Costa Rica on a UK Licence — No IDP Needed, but You Switch to the Right

Costa Rica is one of the easier Central American countries to self-drive, and for a British visitor the paperwork barely registers. The driving itself, on the other hand, asks for patience — this is a country of short distances and long journeys.

The verdict: no IDP needed

A British licence holder can drive in Costa Rica on their UK licence for up to 90 days, and an International Driving Permit is not required — one of the few destinations where you can leave that particular worry at home. Carry your UK licence and passport, and read your rental agreement closely, since the hire company sets its own conditions on age, deposit and insurance. If you want to double-check the licence position for your trip, the Driving Permit Checker confirms it.

The first real change: driving on the right

The UK drives on the left; Costa Rica drives on the right. This is the adjustment most likely to catch you out, and the danger window is the first day — joining a roundabout flowing the other way, pulling out of a fuel stop, or an instinctive glance the wrong way at a junction. Take your first hour somewhere quiet rather than in San José traffic.

Roads slower than the map suggests

The speed limits look low for a reason: towns are 40 km/h and rural roads 60, with faster routes at 100. Off the main highways you meet narrow lanes, single-lane bridges that take turns, potholes and gravel sections, often through stunning but demanding mountain scenery. A journey that looks like an hour can take far longer. The alcohol limit is 0.05, below the UK’s 0.08.

The car must carry a warning triangle and reflective vest — a missing one can cost around CRC 53,000 (≈ €95) at a check. Fuel is roughly $1.28/litre, and the emergency number is 911.

For the full breakdown see our Costa Rica driving guide, and work out any speeding penalty with the Speeding Fine Calculator.