www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Well gents, I remember the discussion about getting a Drivers License in CR recently. I did not feel like searching for the location where I saw it but decided to post my findings here.

Get to the MOPT bldg. when it opens at 8:00 a.m. bring lunch and dinner it could be an all day affair.

1. Get in line, once you get to the guard at the entrance,tell them what you want to do, they will direct you. What you will need is one copy of your passport (photo and information/color photo is best ) one copy of your passport entry stamp for CR and one copy of your drivers license back and front.Procedures seem to vary depending on how the wind blows that day but basically the same. Best to check and let them direct you.

2. Get the medical exam,there is a clinic to the left of the MOPT bldg. if you are facing the main entrance. It is to the left of the BNCR (bank) about one block or so up on the same side as the bank.Get inside register, pay the fee........15k for exam and blood typing. Blood draw takes about a minute then you wait for the results which take about 15 minutes. Eam takes about 5 mins,eye chart,ask a few questions,take your blood pressure.They will give you a certificate with your blood type, used if you will be an organ donor. I just needed to know my type, no donor for me. I work in the medical environment and have seen some decisions made on care (lack of care) because the person was an organ donor.

3. Go back to MOPT...get in line...when you get to the guard show your medical results etc. Next step take a number and get in line...this time inside. You will now see one of the workers that will take your exam results, passport,DL copies and log you into the system.

4. Go to BNCR up the street that you passed earlier enroute to the medical clinic. Inside you pay 4k..get receipt and head back to MOPT. Get in line....when you get to the guard show him your BNCR receipt....you will then sit in the chairs and wait to get your photo taken. The guard will tell you if you go straight to the chairs or if you have to take a number and wait for your number to be called. There was much confusion and redirecting of lines etc. so always check with the guard.

After your photo is taken, you wait about 10 minutes, receive your DL, sign the log and run for the door.

Was it worth it..........I asked myself this question....having the DL does have it's benefits...I think?

Mistakes I made:

1. Did not copy both sides of my U.S. Drivers License,side two of mine is a bar code but they want it. There is a a store to the left of the MOPT bldg. as you exit. Walk past the ATM machine,make a left at the next driveway. You will see a green ramp off to your right leading to some stores. Inside they will make copies for you. If you are lucky,you may find an employee that will take the time to make copies for you(at MOPT) but don't count on it.

2. I Left the first day after paying the fee at BNCR thinking I could come back the next day and p/u the CR DL. Need to do it all in one day to avoid difficulty. I just got tired of all the lines and BS. If you do decide to bail and come back another day, be sure you stay until you pay the fee at BNCR. If you decide to come back the next day to p/u your DL you will have to get authorization to do so. To do this you will go to an office to the left of the entrance for the DL services location, on the first floor you will see a door with "Tecnologica" on it. Enter here proceed through the door that says employees only. Inside there is a receptionist that will assist you. If you don't speak spanish there is a heavy set black woman that speaks perfect english that will help. They will update your information in the computer system and assign you a new receipt number. After this is complete, back to the MOPT office for your photo and p/u the DL.

Others may have items to add etc. but this is what I experienced two days ago.

THIS MISSION MR.PHELPS IF YOU DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT WILL TEST YOUR ABILITY TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF DISORGANIZATION....

Enjoy!!

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Hello..room service? Could you send up some (!) please!

Nandout,
How long is your CR Driver License good for ? 2 years ?

I got mine in 2006, but it was only good for 2 years, and it expired in 2008. When I renewed it in April '08, the new one is good for 5 years, until April 2013.

The renewal process was the same as the original. When I renewed, I had a wingman with me who was getting his original CR license. The only difference - was that when I renewed, I didn't need copies of Florida DL. They just used the original CR license and issued the renewal.

MG

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

I think that answer my question MG.. I have a CR license now but my one in the States has expired.... So you don't have to have a valid US license to renew your one in CR?

The first CR license is valid for 2 years. Renewals are for 5 years. The only time you need a valid states license is for the original issue after that your CR license is needed.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

The license I just received is good for 2 years. I'am not sure the term of renewals but it appears to be 5 years?

Enjoy!

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Hello..room service? Could you send up some (!) please!

.........................


I'm pretty sure that ID is correct here. As I mentioned - I've only renewed my CR license once, but they never asked to see my valid Florida license.

MG

_________________
You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

Other than for those who now live in CR, Is there a good reason to get a CR license? Any benefits?
Thanks

Weird thing happened to a friend of mine in the States. He is from Georgia... He got stopped or something... And I don't remember how it came up that he had a CR license and a Georgia license... The officer said you can't have two different licenses, which doesn't make sense if it is from a different country...... Anyhow, he had to give the officer one so he gave up the CR one. I told him that they had no right to do that but I'm no lawyer...

Foos A CR drivers license is a nice thing to have kind of a cool memento of you trip.Should you have the time to get one. I have this on my to do list of non gutch activities. It may be a pain but it will give great insite to the real Costa Rica

Thanks

It also gives you the tico rate at the golf course..

Cujo

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"Pain is the fuel that fans the flames of my pyre. A battle plan is only as good as the general carrying it out on the field. This is my war son, and I have the biggest bombs and the smallest conscience"...

Here's something new in today's paper that's relevant to this thread:

Blood type is required for driving licence renewal
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Transport officials say they will reject driver license applicants whose medical report does not include their blood type and a statement whether or not they would donate body organs upon death. The medical report, called a dictamen, is filed out by a private doctor. Frequently the doctor is in an office near the licencing facility. Some doctors have been leaving the spaces blank, causing officials to reject renewal applicants, they said. The examining doctor usually will need a report from a private lab saying the blood type, although some will take the word of the applicant.

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!