de vehículo automotor, rigen las siguientes normas:

• a)Las prestaciones por este seguro comenzarán a brindarse por los médicos de las entidades aseguradoras o por los que la víctima contrate en su condición de lesionada. Para tener derecho a ellas, se debe informar a la entidad aseguradora, mediante el aviso del accidente que está obligado a presentar el conductor, el propietario del vehículo o cualquier autoridad que conozca el hecho. La víctima o sus familiares podrán dar aviso a la entidad aseguradora acerca del suceso, aportando o indicando, en su caso, la prueba que tengan.

El plazo para dar el aviso será de diez días hábiles después del accidente, salvo que se demuestre que ha existido imposibilidad real para presentar la prueba en el plazo estipulado. En este último caso, el plazo corre a partir del momento en que cese la imposibilidad.

• b)Será motivo suficiente para interrumpir los beneficios de este seguro, el hecho de que el asegurado, el conductor o la víctima, al denunciar el accidente o al tramitar el reclamo, oculten, informen o expongan, con falsedad, cualquier acto o circunstancia determinante en la calificación del accidente o incurran en cualquier fraude o falso testimonio con respecto a lo anterior, cuando así lo determine la autoridad judicial. Cuando esas circunstancias originen un pago indebido, la entidad aseguradora tendrá derecho a exigir, por la vía ejecutiva, el reintegro de las sumas pagadas, en exceso o de forma indebida.

Para esos efectos, será título ejecutivo la constancia sobre los costos incurridos, expedida por la entidad aseguradora.

• c)Los derechos y las acciones para plantear reclamos prescriben en tres años, a partir del día en que ocurrió el accidente. En el caso de que en dicho plazo se hayan presentado reclamos, recibido atención médica y la persona haya sido dada de alta, esta podrá solicitar nuevamente atención médica, siempre que lo haga dentro de los tres años posteriores a la fecha en que se le dio de alta y hasta por un máximo de seis años, contados a partir de esa misma fecha.

Para el suministro de las prestaciones sanitarias que deban otorgarse al amparo del presente seguro, se garantiza la libertad de elección de la víctima y los asegurados para seleccionar los servicios médicos, ya sea de la red de proveedores de servicios auxiliares contratada por la entidad aseguradora y debidamente registrada ante la Superintendencia General de Seguros, o por los que contrate en su condición de lesionada en el ejercicio de esta libertad de elección.

En el caso de que se causen lesiones o la muerte a personas, con un vehículo automotor para el cual no esté vigente el seguro obligatorio de los vehículos, de conformidad con lo estipulado en este capítulo, la víctima o los beneficiarios tendrán derecho a exigir, solidariamente, al propietario del vehículo causante, la prestación inmediata de los servicios médicos y las garantías económicas previstas en este capítulo, con las limitaciones en cuanto al monto máximo de cobertura vigente, sin perjuicio de los derechos que le puedan corresponder, si existe responsabilidad del causante del accidente.

La Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social tendrá prioridad en el pago de las prestaciones en dinero y de los servicios médicos, incluidos los servicios médicos prestados en la atención inmediata del accidente. De existir un remanente, se pagará a las otras entidades que hayan prestado estos servicios hasta los límites de cobertura establecidos. En este caso, las facturas se pagarán en orden de presentación.

Para tales efectos, será título ejecutivo la facturación que expida la CCSS sobre los costos de los servicios médicos brindados.

Los servicios médicos, hospitalarios y farmacéuticos que no puedan cubrir las entidades aseguradoras, en vista de haberse agotado el monto disponible por persona, serán suministrados por la entidad seleccionada por la víctima y los asegurados de conformidad con el artículo 69, la cual no podrá negarse a continuar el tratamiento, sin perjuicio de su derecho a realizar el cobro de los gastos adicionales en que incurra. Cuando esta entidad sea la CCSS, deberá suministrarse el servicio ya sea que se trate de accidentados asegurados o no asegurados en el Régimen de Enfermedad y Maternidad. En el caso de no asegurados, será título ejecutivo la factura que expida la CCSS sobre los costos de los servicios médicos brindados.

Se autoriza a las entidades aseguradoras que oferten seguros obligatorios de vehículos automotores para que suscriban los convenios necesarios con la CCSS, a efectos de coordinar los aspectos operativos derivados de la atención médica entregada por esta institución.

Los servicios médico-sanitarios derivados del seguro obligatorio de los vehículos no podrán renunciarse, transarse, cederse, compensarse, gravarse ni embargarse, excepto las prestaciones en dinero, que podrán embargarse hasta por un cincuenta por ciento (50%) por pensión alimentaria.

En el caso de incapacidad temporal, el accidentado tendrá derecho a un monto que complemente el que reconoce la CCSS y el patrono para el cual labora. En ninguna circunstancia, el subsidio que perciba el lesionado será superior al ciento por ciento (100%) del ingreso debidamente comprobado, según se señala en el artículo 74 de esta ley, ni inferior al salario mínimo que esté vigente en la fecha del percance, y que sea proporcional a la jornada de trabajo desempeñada en la actividad a la que se dedica el perjudicado.

Para el cálculo del subsidio por incapacidad temporal e indemnización por incapacidad permanente, se tendrán como ingresos de la víctima, en su orden:

• a)Los salarios reportados en las planillas presentadas a la CCSS y los ingresos reportados, en el caso de trabajadores independientes.
• b)Los salarios reportados en las planillas del seguro de riesgos del trabajo o, en su defecto, en la declaración personal para el impuesto sobre la renta presentada al Ministerio de Hacienda. En todo caso, cualquier documento de los señalados anteriormente debe haberse entregado, a la institución correspondiente, antes de la fecha del accidente.

Si el accidentado no puede demostrar sus ingresos por los medios expuestos, por tratarse de una persona que no está asegurada en ninguno de los regímenes apuntados y no es declarante de la renta ni de cualquier otro caso de excepción, el cálculo del subsidio por incapacidad temporal o indemnización por incapacidad permanente se hará tomando como base el salario mínimo legal devengado en la actividad en la cual se desempeñaba la víctima.

Para efectos de determinar el porcentaje de incapacidad permanente, se seguirán las disposiciones que establece la Ley N.º 2, Código de Trabajo, de 27 de agosto de 1943, y sus reformas, en materia de riesgos laborales.

El reglamento desarrollará la metodología de estimación de la indemnización con cargo al seguro obligatorio de vehículos automotores. El pago de la indemnización se hará en un solo tracto.

Tendrán derecho al pago por concepto de indemnización en caso de muerte de una persona por un accidente con un vehículo amparado por el seguro obligatorio de vehículos, según el orden de cita prioritaria, excepto los incisos a), b) y c), que no son excluyentes, las siguientes personas:

(Así reformado el párrafo anterior por el artículo 6° de la ley N° 10166 del 30 de marzo de 2022, "Reforma varias leyes para el reconocimiento de derechos a madres y padres de crianza")

• a)Los menores de dieciocho años que dependían económicamente del fallecido. No será necesario probar la dependencia económica, cuando los menores sean hijos de este. En todos los demás casos, se debe probar, fehacientemente, la dependencia económica.
• b)Los hijos mayores de dieciocho años pero menores de veinticinco que realicen estudios universitarios y que no dispongan de los recursos propios para su manutención. Asimismo, los hijos mayores de dieciocho años que, por su condición de invalidez, no puedan procurarse sus propios ingresos.
• c)El cónyuge supérstite que convivía con el accidentado, el divorciado o el separado judicialmente por causas imputables al occiso, siempre y cuando se compruebe que dependía económicamente del fallecido o, en su defecto, la compañera con quien haya o no haya procreado hijos, siempre y cuando haya convivido con él, de forma ininterrumpida, durante los últimos dos años y dependiera económicamente de él. En este caso, debe aportar las pruebas necesarias de su condición.
• d)La madre legítima o la madre de crianza.
• e)El padre, o el padre de crianza, la madre, o la madre de crianza, cuando haya velado en su oportunidad por la manutención del fallecido.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 6° de la ley N° 10166 del 30 de marzo de 2022, "Reforma varias leyes para el reconocimiento de derechos a madres y padres de crianza")

• f)Los ascendientes o los descendientes hasta tercer grado de consanguinidad o de afinidad, los adultos mayores o los incapacitados para trabajar, que vivían bajo la dependencia económica del fallecido.

El monto que le corresponderá a cada beneficiario será igual al saldo de la suma por lesionado, dividido entre el número de derechohabientes.

Si el monto de la indemnización por lesión o muerte es superior al monto que cubre la póliza, la víctima o sus derechohabientes tienen la facultad de recurrir a los tribunales respectivos para demandar al responsable del accidente, el pago de la diferencia o complemento que les corresponda, de acuerdo con las leyes de orden común. Las sumas cubiertas por el seguro obligatorio automotor son deducibles del total que estén obligados legalmente a pagar el conductor o el propietario del vehículo.

En materia de seguro obligatorio no contemplada en esta ley, en su reglamento ejecutivo y en los reglamentos técnicos emitidos, se procederá a aplicar de forma supletoria las normas contenidas en la Ley N.° 2, Código de Trabajo, de 27 de agosto de 1943, y sus reformas; la Ley N.° 8653, Ley Reguladora del Mercado de Seguros, de 22 de julio de 2008, y sus reformas, y la Ley N.° 8956, Ley Reguladora del Contrato de Seguros, de 17 de junio de 2011.

Toda persona podrá obtener la licencia para la conducción de vehículos por vías públicas terrestres, una vez cumplidos los requisitos de idoneidad establecidos legal y reglamentariamente.

Las personas con discapacidad, que así lo requieran, podrán conducir vehículos especialmente adaptados, de conformidad con las mejores prácticas internacionales de seguridad vial y de derechos humanos.

El examen práctico al que se refiere el inciso e) del artículo 84 de esta ley debe realizarse en los vehículos que presenten las características propias del tipo de licencia a la que el conductor aspira; podrá realizarse con un vehículo de transmisión manual, automática o acorde con otra tecnología.

En el caso de las licencias clase A y B, los vehículos que se utilicen para realizar el examen práctico deberán superar los límites máximos de peso y potencia requeridos para la obtención del tipo de licencia inmediata inferior a la solicitada.

Cuando se trate de vehículos articulados, la realización del examen requerirá el manejo del vehículo completo (cabezal y remolque).

Las personas con discapacidad podrán realizar el examen práctico en un vehículo adaptado a su condición.

DE CONDUCTORES

La obtención del permiso temporal de aprendizaje y de la licencia de conducir está sujeta al cumplimiento de los requisitos o las condiciones establecidos por esta ley y las disposiciones que se establezcan reglamentariamente.

El proceso de acreditación de conductores, cuando se trate de la prestación de un servicio público, deberá ajustarse a los estándares del Sistema Nacional para la Calidad, fijados en la Ley N.º 8279, de 2 de mayo de 2002.

