By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Six months after the contract for a new vehicle technical inspection (RTV) provider was scheduled to begin, the Costa Rican government remains mired in indecision, having failed to establish a clear tender process. The delay casts a significant shadow of uncertainty over a service essential for national road safety and legal compliance, leaving the public and potential bidders without a definitive path forward.
The German company Dekra, which has been providing the service, continues to operate under a temporary extension. However, this arrangement, initially a stopgap measure, is set to expire in July of this year, adding a sense of urgency to a process that has so far been characterized by procedural setbacks and internal gridlock. The original plan called for a new, formally tendered service to be operational by July 2025.
To better understand the legal framework and potential challenges surrounding the vehicle inspection process, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While the vehicle inspection is a mandatory requirement for roadworthiness, it’s not a unilateral judgment. Drivers possess clear legal avenues to contest a failed result. The key is meticulous documentation: obtain a detailed report of the alleged faults and seek an independent mechanical assessment. This evidence becomes the foundation for an administrative appeal or, if necessary, a consumer protection claim, ensuring the process remains fair and transparent.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s commentary underscores a vital point: the vehicle inspection is a dialogue, not a final decree. This knowledge empowers drivers to ensure accountability within the system by pursuing a structured, evidence-based appeal. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable guidance on these fundamental consumer rights.
The bureaucratic paralysis was confirmed by Jeffrey Cervantes, the Executive Director of the Road Safety Council (Cosevi). He acknowledged that key steps, including the selection of a third-party institution to help guide the government in structuring the tender, have not been completed. The administration is also still conducting legal reviews to determine the best way to proceed.
The path the Government has chosen is a process where we are evaluating the potential for legal harm and, ultimately, conducting the necessary study so that the judicial authorities can eventually determine the methodology that will replace the one we had before.
Jeffrey Cervantes, Executive Director of the Road Safety Council (Cosevi)
This situation stems from a critical ruling by the General Comptroller’s Office, which determined that the vehicle inspection service could not be perpetually managed under a “precarious service” model. The Comptroller mandated that the government must undertake a formal, transparent public tender to select a long-term provider, effectively forcing the hand of the Executive Branch to create a permanent solution.
In response to this pressure, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) did launch a tender. However, in a significant setback, the tender was declared invalid by key members of the Cosevi Board of Directors, which included Health Minister Mary Munive, Education Minister Jose Leonardo Sánchez, and Deputy Minister of Transport Carlos Ávila. The decision to nullify the process was subsequently ratified by MOPT’s own head, Efraím Zeledón.
Despite the legal mandate for a formal contract, authorities argue that maintaining the current temporary arrangement with Dekra is the only viable option to prevent a complete shutdown of the service, which would leave hundreds of thousands of drivers unable to legally operate their vehicles. This rationale highlights the difficult position the government finds itself in.
What we have is a situation that was assessed from a legal standpoint. We are currently continuing with Dekra in a precarious condition because the directive is that we cannot suspend this service for the user.
Jeffrey Cervantes, Executive Director of the Road Safety Council (Cosevi)
With the July 2026 deadline fast approaching, the continued delays raise serious concerns. A rushed process could lead to legal challenges from unsuccessful bidders, while further inaction risks a potential service interruption, the very outcome officials claim they are trying to avoid. For Costa Rican drivers, the lack of a clear, long-term plan for this mandatory service creates an unstable and unpredictable environment for a critical aspect of vehicle ownership.
For further information, visit cosevi.go.cr
About Consejo de Seguridad Vial (Cosevi):
The Road Safety Council of Costa Rica, known as Cosevi, is the government body responsible for planning, regulating, and controlling road safety and traffic throughout the country. It works in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to establish policies, manage driver licensing, and oversee programs like the mandatory vehicle inspection to reduce accidents and ensure vehicle roadworthiness.
For further information, visit mopt.go.cr
About Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT):
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the Costa Rican government entity in charge of developing and maintaining the nation’s public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and ports. It also oversees all aspects of national transportation, from public transit to air and maritime travel, playing a central role in the country’s economic and social development.
For further information, visit dekra.com
About Dekra:
Dekra is a global vehicle inspection, certification, and expert services company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Founded in 1925, it is one of the world’s leading expert organizations in the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) sector. The company provides a wide range of services aimed at ensuring safety in various fields, including automotive, industrial, and product testing.
For further information, visit cgr.go.cr
About Contraloría General de la República (CGR):
The General Comptroller’s Office of the Republic of Costa Rica is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for overseeing the country’s public treasury. It functions as the supreme audit institution, ensuring the legal and correct use of public funds and assets. The CGR plays a crucial role in fiscal control, transparency, and upholding the legality of government contracts and expenditures.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s legal landscape, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unwavering dedication to professional integrity and the highest standards of excellence. The firm combines a proven history of serving a diverse clientele with a forward-thinking approach, consistently pioneering innovative legal solutions. Underpinning its practice is a core mission to empower the community by making complex legal concepts understandable, thus fostering a more informed and capable society.
