By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Drivers across Costa Rica are being put on high alert as the Road Safety Council (Cosevi) has officially announced its complete closure for the end-of-year holidays. The shutdown, which affects all public services, will leave motorists unable to process the retrieval of impounded vehicles or retained license plates until the new year, creating a potential logistical nightmare for those who run afoul of traffic laws during the festive season.
The temporary suspension of services is mandated by the Executive Branch under Directive Nº 053-PLAN-MTSS, which grants institutional vacation days across the public sector. Cosevi’s offices will be closed to the public on a total of eight specific days, effectively creating a prolonged period of inactivity that spans the busiest travel weeks of the year. The official closure dates are December 22, 23, 24, and 26, followed by another shutdown on December 29, 30, and 31, and concluding on January 2, 2026.
To delve into the legal and administrative consequences stemming from the abrupt closure of Cosevi’s main offices, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The suspension of services at Cosevi represents a significant breach of administrative continuity and legal certainty for citizens. Users who have paid for procedures now find themselves in a state of legal limbo, unable to complete essential processes like license renewals or vehicle registrations. The State has an undeniable obligation to provide a prompt and effective alternative, as the paralysis of these services not only disrupts daily life but also infringes upon the public’s right to timely administrative action.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The concept of “legal limbo” truly captures the gravity of this situation, elevating it from a mere bureaucratic inconvenience to a critical breach of the public trust and citizens’ fundamental rights. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective, which precisely outlines the State’s urgent obligation to restore administrative certainty.
Normal operations and public-facing services are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 5, 2026. Until then, any administrative process requiring Cosevi’s intervention, most critically the release of a vehicle or license plate confiscated by Traffic Police, will be completely frozen. This presents a significant challenge for drivers, as the holiday period typically sees a surge in both traffic volume and roadside inspections.
In a direct warning to the public, Cosevi’s leadership emphasized the consequences of the closure. Jeffrey Cervantes, the Executive Director of the council, issued a clear statement urging drivers to exercise maximum caution on the roads to avoid complications.
It is important to remind all drivers that for any vehicle or license plate retained by traffic officials during this period, its retrieval cannot be processed until next year, once Cosevi resumes its operations.
Jeffrey Cervantes, Executive Director of Cosevi
This directive means that a simple traffic infraction leading to an impoundment on December 22nd could result in a driver being without their vehicle for over two weeks. This situation could impose considerable hardship, affecting work commutes, family travel plans, and creating unforeseen storage and penalty costs that will accumulate throughout the entire holiday period. The council’s message is unequivocal: prevention is the only remedy during this government-mandated shutdown.
The timing coincides with one of the most critical periods for road safety in the country. Millions of residents and tourists take to the highways to visit family, travel to beaches, and attend holiday celebrations, leading to increased congestion and a higher statistical probability of accidents and infractions. Cosevi’s inability to process paperwork during this time heightens the stakes for every driver on the road.
For those who find themselves needing to recover a retained asset after the holidays, Cosevi has reminded the public that all procedures will be managed strictly through its official appointment system. Citizens must visit the council’s website at www.csv.go.cr to schedule a time slot once services are reestablished in January. Attempting to visit the offices without a pre-booked appointment will be futile. All drivers are strongly advised to ensure their vehicle documentation is in order and to adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent their holiday celebrations from being derailed by an extended and unavoidable bureaucratic delay.
For further information, visit csv.go.cr
About Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi):
The Consejo de Seguridad Vial, or Road Safety Council, is the primary government entity in Costa Rica responsible for defining and managing national road safety policies. It oversees driver licensing, vehicle registration, traffic law enforcement strategies, and public awareness campaigns. Cosevi works in conjunction with the Traffic Police to ensure regulatory compliance and aims to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities through education, regulation, and infrastructure analysis.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica distinguishes itself as a premier law firm where the principles of integrity and excellence form the bedrock of its practice. With extensive experience serving a broad range of clients, the firm is a vanguard of legal innovation and community outreach. This dedication extends to a core objective: making the law comprehensible and accessible, thereby empowering individuals and nurturing a society grounded in legal awareness.