(Anulado el párrafo final original por resolución de la Sala Constitucional N° 8481 del 11 de junio de 2014)

Para obtener el permiso temporal de aprendiz de conductor, el cual tendrá una vigencia de tres meses a partir de su fecha de expedición, el solicitante deberá cumplir los siguientes requisitos:

• a)Saber leer y escribir. Si la persona presenta algún tipo de limitación de aprendizaje, cognitiva o similar, el solicitante podrá sustituir este requisito con los cursos especiales que establezca la Dirección General de Educación Vial. A las personas con discapacidad se les deberán garantizar las adecuaciones y los servicios de apoyo necesarios durante la instrucción del curso.
• b)Aprobar el Curso Básico de Educación Vial, cuyos requisitos se establecerán mediante reglamento.
• c)Ser mayor de dieciocho años, excepto lo dispuesto para la licencia tipo A-1.
• d)Presentar un dictamen médico general realizado por un profesional en ciencias médicas, autorizado por el Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos.
• e)Suscribir una póliza de seguro con cobertura de responsabilidad civil, cuyo monto se determinará por reglamento.
• f)No haber cometido ninguna de las infracciones indicadas en el artículo 143 de esta ley ni los delitos del 254 bis(*), de la Ley N.º 4573, Código Penal, de 4 de mayo de 1970, y sus reformas, durante los doce meses anteriores a la fecha en la que solicita el permiso temporal de aprendizaje.

(*) (Nota de Sinalevi: De acuerdo con la reforma efectuada por la Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 del 10 de julio de 2012, la cual corrió la numeración de los artículos del Código Penal, el numeral 254 bis, que castiga la conducción temeraria, corresponde ahora el 261 bis)

• g)Cumplir los requisitos mínimos de la licencia que se trate.

El aprendiz con permiso temporal debe estar asistido por un acompañante o instructor que posea una licencia de conductor del mismo tipo o superior a la que aspira, la cual deberá encontrarse vigente y haberse obtenido al menos con cinco años de antelación. Ni el aprendiz ni el instructor o acompañante podrán encontrarse bajo los efectos del licor o de las drogas, de conformidad con las normas que regulan la materia, al hacer uso de este permiso. En el caso de las escuelas de manejo, los instructores deberán cumplir lo establecido en la Ley N.º 8709, Ley de Regulación de las Escuelas de Manejo, de 3 de febrero de 2009.

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante el artículo 2° de la Ley para mejorar la eficacia de la legislación en materia de control de alcohol y drogas en la conducción, N° 10860 del 27 de febrero de 2026, se reformará el párrafo anterior De conformidad con el Transitorio III de la ley antes mencionada la misma empezará a regir doce meses después de su publicación, es decir el 28 de marzo de 2027, por lo que a partir de esa fecha dicho párrafo se leerá de la siguiente manera: "La persona aprendiz con permiso temporal debe estar asistida por un acompañante o instructor que posea una licencia de conductor del mismo tipo o superior a la que aspira, la cual deberá encontrarse vigente y haberse obtenido al menos con cinco años de antelación. Ni la persona aprendiz ni el instructor o acompañante podrán encontrarse con presencia de alcohol en el organismo ni bajo los efectos de drogas ilícitas o sus metabolitos psicoactivos, en ambos casos determinado por aplicación de los procedimientos establecidos para tal fin, de conformidad con las normas que regulan la materia, al hacer uso de este permiso. En el caso de las escuelas de manejo, los instructores deberán cumplir lo establecido en la Ley 8709, Regulación de las Escuelas de Manejo, del 3 de febrero de 2009.

") En los casos en que se solicite el permiso temporal de aprendizaje, a efectos de gestionar la licencia tipo C-2, la práctica debe realizarse en unidades sin pasajeros, salvo el instructor o el acompañante.

Para obtener por primera vez cualquier clase de licencia de conducir, el solicitante debe cumplir los siguientes requisitos:

• a)Ser mayor de dieciocho años, salvo en el caso de lo dispuesto por el artículo 85 para la licencia tipo A-1. En el caso de las licencias tipo B2, B3 y B4, reguladas por el artículo 86 de esta ley, deberá cumplirse la edad mínima allí indicada.
• b)Saber leer y escribir. Si la persona presenta algún tipo de limitación de aprendizaje, cognitiva o similar, el solicitante podrá sustituir este requisito con los cursos especiales que establezca la Dirección General de Educación Vial. A las personas con discapacidad se les deberán garantizar las adecuaciones y los servicios de apoyo necesarios durante la instrucción del curso.
• c)Presentar un dictamen médico general realizado por un profesional en ciencias médicas, autorizado por el Colegio de Médicos y Cirujanos.
• d)Aprobar el curso básico de educación vial, cuyos requisitos se establecerán mediante reglamento.
• e)Aprobar el examen práctico para el tipo de licencia a la que se aspira, de conformidad con las disposiciones que para ese efecto establezcan las autoridades competentes. Se exceptúan del examen práctico las licencias de tipo C-1 y la tipo E-1 y E-2. El examen se podrá realizar en vehículos de transmisión manual, automática, mixta o especialmente adaptados, en el caso de las personas con discapacidad, respetando la naturaleza constructiva de las casas fabricantes. Cuando se trate de vehículos articulados, la realización del examen requerirá el manejo del vehículo completo (cabezal, remolque o semirremolque).

Para la obtención de la licencia B-1, el examen práctico se realizará en vehículos hasta de 4000 kilogramos de peso bruto o PMA, siempre que no se trate de vehículos tipo UTV.

• f)No haber cometido ninguno de los delitos tipificados en el artículo 254 bis(*) de la Ley N.º 4573, Código Penal, de 4 mayo de 1970, y sus reformas, ni alguna de las infracciones catalogadas como conductas categoría A y B de esta ley, durante los doce meses anteriores a la fecha en la que solicita la licencia por primera vez.

(*) (Nota de Sinalevi: De acuerdo con la reforma efectuada por la Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 del 10 de julio de 2012, la cual corrió la numeración de los artículos del Código Penal, el numeral 254 bis, que castiga la conducción temeraria, corresponde ahora el 261 bis)

En el caso del requisito contemplado en el inciso c) de este artículo, también deberá observarse para la renovación o reacreditación de la licencia de conducir.

Las licencias de conducir clase A tendrán las siguientes modalidades:

Tipo A-1: autoriza a conducir vehículos automotores tipo bicimoto y motocicleta, de combustión interna, cuya cilindrada de motor no supere 125 centímetros cúbicos. En caso de que estos cuenten con motores eléctricos o híbridos, la potencia máxima no podrá superar 11 kilovatios. Asimismo, autoriza conducir triciclo y cuadraciclo, cuyo cilindraje de motor no supere los doscientos cincuenta centímetros cúbicos.

Se autoriza a los mayores de dieciséis años a optar por esta licencia de conducir, siempre que tengan la autorización escrita de alguno de los padres, curador, tutor o de su representante legal o administrativo. Además, deberán suscribir una póliza de seguro por muerte, lesiones, accidente y daños a terceros.

Tipo A-2: autoriza a conducir vehículos automotores tipo bicimoto y motocicleta, de combustión interna, cuya cilindrada de motor no supere los quinientos centímetros cúbicos. En caso de que estos cuenten con motores eléctricos o híbridos, la potencia máxima no podrá superar 35 kilovatios.

Tipo A-3: autoriza a conducir vehículos automotores tipo bicimoto y motocicleta, de combustión interna, eléctricos o híbridos, sin límite de cilindrada o potencia. Los conductores acreditados con este tipo de licencia podrán conducir todos los vehículos autorizados para las licencias clase A.

Las licencias de conducir clase B tendrán las siguientes modalidades:

Tipo B-1: autoriza a conducir vehículos hasta de 4000 kilogramos de peso bruto o peso máximo autorizado (PMA). Estos vehículos podrán ser conducidos con un remolque liviano, siempre y cuando el vehículo, el remolque y la carga en conjunto no excedan los 4000 kilogramos de peso bruto y no estén regulados dentro de otras clases o tipos de licencia. Adicionalmente, autoriza para conducir unidades de transporte tipo UTV. Asimismo, se autoriza a conducir en carreteras no primarias vehículos tipo triciclo y cuadraciclo, cuyo cilindraje de motor no supere los quinientos cincuenta centímetros cúbicos.

Tipo B-2: autoriza a conducir vehículos hasta de 8000 kilogramos de peso bruto o peso máximo autorizado (PMA). Estos vehículos podrán ser conducidos con un remolque, siempre y cuando el vehículo, el remolque y la carga en conjunto no excedan los 8000 kilogramos de peso bruto. El conductor deberá ser mayor de veinte años y contar con una licencia clase B o C, al menos con dos años de expedida.

Tipo B-3: autoriza a conducir vehículos de todo peso, excepto los vehículos pesados articulados. El conductor deberá ser mayor de veintidós años y contar con una licencia clase B o C, al menos con tres años de Tipo B-4: autoriza a conducir vehículos de todo peso, incluyendo los vehículos pesados articulados. El conductor deberá ser mayor de veintidós años y contar con una licencia clase B o C, al menos con tres años de expedida, y aprobar un curso especialmente impartido por la Dirección General de Educación Vial o un ente debidamente acreditado, según lo dispuesto en el artículo 222 de la presente ley.

(Así reformado por el artículo 1° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

Las licencias de conducir clase C tendrán las siguientes modalidades:

Tipo C-1: autoriza a conducir los vehículos automotores en modalidad de taxi. El conductor deberá contar con una licencia clase B o tipo C-2, con al menos tres años de expedida y haber obtenido el certificado del curso básico de educación vial para transporte público.

Tipo C-2: autoriza a conducir vehículos automotores de transporte público de personas modalidad autobús, buseta y microbús. Se deberá contar con una licencia clase B o tipo C-1, al menos con tres años de expedida y haber obtenido el certificado del curso básico de educación vial para transporte público.

Excepcionalmente, mediante la aprobación de un curso especialmente diseñado, fiscalizado y avalado por el CTP, las personas con dos años de C-2, siempre que se garantice, mediante parámetros técnicos, que reúnen las características idóneas para la conducción del tipo de vehículos aquí indicados.

Previo a la autorización para la prestación de servicios especiales de transporte de estudiantes menores de edad, deberá aportarse un certificado de delincuencia en el que conste que no ha sido condenado por delitos de pedofilia, sexuales o los contemplados en el artículo 254 bis(*) de la Ley N.° 4573, Código Penal, de 4 mayo de 1970, y sus reformas.

Los conductores que obtengan licencia clase C podrán prescindir de la licencia tipo B-1, para la conducción de los vehículos automotores que ampara dicha acreditación.

(*) (Nota de Sinalevi: De acuerdo con la reforma efectuada por la Ley sobre delitos informáticos y conexos, N° 9048 del 10 de julio de 2012, la cual corrió la numeración de los artículos del Código Penal, el numeral 254 bis, que castiga la conducción temeraria, corresponde ahora el 261 bis)

Las licencias de conducir clase D tendrán las siguientes modalidades:

Tipo D-1: autoriza a conducir tractores de llantas.

Tipo D-2: autoriza a conducir solo tractores de oruga.

Tipo D-3: autoriza a conducir otros tipos de equipo especial, no contemplados en las licencias D-1 o D-2.

