Road safety education is established as mandatory as a subject in the Costa Rican educational system, which shall be funded 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 in an integral manner as a component for the development of a respectful and responsible coexistence among pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and drivers, for the purposes of:
- a)Promoting spaces for coexistence and harmony among individuals, both in their role as pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, and drivers.
- b)Encouraging the exercise of good road safety practices, for pedestrians, cyclists, passengers, drivers, and other means of active mobility (movilidad activa).
- c)Raising awareness and sensitizing about the needs of all persons regarding road safety and, in particular, the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
- d)Promoting and raising awareness about the principles of safe mobility, such as the inverted mobility pyramid and traffic calming.
It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Education (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 General Directorate of Road Safety Education and the Road Safety Council (COSEVI) shall provide the necessary collaboration to the teaching staff of the Ministry of Public Education, regarding training and advice on road safety matters and all components of said system.
For students who have completed full secondary education studies and have passed the road safety education subject, it shall suffice to provide the respective certification of their secondary education diploma, and passing the theoretical exam conducted by the General Directorate of Road Safety Education shall not be necessary.
This course shall be adapted to be taught as a mandatory requirement for driver re-accreditation, as stipulated in Article 140 of Law No. 9078, Law on Transit on Public Land Roads and Road Safety, of October 4, 2012.