Foreigners must be legal residents to drive after 90 days in Costa Rica

The law has recently changed, and provides a quandary for prospective Residents. The problem is in the timing, as it takes a year or more to obtain legal residency, but the traffic law allows only 90 days to drive on a visitor?s visa.

This unintended consequence of new the legislation leaves an entire class of foreigners, who in their zeal to become legal residents, abide by the laws of the country, are now being forced to either drive illegally (beyond their 90 days) or leave the country, thus becoming ?perpetual? tourists, a condition the Direcci?n General de Migraci?n y Extranjer?a (immigration service) has been attempting to eradicate.

In practical terms, if the foreigners want to continue to drive legally, he or she is faced with the burden of added costs of living, leaving the country every 90 days and an interruption to their life in paradise.

If one chooses not to do the travel thing, the exposure is a fine of ?280.000 colones (US$565 dollars) and six (6) points on a yet unreceived license. For each occurrence.

As a result some are having second thoughts!

More Here (Costa Rica Star)

Source: http://www.gringos.com/forum/f149/foreigners-must-legal-residents-drive-after-90-days-costa-rica-14746/

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