Las licencias de conducir clase E tendrán las siguientes modalidades:

Tipo E-1: autoriza a conducir los vehículos comprendidos dentro de las clases de dos, tres, cuatro o más ejes, excepto los destinados al transporte público. El conductor deberá contar con una licencia A-3 y B-4, al menos con un año de expedida.

Tipo E-2: autoriza a manejar tractores de llanta, de oruga y toda clase de vehículos de dos, tres, cuatro o más ejes, así como la maquinaria que se autoriza mediante la licencia del tipo D-1, D-2 y D-3, excepto la maquinaria destinada al transporte público. El conductor deberá contar con una licencia A-3 y B-4, al menos con un año de

Todo patrono que contrate personas, cuya labor principal sea la conducción de vehículos para el traslado de mercancías o personas, deberá emplear para tal actividad conductores profesionales.

• a)Los conductores acreditados con licencia de conducir en el extranjero, que se encuentren en el país en cualquiera de las subcategorías de estancia previstas por la Ley 8764, Ley General de Migración y Extranjería, de 19 de agosto de 2009, o en tránsito, quedan autorizados para conducir el mismo vehículo que les permite dicha licencia por un plazo idéntico al autorizado para su permanencia legal en el territorio nacional.

No se podrá exigir la presentación de la licencia en formato físico, cuando tal persona la muestre en formato digital porque así la emite su país de origen o residencia.

Durante este período, los conductores, acreditados con una licencia de conducir equivalente a la licencia nacional tipo B-1 o superior, podrán conducir en carreteras no primarias vehículos tipo bicimoto y motocicleta de combustión interna, cuya cilindrada de motor no supere 125 centímetros cúbicos; en caso de que estos cuenten con motores eléctricos o híbridos, la potencia máxima no podrá superar 11 kilovatios. En los mismos términos, se autoriza a la conducción de motocicletas tipo triciclo y cuadraciclo, cuyo cilindraje de motor no supere los 500 centímetros cúbicos.

A estos conductores les será aplicable la misma normativa que a los conductores acreditados con licencia de conducir nacional.

• b)Los conductores acreditados con licencia de conducir en el extranjero, que cuenten con un estatus migratorio aprobado en el país o hayan presentado una solicitud para contar con un estatus migratorio legal, los funcionarios diplomáticos y consulares extranjeros y los funcionarios de organismos internacionales acreditados en el país mientras permanezcan en sus funciones, podrán conducir siempre que obtengan la licencia de conducir costarricense, sin requerir un período ininterrumpido mínimo de estadía en el país, previo cumplimiento de los siguientes requisitos:

i. La licencia que se pretende homologar debe estar vigente.

ii. Cumplir lo dispuesto en esta ley para la clase y el tipo de licencia que se pretende homologar, excepto la obligación de atender el curso básico de educación vial y de realizar el examen práctico de manejo.

iii. Acreditar su permanencia legal en el país o que se encuentre en trámite, al amparo de la legislación migratoria vigente.

• c)Para el proceso de homologación de licencias de personas extranjeras con el fin de laborar como conductores profesionales de transporte remunerado de personas o de carga pesada, además de observar lo dispuesto en el inciso b), subincisos i), ii) y iii) del presente artículo, deberá atenderse lo siguiente:

i. A los conductores con licencias equivalentes al tipo B-4 y clase C, contemplados en esta ley, se les podrá homologar la experiencia según la licencia que se pretende convalidar.

ii. Además de los requisitos exigidos por los artículos 85 y 86 de la presente ley, a quienes soliciten una licencia tipo B4 o clase C, por primera vez, se les podrá homologar la experiencia previa a partir de la licencia extranjera equivalente que ostenten.

Para los conductores con licencias equivalentes al tipo B-4 y C, contempladas en esta ley, se podrá homologar la respectivo curso especialmente diseñado, fiscalizado y avalado por el ente competente y/o debidamente acreditado para el tipo de vehículo que pretende manejar.

De igual forma, quedan autorizados para conducir las personas extranjeras cuyo estatus migratorio amparado a la legislación nacional se considere regular, por encontrarse con un trámite de solicitud de cambio de categoría migratoria o prórroga, cuya resolución final está pendiente de resolver por parte de la Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería.

(Así reformado por el artículo único de la Ley para homologar licencias de conducir emitidas en el extranjero y evitar las multas por no portarla físicamente, N° 10591 del 5 de noviembre de 2024)

• a)Cuando se expida por primera vez, su vigencia será de tres años.
• b)Cuando se expida por renovación, se aplicará lo siguiente:
• i)Si al momento de renovar la licencia el conductor ha acumulado cuatro puntos o menos, de conformidad con el sistema definido en el artículo 134 de esta ley, la renovación de su vigencia será por seis años. Además, el conductor solo deberá cancelar el equivalente al cincuenta por ciento (50%) del valor de la renovación de la licencia.
• ii)Si al momento de renovar la licencia el conductor ha acumulado entre cinco y ocho puntos, de conformidad con el sistema definido en el artículo 134 de esta ley, la renovación de su vigencia será por cuatro años. Además, el conductor deberá realizar un curso de sensibilización y reeducación vial, cuyas condiciones se establecerán reglamentariamente.
• iii)Si al momento de renovar la licencia el conductor ha acumulado entre nueve y once puntos, de conformidad con el sistema definido en el artículo 134 de esta ley, la renovación de su vigencia será de tres años. Además, el conductor deberá asistir a un curso de sensibilización y reeducación vial, cuyas condiciones se establecerán reglamentariamente.
• iv)Los puntos serán acumulados, únicamente, durante el período de vigencia de la licencia de conducir respectiva; al momento de la renovación se reiniciará el cómputo de puntos.
• c)Cuando se expida por reacreditación, su vigencia será de tres años.

USO DE LAS VÍAS PÚBLICAS

Al usar las vías públicas, los conductores, los pasajeros de los vehículos y los peatones deben:

• a)Acatar de inmediato las indicaciones verbales o escritas de las autoridades de tránsito y detenerse cuando les indiquen la señal de parada, la cual puede realizarse con la mano o por medio de señales acústicas o luminosas.
• b)Respetar las instrucciones de cualquier dispositivo oficial de control de tránsito que haya sido instalado y funcione de acuerdo con las disposiciones legales y reglamentarias respectivas.
• c)Observar y cumplir las señales verticales y horizontales en las vías públicas.
• d)Conducirse de manera que no se obstruya la circulación ni se ponga en peligro la seguridad de los vehículos o de las demás personas.
• e)Los conductores deberán evitar las situaciones que impidan la libre circulación del tránsito; por ello, aplicarán el manejo defensivo y mantendrán una constante precaución y consideración mutua hacia los peatones y los demás conductores.
• f)Dar prioridad de paso a los vehículos de emergencia cuando circulen en atención de un incidente de esta naturaleza, lo cual se evidenciará por la activación de los dispositivos de alarma con que cuentan dichos automotores.

Los conductores deberán velar por la integridad física y la seguridad de su persona y la de los pasajeros; además, deberán utilizar y asegurarse de que todos los ocupantes del vehículo utilicen los cinturones de seguridad y demás dispositivos que conforme a esta ley deban instalarse en el vehículo.

Las personas menores de doce años que midan menos de 1.45 metros de estatura deberán viajar en el asiento trasero del vehículo. Para ello, deberá adaptarse un sistema de retención infantil, cuyas especificaciones técnicas se definirán reglamentariamente. Excepcionalmente, podrán viajar en el asiento del acompañante del conductor, utilizando el sistema de retención infantil, cuando un motivo médico debidamente acreditado así lo requiera, o cuando por la naturaleza constructiva el vehículo no cuente con asientos traseros.

Se exceptúan, de la utilización de los sistemas de retención infantil, los vehículos de transporte público de personas en modalidad de taxi, servicio especial estable de taxi, autobuses o busetas en ruta regular, y autobuses o busetas de servicios especiales, salvo en el servicio especial de transporte de estudiantes cuando se preste a personas menores de doce años que midan menos de 1.45 metros de estatura.

Asimismo, no estarían sujetos al cumplimiento de lo dispuesto en esta norma, los vehículos exceptuados en el inciso e) del artículo 32 de esta ley.

El Poder Ejecutivo podrá establecer restricciones a la circulación vehicular, por razones de oportunidad, de conveniencia, de interés público, regional o nacional, debidamente fundamentadas, conforme se establezca reglamentariamente. En ese caso, deberá rotular claramente las áreas y los horarios en los cuales se limitará la circulación, mediante la correspondiente señalización vertical.

Si a nombre de una misma persona física o jurídica, o de su cónyuge o conviviente, existen dos o más vehículos tipo automóvil afectados por la restricción vehicular en un mismo horario, el propietario podrá solicitar al órgano competente del MOPT, y luego de las comprobaciones del caso, que la limitación para circular de uno de ellos se traslade al día siguiente del que determina la restricción original. El órgano competente emitirá una calcomanía como distintivo de este cambio.

No estarán sujetos a esta restricción los vehículos conducidos o que transporten personas con discapacidad, cuando dichos vehículos estén debidamente autorizados, así como los vehículos con tecnologías amigables con el ambiente, las ambulancias públicas y privadas, los vehículos del Cuerpo de Bomberos, los vehículos utilizados por los cuerpos de policía públicos y el Organismo de Investigación Judicial del Poder Judicial, sin perjuicio de otros casos que se determinen reglamentariamente, previo criterio técnico que lo fundamente.

El Poder Ejecutivo podrá establecer, en todas las vías públicas nacionales o cantonales del territorio nacional, restricciones a la circulación vehicular por razones de emergencia nacional decretada previamente. La restricción de circulación vehicular se señalará vía decreto ejecutivo, indicando las áreas o zonas, días u horas y las excepciones en las cuales se aplicará. La limitación no podrá ser de carácter absoluto. El Poder Ejecutivo deberá informar de manera previa a la ciudadanía, por los medios que considere oportunos, el día, la hora y el área o las zonas en las que se aplicará la restricción vehicular, para que los ciudadanos tomen las respectivas previsiones y acaten su cumplimiento.

No estarán sujetos a esta restricción las ambulancias públicas y privadas, los vehículos del Cuerpo de Bomberos, los vehículos utilizados por los cuerpos de policía públicos, el Organismo de Investigación Judicial del Poder Judicial y vehículos de grúas y plataforma y rescate, sin perjuicio de otros casos que se determinen, vía decreto ejecutivo, con su respectiva fundamentación.

(Así adicionado por el artículo 1° de la Ley Establece la restricción vehicular en casos de emergencia nacional previamente decretada, N° 9838 del 3 de abril del 2020)

Tanto los estacionamientos públicos como privados de servicio al público están en la obligación de sujetarse a las disposiciones de la Ley N.º 7600, Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, de 2 de mayo de 1996, sus modificaciones, su reglamento y su interpretación, en lo referente a los espacios reservados específicamente para personas con discapacidad, así como mujeres embarazadas y ciudadanos de oro.

