Do you need an International Driving Permit in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is not a party to either the 1968 Vienna or the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Check the rules with the local authorities before you drive.
Costa Rica and the road traffic conventions
| Convention | Status | In force since | Permit validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Vienna Convention | Not a party | — | — |
| 1949 Geneva Convention | Not a party | — | — |
What to carry when you drive in Costa Rica
An International Driving Permit never replaces your national licence. It is a standardised translation that local police and rental desks can read, and it is only valid alongside the licence it was issued against. Carry both, and keep your passport handy at rental pickup, since most rental companies ask to see all three before releasing a vehicle.
Our document reproduces your licence details across 12 languages in the booklet format the conventions describe, so an officer who reads none of them in your alphabet can still find your name, date of birth and vehicle classes:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Italian
- German
- Russian
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Thai
- Vietnamese
What the road rules say in Costa Rica
The UK Foreign Office and the Government of Canada both advise that a foreign national licence is accepted for a limited period in Costa Rica, for stays of up to 180 days.
- Emergency services
- general 911, police 911, ambulance 911, fire 911
Common questions about driving in Costa Rica
Driving in Costa Rica?
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- Convention on Road Traffic (Vienna, 8 November 1968) United Nations Treaty Collection, 91 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.
- Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 19 September 1949) United Nations Treaty Collection, 103 parties. Checked 4 August 2026.