Los estacionamientos preferenciales deben estar ubicados en un lugar de fácil acceso e identificados visiblemente; asimismo, se prohíbe la colocación de obstáculos de difícil remoción que impidan el acceso al espacio preferencial. Cuando se coloquen dispositivos para identificar o resguardar estos espacios, se debe contar con personal disponible para asistir de manera inmediata en su remoción. Este personal deberá contar con la sensibilidad necesaria para evitar afectar la dignidad del usuario.

Los espacios preferenciales podrán ser ocupados, únicamente, por quienes tengan una discapacidad evidente o certificada, así como por mujeres en estado de gravidez avanzado y ciudadanos de oro. La administración del parqueo velará por que los espacios preferenciales no sean ocupados por otras personas no autorizadas. En caso de que personas no autorizadas ocupen dichos espacios, les será aplicable una multa de categoría C.

Además, la administración del estacionamiento deberá denunciar, inmediatamente, el hecho a las autoridades de tránsito y solicitar de inmediato que con el concurso de sus grúas remueva el vehículo infractor. El propietario del establecimiento que incumpla esta obligación estará sujeto a una multa equivalente a cinco veces la multa estipulada en la categoría C.

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante circular N° 220-2025 del 20 de noviembre de 2025, y publicada en el Boletín Judicial N° 223 del 26 de noviembre del 2025, se publicó la actualización de los montos de las multas de tránsito. De conformidad con la norma antes mencionada dichas multas empezarán a regir a partir del 1° de enero de 2026, por lo que a partir de esa fecha los nuevos montos serán los siguientes:

)

En las zonas urbanas de las áreas sobre la vía pública utilizadas para el estacionamiento de vehículos, se deberá reservar al menos un diez por ciento (10%) para uso exclusivo de bicimotos y motocicletas, el cual deberá estar debidamente señalizado.

Los límites de velocidad para la circulación de los vehículos serán fijados por la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito y deberán actualizarse en concordancia con las tendencias internacionales, previo estudio técnico, de acuerdo con el tipo de vía y sus condiciones. Los límites mínimos y máximos rigen desde la colocación de los rótulos o las demarcaciones que indiquen esas velocidades, los cuales deben estar instalados en las vías públicas de manera visible y apropiada.

En ausencia de señalización, los límites mínimos y máximos serán:

• a)En autopista la velocidad mínima será de cincuenta kilómetros por hora (50km/h).
• b)Donde no exista demarcación, el límite será de sesenta kilómetros por hora (60km/h); en zona urbana de alta densidad poblacional será de cincuenta kilómetros por hora (50 km/h).
• c)En pasos peatonales de vías públicas localizadas alrededor de planteles educativos con estudiantes presentes, centros de salud y donde se realicen actividades o concentraciones masivas, el límite será de veinticinco kilómetros por hora (25 km/h). Deberá estar debidamente definido y demarcado el punto de inicio y fin de dicha restricción, así como las horas y los días en que surte efecto.

Se prohíbe circular a una velocidad superior al límite máximo o inferior a la mínima establecida; para ello, el conductor deberá tomar en cuenta las condiciones de la vía y las normas de conducción.

Los vehículos de emergencia, en cumplimiento de sus funciones y debidamente identificados mediante las respectivas señales sonoras y lumínicas, estarán exentos del cumplimiento de dichos límites, salvaguardando siempre la integridad de los asistentes a esos lugares y la seguridad en carretera.

Para comprobar la velocidad que lleva un vehículo, las autoridades de tránsito podrán utilizar, indistintamente, todo equipo y/o dispositivo tecnológico disponible por la Dirección General de la Policía de Tránsito. El interesado tiene derecho a que, de inmediato, se le muestre el equipo y/o dispositivo con la medición de la velocidad y a impugnar esa medición por cualquier medio de prueba, salvo lo dispuesto para las infracciones generadas por el sistema inteligente de control de infracciones.

En el caso del sistema de vigilancia automática, deben cumplirse los requisitos establecidos en el artículo 160 de esta ley.

Los vehículos deben conducirse por el carril derecho de la vía, se exceptúan los siguientes casos:

• a)Cuando el carril derecho esté obstruido y sea necesario transitar por el carril de vía contraria.
• b)Cuando se adelante a otro vehículo que transite en la misma dirección.
• c)Cuando la vía esté diseñada o marcada para transitar en una sola dirección.
• d)Cuando por razones de conveniencia e interés público así lo disponga el MOPT.

En situaciones de emergencia, los vehículos autorizados para atender esa clase de situaciones podrán circular por el carril de sentido contrario, siempre que no estén transitando vehículos por ese carril ni se ponga en peligro a los demás usuarios de la vía.

En autopistas y vías públicas especiales de varios carriles de circulación, los vehículos que transiten más rápidamente circularán por el lado izquierdo y los que lo hagan más lentamente por el lado derecho. El conductor debe respetar y acatar las señales específicas colocadas en esas vías, para regular el uso de los carriles.

El conductor de un vehículo que circule por la vía pública debe mantener una distancia razonable y prudente que garantice la detención oportuna, en caso de que el vehículo que lo precede frene intempestivamente. Para ello, el conductor debe considerar su velocidad, las condiciones de la vía, del clima y las de su propio vehículo.

Todo conductor que reduzca la velocidad, que intente detenerse, cambiar de carril, de dirección o que estando estacionado pretenda reingresar a la vía, debe cerciorarse, antes de iniciar la maniobra, de que puede ejecutarla con seguridad. Además, está obligado a dar aviso por medio de las señales luminosas correspondientes. Esta señal no otorga derecho a realizar la maniobra, si con ello pone en peligro a los demás usuarios de la vía.

Para la utilización de las luces, deben acatarse las siguientes normas:

• a)Desde las seis de la tarde hasta las seis de la mañana, se prohíbe la circulación de los vehículos sin las luces reglamentarias encendidas. Esta disposición se aplicará igualmente a cualquier hora del día, en las ocasiones en que por razones naturales o artificiales se dificulte la visibilidad.
• b)La luz alta del vehículo se utilizará en las vías públicas, siempre y cuando no transiten vehículos en el sentido contrario.
• c)La luz baja del vehículo se utilizará en las vías públicas cuando estén transitando vehículos en el sentido contrario o cuando se transite detrás de otro vehículo.
• d)Las luces para la neblina se utilizarán, únicamente, cuando las condiciones climatológicas así lo exijan.
• e)No podrán utilizarse luces cuya potencia y proyección de luz hacia adelante, condiciones de reglaje, intensidad lumínica o cantidad excedan los límites establecidos reglamentariamente.
• f)Los vehículos automotores tipo bicimoto, motocicleta y UTV deberán mantener, durante su desplazamiento, las luces reglamentarias encendidas las veinticuatro horas del día.

Al aproximarse a una intersección de vías, en la que no se tenga prioridad de paso, el conductor procederá de la siguiente manera:

• a)Si se trata de un acceso controlado mediante la luz roja de un semáforo, el conductor detendrá su vehículo por completo en la línea de parada que esté demarcada. Si no existiera esa línea, el conductor se detendrá cerca de la vía que va a cruzar pero sin obstruir el tránsito transversal.
• b)En caso de que vaya a girar a la derecha y si el tránsito en la vía con luz verde lo permite, el conductor podrá girar como si se tratara de un cruce regulado con señal fija de alto. No obstante, la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito podrá prohibir el giro a la derecha con el semáforo en rojo en los sitios en que técnicamente se justifique, en cuyo caso colocará el señalamiento fijo que así lo indique.
• c)Después de las veintidós horas y antes de las cinco horas, si el tránsito en la vía con luz verde lo permite, el conductor podrá continuar el paso como si se tratara de un cruce regulado con señal fija de alto. No obstante, la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito podrá prohibir esta opción de paso con el semáforo en rojo en los sitios en que técnicamente se justifique, en cuyo caso colocará el señalamiento fijo que así lo indique.
• d)Cuando la luz verde del semáforo otorgue el derecho de paso o cuando se gire a la derecha en rojo, el conductor cederá el derecho de paso a todos los peatones y ciclistas que se encuentren sobre la calzada.
• e)La luz amarilla y la luz verde intermitente del semáforo indican que el conductor debe desacelerar para detenerse, si aún se encuentra lejos del punto de cruce o que, si se encuentra muy cerca del punto de cruce, debe apresurarse sin exceder los límites de la velocidad para evacuar la zona de intersección.
• f)Si se trata de un acceso controlado con una señal de "alto", el conductor detendrá el vehículo completamente en la línea de parada, aun cuando cuente con suficiente visibilidad y no circule ningún vehículo sobre la vía con prioridad de paso. Si no existe la línea de parada, se detendrá al llegar al punto más cercano de la vía que va a cruzar; para realizar tal maniobra, cederá el derecho de paso a todos los peatones que se encuentren sobre la calzada o a los vehículos que por velocidad o su cercanía circulen sobre las vías prioritarias.
• g)En las intersecciones señaladas con un "ceda", el conductor debe disminuir su velocidad de forma que pueda observar el tránsito que se aproxima por las otras vías. Si se aproxima un vehículo que por su cercanía o rapidez puede poner en peligro la seguridad del tránsito, debe detener su marcha por completo.
• h)Los vehículos de emergencia que se desplacen en respuesta a un incidente de esta naturaleza, utilizando los dispositivos de alarma correspondientes, podrán continuar la marcha en una intersección con semáforo en luz roja o con señal de alto, no sin antes verificar que no hay circulación de vehículos en las vías que se intersecan.

Tendrán prioridad de paso con respecto a los demás vehículos:

• a)Los vehículos que circulan sobre rieles.
• b)La regulación del tránsito mediante inspector.
• c)Los vehículos de emergencia autorizados, siempre que se identifiquen por medio de señales visuales y sonoras y cumplan las disposiciones legales y reglamentarias pertinentes, en tanto se desplacen en atención de una emergencia.
• d)Los vehículos que circulen sobre una carretera primaria, en relación con los que lo hagan sobre una carretera secundaria, y los que circulen sobre una carretera secundaria, en relación con los que lo hagan sobre una carretera terciaria.
• e)De manera supletoria, cuando dos conductores se acerquen por vías distintas de una intersección y no exista ninguna señal que le dé prioridad a ninguno de los dos y las dos vías sean del mismo tipo, el conductor que llegue por la izquierda debe ceder el paso al vehículo que se encuentra a su derecha.
• f)Los vehículos regulados por un semáforo, en relación con los regulados por una señal de alto.
• g)Los vehículos regulados por una señal de "ceda", en relación con los regulados por una señal de "alto".
• h)Los vehículos que giren a la izquierda desde la vía principal sobre los que se encuentren en los dos accesos secundarios en las intersecciones con dos accesos controlados con una señal fija de alto. Los vehículos que continúen directo, por los accesos secundarios, tienen prioridad sobre los que giren a la izquierda, desde esos mismos accesos.
• i)Los vehículos que continúen directo, por los accesos secundarios, tienen prioridad sobre los que giren a la izquierda, desde esos mismos accesos.

Al aproximarse a cualquier rotonda, los conductores deben proceder según las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)Dentro de una rotonda, la velocidad máxima permitida es de treinta kilómetros por hora (30 km/h).
• b)El vehículo que va a ingresar a la rotonda debe ceder el paso al que circula dentro, ingresando solo cuando se permita una maniobra segura.
• c)Para ingresar a la rotonda, cada vehículo se ubicará en el carril de acceso respectivo, según el señalamiento vertical establecido por la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito. Dicho señalamiento será normado por vía reglamentaria.
• d)No se permite cambiar de carril dentro de la rotonda, excepto en las maniobras de entrada y salida.
• e)No se permite adelantar a otro vehículo dentro de la rotonda.
• f)Si se va a abandonar la rotonda por la primera salida, el vehículo se debe ubicar en el carril externo derecho.
• g)Para abandonar la rotonda por la segunda salida, el vehículo se puede ubicar en los carriles internos.
• h)Si se va a abandonar la rotonda por la tercera salida o por otra salida posterior, el vehículo se debe ubicar en el carril interno o extremo izquierdo.

El uso de este carril se regirá bajo las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)Este carril no puede ser utilizado para la circulación ni tampoco para rebasar a otro vehículo.
• b)Los vehículos que necesiten realizar un giro izquierdo deben ubicarse dentro de este carril central y esperar un espacio adecuado para realizar la maniobra de manera segura.
• c)Para ingresar al carril central de giro a la izquierda, desde una vía lateral o una propiedad privada, se debe cruzar la calzada y refugiarse en el carril central, siempre que esta maniobra pueda ser realizada con seguridad. Para ingresar a los carriles de circulación normal, se debe verificar que no se presentan conflictos con los vehículos de la vía arterial y del carril central.
• d)Esta demarcación no permite los giros en "U".
• e)Este carril lo utilizarán los vehículos de emergencia que se desplacen en atención de algún evento de esta naturaleza, lo cual se evidenciará por la activación de los dispositivos de alarma con que cuentan dichos automotores.

La maniobra de adelantamiento de un vehículo deberá realizarse bajo las siguientes consideraciones:

• a)Utilizar los espejos retrovisores para realizar una maniobra segura, cerciorándose de que ningún vehículo detrás haya iniciado la maniobra.
• b)Asegurarse de que el lado izquierdo de la carretera es claramente visible. La circulación en sentido contrario debe encontrarse a una distancia suficiente para poder adelantar sin obstruir ni poner en peligro a los demás vehículos, incluidas las bicicletas, si las hay.
• c)Utilizar las luces direccionales reglamentarias para anunciar y realizar la maniobra, adelantando siempre por la izquierda al vehículo que marcha adelante.
• d)No adelantar a otro vehículo que se haya detenido frente a una zona de paso para peatones.
• e)Se prohíbe adelantar a otro u otros vehículos que circulen a la velocidad máxima permitida.
• f)Se prohíbe adelantar en los lugares donde el señalamiento vial lo estipule, así como en intersecciones, cruces de ferrocarril y en todas aquellas circunstancias que puedan poner en peligro la seguridad de las personas y de otros vehículos. Se exceptúan, de dicha disposición, los vehículos de emergencia que en atención de un incidente de esta naturaleza deban realizar prudentemente adelantamientos en estos sectores.
• g)Se prohíbe a los conductores de vehículos tipo bicimoto y motocicleta adelantar en medio de las filas de vehículos a una velocidad superior a veinticinco kilómetros por hora (25 Km/h). Se exceptúan de la aplicación de este inciso los oficiales de la policía de tránsito y de otros cuerpos policiales que conduzcan motocicleta en el cumplimiento de sus funciones.
• h)Se prohíbe circular en las aceras. Se exceptúan de la aplicación de este inciso los oficiales de la policía de tránsito y de otros cuerpos policiales que conduzcan motocicleta en el cumplimiento de sus funciones.
• i)Para adelantar a un ciclista se debe respetar una distancia mínima de un metro cincuenta centímetros (1,50m) entre el vehículo y la bicicleta. Para realizar dicha maniobra, se debe disminuir la velocidad, invadir parcial o totalmente el carril contrario, tal y como se hace con cualquier otro vehículo, respetando siempre la señalización vertical y horizontal, y que no venga ningún otro vehículo en sentido contrario, incluyendo peatones y ciclistas.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el inciso b) del artículo 17 de la Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, N° 9660 del 24 de febrero del 2019) El conductor de un vehículo que vaya a ser adelantado por la izquierda tomará su extrema derecha en favor del vehículo que lo adelanta y no aumentará la velocidad hasta que haya sido completamente adelantado.

Se permite a los vehículos circular en retroceso, únicamente en los casos indispensables y en los tramos cortos no mayores de cincuenta metros (50 m), siempre y cuando tomen la debida precaución.

Todo vehículo estacionado deberá mantener activado el freno de emergencia. Además, los vehículos de carga de más de dos toneladas deben calzarse con las cuñas reglamentarias. En zonas urbanas, las llantas del vehículo deben quedar a una distancia no mayor de treinta centímetros (30cm) del borde de la acera.

Se prohíbe estacionar un vehículo en las siguientes condiciones:

• a)Frente a cualquier entrada o salida de planteles educativos, hospitales, clínicas, estaciones de bomberos o Cruz Roja, estacionamientos privados o públicos y garajes. Asimismo, en locales o edificios mientras se lleven a cabo espectáculos o actividades deportivas, religiosas, sociales, siempre que se encuentren identificados para la información del público en general.
• b)En las calzadas o en las aceras, bulevares, parques, zonas verdes y en cualquier zona habilitada para la movilidad peatonal de forma que impida el libre tránsito, afecte la visibilidad o ponga en peligro la seguridad de los demás.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 21 de la ley Movilidad peatonal, N° 9976 del 9 de abril del 2021)

• c)En los lugares que así se indique expresamente o demarcados con una franja amarilla, salvo que la prohibición se limite a un horario específico.
• d)A una distancia menor de cinco metros (5 m) de un hidrante o a zonas de paso para peatones, a menos de diez metros (10 m) de una intersección de las vías urbanas o a menos de veinticinco metros (25 m) de una intersección de las vías no urbanas.
• e)En la parte superior de una pendiente o en curva.
• f)En las vías públicas, salvo por razones especiales, en cuyo caso el conductor colocará su vehículo fuera de la calzada, señalando su presencia mediante las luces de emergencia y dispositivos luminosos o retrorrefiectivos, de conformidad con esta ley y su reglamento. En caso de que no exista espaldón, el conductor deberá estacionario en el lugar más seguro.
• g)Utilizar una ciclovía, carril-bici, carril-bici protegido o acera-bici para el tránsito automotor, para estacionarse, hacer reparaciones, cargar y descargar bienes y personas o para cualquier otro uso que no sea el estipulado en las definiciones para estos dispositivos.
• h)En incumplimiento de los requisitos establecidos en el artículo 43 de la Ley N.° 7600, Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad, de 2 de mayo de 1996, y su reglamento, al estacionar en los espacios destinados a los vehículos de las personas con discapacidad. Dichos espacios reservados deben estar debidamente rotulados e indicar la ley, en caso de ser utilizados sin la identificación correspondiente.
• i)A los camiones, autobuses u otros vehículos que tengan un peso bruto mayor de dos toneladas se les prohíbe el estacionamiento en las vías urbanas y suburbanas, salvo que estén en las paradas autorizadas para tal efecto o en las zonas autorizadas de carga y descarga.
• j)En zonas de carga y descarga, salvo lo indicado en el inciso i) del artículo 114 de esta ley, para los vehículos de carga liviana o de carga pesada, siempre que permanezcan en zona autorizada el tiempo determinado por el órgano competente del Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT).

Se exceptúan los vehículos de emergencia autorizados cuando actúen en razón de sus funciones, siempre que se identifiquen por medio de señales visuales o sonoras.

El incumplimiento de las disposiciones anteriores faculta a la autoridad de tránsito para que retire el vehículo cuando no esté el conductor, u obligar a este a retirarlo, sin perjuicio de la multa respectiva.

(Así reformado por el artículo 3° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

Los vehículos de tránsito lento están sujetos a las siguientes regulaciones:

• a)Se prohíbe transitar a una velocidad tan baja que entorpezca la libre circulación del tránsito, excepto en el caso de los vehículos funerarios, los vehículos que participen en los desfiles autorizados o en los casos en que lo exijan las condiciones de las vías, el tránsito o la visibilidad.
• b)Deben ceder el paso a los vehículos más rápidos.
• c)Cuando varios vehículos de tránsito lento circulen uno detrás del otro, deben mantener suficiente espacio entre ellos. En ningún caso, esa distancia puede ser menor de cincuenta metros (50 m), para permitir a otros vehículos, que circulen a mayor velocidad, realizar la maniobra de rebase con seguridad y sin contratiempos.
• d)En vías públicas de dos carriles para ambos sentidos, en las cuales rebasar resulte inseguro debido al tránsito en la dirección opuesta o por otras condiciones, un vehículo lento, de carga o de pasajeros detrás del cual se forme una cola de tres o más vehículos debe salirse del camino en los lugares designados como apartaderos mediante el señalamiento vertical, para permitir el paso, sin contratiempos, a los vehículos que se encuentren en la fila.

Los vehículos de transporte de carga limitada se rigen por las siguientes disposiciones especiales:

• a)Únicamente podrán dedicarse a esta actividad, los vehículos de carga con un peso bruto máximo de cinco toneladas, incluyendo los vehículos de doble cabina para pasajeros.
• b)En el vehículo se permitirá, únicamente, el número de personas que indique el certificado de propiedad.
• c)El Poder Ejecutivo reglamentará la utilización de estos vehículos, incluyendo las disposiciones sobre seguros que deben cumplir y los casos en que se requiera el transporte de un número mayor de personas. En caso de una utilización indebida del permiso otorgado, el órgano competente del MOPT lo suspenderá o cancelará.

Para vehículos que presten el transporte o acarreo de vehículos mediante la modalidad grúa o plataforma autorizadas por el MOPT, rigen las siguientes disposiciones especiales:

• a)El órgano competente del MOPT emitirá los permisos para la prestación de este servicio y el código de conductor que expida deberá portarse en un lugar visible.

La autorización y regulación de tarifas serán emitidas por el MOPT con base en estudios técnicos, según el kilometraje requerido para remolcar el vehículo y demás datos que juzgue convenientes.

Las grúas no podrán hacer el recorrido en busca de vehículos para remolcar, sino que se someterán a las paradas establecidas por el órgano competente del MOPT, donde serán llamadas por los interesados en el servicio. Se prohíbe cobrar una tarifa más alta que la autorizada.

• b)Los vehículos que se dediquen a esta actividad deben portar el libro de registro, numerado y sellado por el CTP. Los datos que debe contener cada entrada en esta bitácora se regularán vía reglamento. El conductor de la grúa deberá entregarle, al conductor del vehículo remolcado, el duplicado firmado en el que consten todos los datos que ahí se estipulan; este documento hará plena prueba contra el conductor y propietario de la grúa, en caso de violación de esas disposiciones.

El libro de registro puede ser exigido en cualquier momento por las autoridades de tránsito. El no portarlo traerá, como efecto, la cancelación de la autorización dada, sin perjuicio de la multa que establece el inciso i) del artículo 145 de esta ley. Cuando el libro se complete, se entregará y archivará en el CTP, para poder retirar el siguiente.

• c)Portar las luces y los accesorios estipulados en esta ley y su reglamento. Estos accesorios solo se podrán utilizar cuando se realice el servicio de grúa.
• d)En caso de accidentes de tránsito, no podrán mover los vehículos sin la autorización previa de la autoridad competente, salvo los casos establecidos en el artículo 168 de esta ley.

Cuando estén en el cumplimiento de su actividad, deben acatar las normas que se establecen en esta ley y su reglamento para todos los vehículos.

Los conductores de vehículos de carga liviana y carga pesada deberán acatar las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)La carga debe estar bien sujeta y acondicionada.
• b)La carga no debe obstruir la visibilidad del conductor ni dificultar la conducción del vehículo.
• c)La carga debe transportarse de forma que no provoque inconvenientes por desprendimiento o que dificulte el tránsito de otros vehículos. Los conductores de carga liviana o pesada que transporten por vías nacionales o municipales piedras, arena, lastre derivados de tajos y restos de obras en construcción estarán obligados a cubrir la carga con un dispositivo adecuado para evitar desprendimiento de material.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 12° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

• d)La carga no debe ocultar las luces del vehículo ni el número de la placa.
• e)Todos los accesorios, que sirvan para acondicionar o proteger la carga, deben reunir las condiciones de seguridad reglamentarias.
• f)Cualquier carga que sobresalga de la parte trasera, delantera o lateral del vehículo, debe estar señalada con banderas rojas y con dispositivos proyectores de luz durante la noche. La carga no debe hacer contacto con la vía.
• g)La circulación de los vehículos de carga pesada, en las zonas urbanas y suburbanas, deberá apegarse al reglamento para rutas de paso emitido por el MOPT.
• h)En casos excepcionales de cargas indivisibles, se permite la circulación de los vehículos con exceso de carga o dimensiones permitidas, siempre que estos cumplan el reglamento y los permisos necesarios otorgados por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• i)Únicamente podrán cargar y descargar de conformidad con los horarios y lugares acordados por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• j)Los vehículos de más de cuatro mil kilogramos deben someterse al pesaje en las casetas destinadas para tal efecto.
• k)Los vehículos de carga pesada deberán portar la tarjeta de pesos y dimensiones, extendida por el órgano competente del MOPT, conforme se establezca reglamentariamente.

Se prohíbe la circulación, por vías públicas, de los vehículos con exceso de la carga permitida por la respectiva reglamentación, salvo lo dispuesto en el inciso h) de este artículo. Los conductores de vehículos de carga, que infrinjan esta disposición, están obligados a efectuar el trasbordo o reacomodo de la carga correspondiente, de conformidad con lo indicado en el reglamento respectivo. De no realizarse lo dispuesto en este párrafo se aplicará la multa respectiva.

Asimismo, se prohíbe la salida de los puertos a los vehículos con exceso de la carga permitida. Los conductores de vehículos que infrinjan esta disposición están obligados a descargar el exceso, de conformidad con lo que indica el reglamento respectivo. Cuando hayan recibido la carga cerrada con dispositivos de seguridad, la obligación de descargar el exceso corresponderá a los dueños o a los responsables de la carga en el país, de conformidad con el conocimiento de embarque.

Los vehículos automotores, remolques y semirremolques que transporten materiales peligrosos o explosivos deberán cumplir las normas siguientes:

• a)Contar con el documento aprobado que acredite la revisión técnica semestral.
• b)Portar un permiso dado por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• c)Someterse a los horarios, las rutas y las demás regulaciones que dicte el órgano competente del MOPT.
• d)Cumplir las disposiciones del reglamento de esta ley.

Los vehículos con altoparlantes deben acatar las siguientes regulaciones:

• a)Contar con un permiso dado por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• b)Se prohíbe poner en funcionamiento los altoparlantes de las diecinueve horas del día a las siete horas del día siguiente, salvo permiso dado por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• c)Se prohíbe poner a funcionar los altoparlantes a una distancia menor de cien metros de clínicas y hospitales, así como de centros de enseñanza e iglesias, cuando en estos lugares se estén desarrollando actividades.
• d)Cumplir todas las disposiciones de esta ley y sus reglamentos.

MOTOCICLETAS, UTV

Los conductores y pasajeros de los vehículos indicados en este capítulo deben acatar las siguientes disposiciones:

• a)Llevar un casco de seguridad de acuerdo con los requisitos estipulados en el reglamento de esta ley.
• b)Se les prohíbe llevar paquetes, bultos y objetos que limiten la libertad de movimiento al conducir el vehículo.
• c)Abstenerse de sujetarse de otro vehículo en marcha en las vías públicas.
• d)Utilizar prendas de vestir retrorreflectivas, tanto al estar el vehículo en movimiento como cuando se detengan a realizar alguna reparación en el espaldón o a la orilla de la carretera.
• e)No podrán transportar menores de cinco años como pasajeros.

El MOPT y los gobiernos locales deberán proveer las condiciones que permitan y promuevan el uso y disfrute de la bicicleta como medio de transporte, deporte, esparcimiento y recreación. Asimismo, construir ciclovías en los lugares en que se justifique técnicamente su necesidad.

El MOPT establecerá programas para:

• a)Concientizar a los conductores y ciclistas sobre su obligación de compartir la vía pública y cumplir las normas establecidas.
• b)Promover lugares adecuados para estacionar las bicicletas en edificios públicos.
• c)Incentivar a la ciudadanía a utilizar la bicicleta en las zonas para su uso exclusivo.
• d)Coadyuvar a los gobiernos locales en la habilitación de rutas a nivel cantonal, durante los días domingos y feriados, para el ejercicio del ciclismo, sin perjuicio de otras actividades físicas y recreativas que puedan desarrollarse en ellas. Una vez autorizada la ruta por el órgano competente deberá garantizarse que esta no sea utilizada por vehículos automotores, durante el tiempo que se habilite para fines recreativos.

Los ciclistas deberán:

• a)Conducir con el debido cuidado y precaución por las vías públicas.
• b)Asegurarse de que su bicicleta esté en condiciones óptimas para transitar en la vía pública.
• c)Portar documento de identificación y circular por el lado derecho del carril de la vía.
• d)En los casos en que se adelante un vehículo que circule a menor velocidad, deberá hacerse por el lado izquierdo del carril.
• e)Circular en las vías públicas cuya velocidad permitida no sea igual o mayor a ochenta kilómetros por hora (80 km/h), si existen intervenciones para la seguridad de los ciclistas como ciclovías, ciclovías segregadas o vías alternas adecuadas para su uso o en el caso de actividades especiales autorizadas por la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el inciso c) del artículo 17 de la Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, N° 9660 del 24 de febrero del 2019) f) La persona ciclista podrá circular por el centro del carril, para garantizar así su seguridad.

Las autoridades competentes podrán retirar de circulación estos artefactos y su devolución solo se hará al propietario o tercero autorizado, una vez cancelada la multa respectiva. Las personas menores de quince años deben ser acompañadas por sus padres o tutores, para el trámite.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el inciso c) del artículo 17 de la Ley de Movilidad y Seguridad Ciclística, N° 9660 del 24 de febrero del 2019) g) En una bicicleta no podrá viajar más de una persona, salvo que el vehículo esté acondicionado para ello; los pasajeros deben ser mayores de tres años. Además, ambos deberán utilizar el casco de seguridad y el chaleco, sin perjuicio de otros dispositivos de protección adicionales.

• h)No podrán circular en las aceras.
• i)Se prohíbe sujetarse de otro vehículo en marcha.
• j)Los menores de seis años de edad deben ir acompañados por personas mayores de quince años, al conducir bicicletas o triciclos en las vías públicas.
• k)Se prohíbe el aprendizaje para la conducción de bicicletas en las vías públicas.
• l)El conductor deberá utilizar prendas de vestir retrorreflectivas.
• m)Utilizar el carril exclusivo para bicicletas, siempre que haya uno disponible.

Todo peatón deberá portar documento de identidad, comportarse de forma tal que no ponga en riesgo a las demás personas, así como cumplir las normas y señales de tránsito que le sean aplicables, y obedecer las indicaciones de las autoridades de tránsito.

Los peatones están obligados a acatar las siguientes indicaciones:

• a)El tránsito peatonal por vías públicas se hará por fuera de las zonas destinadas al tránsito de vehículos.
• b)En las zonas urbanas, transitarán por las aceras y cruzarán las calles en las esquinas, las zonas de paso marcadas o los pasos peatonales a desnivel.
• c)Transitarán por el lado izquierdo de las vías públicas según la dirección de su marcha, cuando no existan aceras o espacio disponible.
• d)Se prohíbe transitar por las vías públicas de acceso restringido o sobre las vías del ferrocarril, así como realizar actos de malabarismo, circenses, mendicidad o de cualquier otra índole, incluidas las ventas o actividades lucrativas.
• e)Se prohíbe portar elementos que puedan obstaculizar o afectar el tránsito.

Se prohíbe conducir un vehículo en contravención de las normas que establece el señalamiento vial vertical u horizontal, pasar sobre las islas canalizadoras demarcadas en la calzada, así como circular por el carril izquierdo de la calzada o irrespetar la línea de barrera. Se permite virar en "U" y realizar giro a la izquierda, excepto en los lugares donde el señalamiento horizontal o vertical lo prohíba.

Asimismo, se prohíbe alterar los dispositivos y las señales oficiales para el control de tránsito, así como dañarlos, retirarlos sin autorización o darles un uso no autorizado.

No podrán circular vehículos:

• a)Que cuenten en su estructura, carrocería, llantas, aros, aditamentos o elementos punzocortantes que constituyan un ángulo vivo o una protuberancia peligrosa.
• b)Que se les haya modificado su odómetro.
• c)Que el volante esté ubicado al lado derecho.
• d)Que los parabrisas cuenten con polarizado tipo espejo o limosina, salvo polarización de fábrica que permita la visibilidad de adentro hacia afuera y viceversa del ciento por ciento (100%), o que se trate de viseras cuyas medidas serán establecidas mediante reglamento. Esta disposición no aplica para lo dispuesto por el Consejo de Transporte Público, en relación con la rotulación e información al usuario que deberán portar las unidades de transporte remunerado de personas.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 4° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

• e)Con polarizado tipo espejo o limusina en las ventanas laterales. Se exceptúan las ambulancias destinadas al transporte de pacientes y los vehículos de uso policial.
• f)Las bicicletas que no porten encendido un dispositivo proyector de luz blanca o amarilla hacia adelante, desde las seis de la tarde y hasta las seis de la mañana.
• g)De carga cuya capacidad haya sido modificada de forma tal que exceda el peso bruto especificado en la ficha técnica de su casa fabricante. A estos vehículos no se les otorgará el certificado de pesos y dimensiones emitido por el órgano competente del MOPT.
• h)Que no cuenten con el respectivo marchamo, el derecho de circulación, la IVE y el certificado de seguro obligatorio.
• i)Importados, contraviniendo lo dispuesto en el artículo 5 de la presente ley.
• j)Declarados pérdida total, conforme al artículo 157 de esta ley.

(Mediante resolución de la Sala Constitucional, N° 14253 del 6 de setiembre de 2017,se interpretó este numeral, en el sentido que la sanción ahí prevista se aplica, únicamente, al conductor que es propietario registral del vehículo.)

Se prohíbe la circulación, en las vías públicas, de los vehículos automotores modificados para aumentar sus especificaciones de fábrica, en cuanto a potencia, aceleración y velocidad máxima, o para ser utilizados en competencias de velocidad en las vías públicas.

Se prohíbe la conducción de vehículos automotores en competencias de velocidad en las vías públicas.

(Así adicionado por el artículo 1° de la Ley para regular la pérdida de la licencia como infracción de tránsito por la participación en carreras de vehículos automotores en las vías públicas, N° 10402 del 14 de noviembre de 2023)

Se prohíbe la circulación, en las vías públicas, de patinetas y otros artefactos autopropulsados o no, que no estén explícitamente autorizados en esta ley o en su reglamento.

Las autoridades competentes podrán retirar de circulación estos artefactos y su devolución solo se hará al propietario o tercero autorizado, una vez cancelada la multa respectiva. Las personas menores de quince años deben ser acompañadas por sus padres o tutores, para el trámite.

Se prohíbe fijar paradas o estacionamientos en las curvas, cerca de puentes o en sitios peligrosos para los usuarios. Asimismo, en los lugares que designe el reglamento de esta ley.

Se prohíbe a todos los conductores utilizar teléfonos móviles y cualquier otro medio o sistema de comunicación, salvo que no se empleen las manos, se utilicen auriculares o instrumentos similares. Quedan exentos de esta prohibición, las autoridades y los prestatarios de servicios de emergencia que, en el ejercicio de las funciones, deban realizar sus comunicaciones, salvo que estén acompañados de otra persona que pueda hacerse cargo de estos instrumentos.

Asimismo, se prohíbe conducir realizando actividades distintas de las que demanda la debida conducción de vehículos.

Se prohíbe a los propietarios o conductores dotar los vehículos de dispositivos de detección de ondas de radar o de cualquier otro equipo que permita burlar o anular los aparatos de vigilancia de la Policía de Tránsito.

Se prohíbe a los conductores ingresar con su vehículo a una intersección, aun con la luz verde o con derecho de vía, si debido al congestionamiento vial se obstruye la libre circulación de los demás usuarios de esta, así como detenerse sobre el señalamiento horizontal o en medio de la intersección.

Se prohíbe el uso de la bocina y de otros dispositivos sonoros, en las siguientes circunstancias:

• a)Para apresurar al conductor del vehículo precedente, en las intersecciones reguladas por semáforos, señales fijas o un inspector de tránsito.
• b)A una distancia menor de cien metros, frente a hospitales, clínicas, iglesias y centros de enseñanza, siempre que en estos últimos lugares se estén desarrollando actividades. Se exceptúan de la presente restricción los vehículos de emergencia en respuesta a un incidente de esta naturaleza.

Se prohíbe emplear un vehículo para otros fines que no sean los manifestados en su certificado de propiedad o en una forma que contraríe, totalmente, su naturaleza.

Se prohíbe clausurar, total o parcialmente, las vías públicas o usarlas para fines distintos de los de circulación de peatones o vehículos, salvo que se proceda en virtud de un permiso escrito dado con anterioridad por la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito, en el caso de la red vial nacional, o se cuente con la autorización de la municipalidad correspondiente para el uso de estos espacios, en el caso de la red vial cantonal. En caso de vías bajo la competencia municipal bastará una comunicación formal del municipio a la Dirección General de Tránsito, para su debida coordinación.

Para el caso de eventos deportivos en vías públicas terrestres, se aplicará lo establecido en ley especial. Del mismo modo, se prohíbe ocupar las vías públicas urbanas y suburbanas para:

• a)La construcción de tramos o puestos, con motivo de festejos populares, patronales o de otra índole.
• b)Ser usadas como lugar permanente de reparación de vehículos u otros menesteres que obstaculicen el libre tránsito.
• c)La construcción de obras públicas y privadas en la superficie de un derecho de vía que no reúna las condiciones mínimas de seguridad establecidas en esta ley y su reglamento. Se exceptúa de dicha disposición el cierre temporal de vía que amerite la atención de incidentes donde deban participar cuerpos de emergencia.

La Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito, previa realización de los estudios del caso, está facultada para clausurar las vías cuyo cierre se determine conveniente para los intereses públicos.

(Así reformado por el artículo 14 de la ley de comercio al aire libre, N° 10126 del 25 de enero del 2022)

Se prohíbe el abandono definitivo de cualquier vehículo automotor en la vía pública.

En caso de averías, los conductores deben aportar las medidas del caso para que se retire el vehículo en el menor plazo posible, el cual no puede ser superior a las cuarenta y ocho horas, siempre que quede fuera de la calzada y cumpla los requisitos establecidos en esta ley y su reglamento.

Transcurrido este período, si el vehículo cuenta con placas, el Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi) o la policía municipal deberá realizar el retiro de este. De no contar con sus respectivas placas, la municipalidad del cantón respectivo, en cumplimiento de la Ley 8839, Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos, de 24 de junio de 2010, previa declaración de abandono mediante proceso administrativo, podrá disponer de este.

(Así reformado por el artículo 2° de la ley Ampliación de las competencias municipales en la regulación de centros de recopilación de materiales y en la recolección de vehículos en abandono dentro de los cantones, N° 10599 del 11 de noviembre de 2024)

Se prohíbe la circulación de los vehículos automotores en las playas del país, con las siguientes excepciones:

• a)Cuando la Dirección General de Ingeniería de Tránsito lo autorice.
• b)Para sacar o meter embarcaciones al mar.
• c)En casos de emergencias o en los que se requiera una acción para proteger vidas humanas.
• d)En el caso de los vehículos que ingresen a la playa para cargar productos provenientes de la pesca o para desarrollar otras actividades laborales debidamente autorizadas por la autoridad competente, de conformidad con los fines de la zona pública, según lo establecido en la Ley N.º 6043, Ley sobre de la Zona Marítimo Terrestre, de 2 de marzo de 1977, y sus reformas.

El Sistema de Evaluación Permanente de Conductores consiste en la acumulación de puntos en función de las infracciones cometidas, con el fin de establecer un mecanismo de control de desempeño para la ejecución de medidas correctivas dirigidas a la enmienda del comportamiento y al fomento de conductas que fortalezcan la seguridad vial.

En el momento de expedirse la licencia, se le indicará a cada conductor los puntos que podrá acumular por infracciones cometidas y las consecuencias del proceso de acumulación, los cuales se establecerán de acuerdo con el rango de vigencia de la licencia, de conformidad con las disposiciones siguientes:

• a)Si la licencia se expide con una vigencia de seis años, el conductor podrá acumular un máximo de doce puntos durante este período.
• b)Si la licencia se expide con una vigencia de cuatro años, el conductor podrá acumular un máximo de ocho puntos durante este período.
• c)Si la licencia se expide con una vigencia de tres años, el conductor podrá acumular un máximo de seis puntos durante este período.

Los puntos se acumularán de forma automática en el expediente del conductor en los siguientes casos:

• a)Acumulará doce puntos el conductor condenado en sentencia firme por la comisión de los delitos tipificados en los artículos 117 y 128, 261 bis incisos b) y c) del Código Penal, Ley 4573, de 4 mayo de 1970, y sus reformas. En el caso de condena por lesiones leves, de conformidad con Io dispuesto por el artículo 125 del mismo Código, no se acumularán puntos, sin perjuicio de Io que disponga el juez penal en cuanto a la inhabilitación del conductor. La autoridad judicial correspondiente comunicará al órgano competente la firmeza de la sentencia para efectos de control, la cual se consignará en el expediente del conductor de forma automática y deberá dejarse constancia del total acumulado.
• b)Acumulará doce puntos la persona conductora que infrinja Io estipulado en el artículo 123 bis de la presente ley, una vez firme la boleta de citación.
• c)Acumulará seis puntos el conductor que haya cometido alguna de las infracciones categoría A de esta ley y quien, por irrespetar la señal de alto en el derecho de vía ferroviario, colisione contra el tren o alguno de sus vagones.
• d)Acumulará cuatro puntos el conductor que haya cometido alguna de las infracciones categoría B de esta ley.

(Así reformado por el artículo 2° de la Ley para regular la pérdida de la licencia como infracción de tránsito por la participación en carreras de vehículos automotores en las vías públicas, N° 10402 del 14 de noviembre de 2023)

La acumulación de puntos se aplicará al conductor cuando así se haya decidido en firme en vía administrativa o jurisdiccional, de conformidad con lo dispuesto en esta ley. La acumulación de puntos se consignará en el expediente del conductor de forma automática y deberá dejarse constancia del total acumulado.

En el caso de los aprendices de conductor o de aquellos que conduzcan sin estar debidamente acreditados o con la licencia suspendida, la acumulación de puntos correspondiente a la infracción será aplicada en el momento de la Si la boleta de citación que motivó la cancelación de la acreditación por la acumulación de la totalidad de los puntos permitidos no fue impugnada, el Cosevi le comunicará esa consecuencia al interesado, en la dirección electrónica vial o en el lugar que debió indicar para recibir notificaciones en el momento de haber sido levantada la boleta y que se incorporará en el tendrá recurso alguno en vía administrativa. De no haber indicado dirección y no disponer de dirección electrónica vial, se tendrá por notificado en el transcurso de veinticuatro horas después de dictada la resolución correspondiente.

El conductor que acumule parcialmente los puntos permitidos podrá descontar la mitad de los puntos asignados por cada infracción cometida, mediante el cumplimiento de horas en la prestación de trabajo comunitario y la realización de cursos de sensibilización y reeducación vial.

El Poder Ejecutivo reglamentará lo referente al trabajo comunitario y los cursos de sensibilización y reeducación vial, de conformidad con lo dispuesto en los artículos 140 y 141 de la presente ley.

La acumulación total de los puntos permitidos afectara la validez de todas las licencias de conducir del infractor, cualquiera que sea su clase y tipo.

El conductor cuya licencia haya perdido validez como consecuencia de la acumulación total de los puntos permitidos no podrá reacreditarse para conducir hasta que hayan transcurrido doce meses. Este plazo se reducirá a seis meses en el caso de que el conductor demuestre fehacientemente y por medios idóneos, ante el Cosevi, que laboralmente depende de la conducción de vehículos automotores como modo de subsistencia.

Si el conductor reacreditado acumula por segunda vez la totalidad de los puntos permitidos, no podrá obtener una nueva licencia de conducción hasta que hayan transcurrido veinticuatro meses, contados desde la firmeza de la sanción. Este plazo será de treinta y seis meses tras una tercera infracción y siguientes. Lo anterior, sin perjuicio de las sanciones conexas.

Cuando la suspensión de la licencia, por acumulación de la totalidad de los puntos permitidos, corresponda al incumplimiento de la prohibición contenida en el artículo 123 bis de la presente ley, el plazo de reacreditación de la licencia será de treinta y seis meses.

En caso de inhabilitación para conducir, declarada en sentencia penal, se ajustará a lo dispuesto por la autoridad jurisdiccional correspondiente.

La suspensión de licencia, declarada en vía administrativa, o la inhabilitación para conducir, declarada en vía judicial, se extenderá a cualquier tipo de licencia de conducir que ostente el infractor.

(Así reformado por el artículo 2° de la Ley para regular la pérdida de la licencia como infracción de tránsito por la participación en carreras de vehículos automotores en las vías públicas, N° 10402 del 14 de noviembre de 2023)

El conductor podrá reacreditarse para conducir en todos los casos anteriores, una vez que haya transcurrido el plazo de suspensión correspondiente, o bien, una vez cumplidas las horas en la prestación del trabajo comunitario, previo acatamiento de los siguientes requisitos:

• a)Un curso de sensibilización y reeducación vial.
• b)Un programa de tratamiento de adicciones para el control de consumo de alcohol, sustancias estupefacientes, psicotrópicas o drogas enervantes, si procede.
• c)Un programa para el control de conductas violentas y tratamiento psicológico, si procede.

En cada caso, la actividad por cumplir, así como su duración y su contenido serán determinados por el Cosevi, de acuerdo con la conducta del infractor.

Los cursos y programas antes indicados deberán ser impartidos por entes públicos o privados autorizados por el Cosevi. Su contenido, duración y demás requisitos se determinarán reglamentariamente.

El conductor no reincidente, cuya licencia haya perdido vigencia como consecuencia de la acumulación total de los puntos permitidos, podrá obtenerla antes del vencimiento del plazo de la suspensión, previo cumplimiento de horas en la prestación de trabajo comunitario; lo anterior, a excepción de quienes perdieron la totalidad de los puntos por participar en carreras en vías públicas, siendo que, para estos casos, se deberá cumplir con el plazo establecido en el artículo 139 para la reacreditación de la licencia, sin que pueda aplicarse ninguna medida alternativa al transcurso de plazo de suspensión.

El Poder Ejecutivo establecerá reglamentariamente las instituciones u organizaciones que podrán acreditar las horas laboradas, la cantidad de horas requeridas, según la conducta, y los mecanismos para regular el cumplimiento y demás condiciones asociadas a la aplicación de la medida.

(Así reformado por el artículo 2° de la Ley para regular la pérdida de la licencia como infracción de tránsito por la participación en carreras de vehículos automotores en las vías públicas, N° 10402 del 14 de noviembre de 2023)

El Cosevi adoptará las medidas oportunas para facilitarles a los titulares de licencias el acceso inmediato a su saldo de puntos, mediante la existencia de un expediente electrónico por cada conductor autorizado para la operación de los vehículos automotores definidos en esta ley, en el que se contabilizarán los puntos de manera precisa y actualizada sin perjuicio de las sanciones penales o civiles que puedan ser aplicables a las infracciones descritas en esta ley.

EL Cosevi, en coordinación con las entidades competentes que corresponda, establecerá un sistema ágil y eficiente que permita a los patronos de conductores profesionales enterarse oportunamente de las suspensiones de licencia, pérdida de acreditación para conducir y cantidad de puntos acumulados de estas personas. En el caso de conductores de transporte público de personas, el Cosevi coordinará con el CTP, con el fin de brindarle acceso a esta información y así garantizar la protección del interés público involucrado.

Se impondrá una multa de doscientos ochenta mil colones (¢280.000) sin perjuicio de las sanciones conexas, a quien incurra en alguna de las siguientes conductas:

• a)A quien conduzca bajo la influencia de bebidas alcohólicas en las siguientes condiciones de concentración de presencia de alcohol en sangre o aire espirado:
• i)Superior a cero coma cincuenta gramos (0,50 g) por cada litro de sangre y hasta cero coma setenta y cinco gramos (0,75 g) para cada litro de sangre, o superior a cero coma veinticinco miligramos (0,25 mg) y hasta cero coma treinta y ocho miligramos (0,38 mg) en aire espirado; en ambos supuestos para cualquier tipo de conductor.
• ii)Superior a cero coma veinte gramos (0,20 g) hasta cero coma cincuenta gramos (0,50 g) de alcohol por cada litro de sangre, o superior a cero coma diez miligramos (0,10 mg) hasta cero coma veinticinco miligramos (0,25 mg) por cada litro de sangre en aire espirado; en ambos supuestos para conductores profesionales y para aquellos conductores con licencia de conducir emitida por primera vez dentro de un plazo menor de tres años.

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante el artículo 3° de la Ley para mejorar la eficacia de la legislación en materia de control de alcohol y drogas en la conducción, N° 10860 del 27 de febrero de 2026, se reformará el inciso a) anterior De conformidad con el Transitorio III de la ley antes mencionada la misma empezará a regir doce meses después de su publicación, es decir el 28 de marzo de 2027, por lo que a partir de esa fecha dicho inciso se leerá de la siguiente manera: "a) A quien conduzca con la presencia de alcohol en el organismo por encima de los limites permitidos o bajo los efectos de drogas ilícitas o sus metabolitos psicoactivos.

En caso de encontrarse presencia de alcohol en el organismo, en la prueba de medición, se aplicarán las siguientes condiciones de concentración de presencia de alcohol en sangre o aire espirado:

• i)Superior a cero coma cincuenta gramos (0,50 g) por cada litro de sangre y hasta cero coma setenta y cinco gramos (0,75 g) para cada litro de sangre, o superior a cero coma veinticinco miligramos (0,25 mg) y hasta cero coma treinta y ocho miligramos (0,38 mg) en aire espirado; en ambos supuestos para cualquier tipo de conductor.
• ii)Superior a cero coma veinte gramos (0,20 g) hasta cero coma cincuenta gramos (0,50 g) de alcohol por cada litro de sangre, o superior a cero coma diez miligramos (O, 1O mg) hasta cero coma veinticinco miligramos (0,25 mg) por cada litro de sangre en aire espirado; en ambos supuestos para conductores profesionales y para aquellos conductores con licencia de conducir emitida por primera vez dentro de un plazo menor de tres años.

") b) Al conductor que circule en cualquier vía pública a una velocidad superior a los ciento veinte kilómetros por hora, siempre que no se trate de competencias de velocidad ilegales denominadas piques, las que se encuentran contempladas en el artículo 261 bis de la Ley 4573, Código Penal, del 4 mayo de 1970.

(Así reformado el inciso anterior por el artículo 1° de la ley N° 10943 del 12 de mayo de 2026)

• c)A quien conduzca con licencia que haya sido suspendida por infracciones a la presente ley.
• d)Al conductor que adelante en curvas, intersecciones, cruces de ferrocarril, puentes, túneles, pasos a desnivel, por el espaldón, por el costado derecho.
• e)Al conductor que invada el carril adjunto que se encuentre separado por una línea de barrera de trazo continuo, a excepción de lo establecido en el artículo 100.
• f)Al conductor que infrinja la prohibición de giro en U y giro a la izquierda en lugares donde haya señalamiento vertical y horizontal.
• g)Al conductor que se niegue a acatar el requerimiento del artículo 208 de esta ley de someterse a una prueba de alcoholimetría.

(Así adicionado el inciso anterior por el artículo 5° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante el artículo 3° de la Ley para mejorar la eficacia de la legislación en materia de control de alcohol y drogas en la conducción, N° 10860 del 27 de febrero de 2026, se reformará el inciso g) anterior De conformidad con el Transitorio III de la ley antes mencionada la misma empezará a regir doce meses después de su publicación, es decir el 28 de marzo de 2027, por lo que a partir de esa fecha dicho inciso se leerá de la siguiente manera: "g) A la persona conductora que se niegue a acatar el requerimiento del articulo 208 de esta ley de someterse a los procedimientos indicados en dicha norma, de detección de alcohol por encima de los limites permitidos o de drogas ilícitas o sus metabolitos psicoactivos en la conducción vehicular.

") h) Producir ruido o emisiones de gases, humos o partículas contaminantes que excedan los límites establecidos, de conformidad con el artículo 38 y el artículo 39 de esta ley.

(Así adicionado el inciso anterior por el artículo 5° de la ley N° 9460 del 20 de junio de 2017)

• i)Al conductor que realice maniobras con un vehículo automotor o asistido en vías públicas terrestres u opere este de forma distinta a la forma natural o técnica para hacerlo o permita que su o sus acompañantes lo hagan; acciones para las cuales no exista una sanción distinta en la presente ley.

(Así adicionado el inciso anterior por el artículo 2° de la ley N° 10943 del 12 de mayo de 2026)

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante circular N° 220-2025 del 20 de noviembre de 2025, y publicada en el Boletín Judicial N° 223 del 26 de noviembre del 2025, se publicó la actualización de los montos de las multas de tránsito. De conformidad con la norma antes mencionada dichas multas empezarán a regir a partir del 1° de enero de 2026, por lo que a partir de esa fecha los nuevos montos serán los siguientes:

Multas Categoría A

)

Se impondrá una multa de ciento ochenta y nueve mil colones (¢189.000), sin perjuicio de las sanciones conexas, a quien incurra en alguna de las siguientes conductas:

• a)Al conductor que permita que personas menores de doce años que midan menos de 1.45 metros de estatura no utilicen dispositivos especiales de seguridad.
• b)A quien conduzca un vehículo de transporte de materiales peligrosos, infringiendo las disposiciones del artículo 115 de la presente ley.
• c)Al conductor de vehículos tipo motocicleta y bicimoto que permita que personas menores de cinco años de edad viajen como acompañantes en esos automotores, infringiendo el inciso e) del artículo 117 de esta ley.
• d)Al conductor que irrespete la señal de alto en una intersección.
• e)Al conductor que irrespete la señal de alto de la luz roja de un semáforo, salvo las excepciones contempladas en el artículo 104 de esta ley.
• f)Al conductor que circule un vehículo con placas que registralmente pertenezcan a otro vehículo, o con placas alteradas o falsas.
• g)Al conductor que circule a más de cuarenta kilómetros por hora (40 km/h) sobre el límite máximo establecido, salvo que exista una sanción superior.
• h)Al conductor que por irrespetar la señal de alto, en el derecho de vía ferroviario, dañe de cualquier forma los dispositivos colocados como sistema de alerta y prevención ante el paso del tren.

(Así adicionado el inciso anterior por el artículo 3° de la ley N° 9680 del 22 de abril del 2019)

(Nota de Sinalevi: Mediante circular N° 220-2025 del 20 de noviembre de 2025, y publicada en el Boletín Judicial N° 223 del 26 de noviembre del 2025, se publicó la actualización de los montos de las multas de tránsito. De conformidad con la norma antes mencionada dichas multas empezarán a regir a partir del 1° de enero de 2026, por lo que a partir de esa fecha los nuevos montos serán los siguientes:

Multas Categoría B

)

Se impondrá una multa de noventa y cuatro mil colones (¢94.000), sin perjuicio de las sanciones conexas, a quien incurra en alguna de las siguientes conductas: