... Inspection of Vehicles ...
by David Garrett for the ARCR

It seems that in Costa Rica we are having our vehicles inspected all the time. And we are! In fact, three Government entities want to periodically inspect our vehicles;

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH

They issue the yearly "Green Sticker" to those vehicles which pollute within authorized limits. There are 100 or so auto mechanic shops authorized to inspect cars and issue the stickers. Inspection is supposed to be done in the month corresponding to the last digit of the license number of the vehicle, but this is rarely enforced or observed. But if you get pulled over for a traffic violation, lack of the Green Sticker may aggravate the situation. So it is good to have it.

The banks operated by the Costa Rican Government include Banco Nacional, Banco Costa Rica, and Banco Credito Agricola. All money in these banks is guaranteed. These banks also have locations all over the country from which you can access your funds, however line-ups can be long.

2. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

They issue the yearly "Marchamo" (windshield sticker) when we pay our vehicle road tax every December. Article 19 of the Transit Law says a marchamo will be issued to vehicles which pass an inspection proving that they are in good, safe mechanical condition. The law goes on to say that cars less than five years old must be inspected every two years, and those over five, every year, for the marchamo to be issued. But, this article of law has never been enforced. As the MOPT has not delegated or privatized the inspection and it now recognizes the inadequacy of the only facility in the Metropolitan Area to do the inspections (located in the Northwest corner of the Sabana Park) what they have been doing is inspecting vehicles ten or more years old, and inspecting cars one year, pickups the next, and sundry other vehicles the following. It's the turn for cars in 1999, and they have followed the criterion of the last digit of the license number to spread out the inspections over the different months of the year. If the 10+ year old cars don't have proof of inspection, payment of the Marchamo is impossible. And, if you don't have a Marchamo sticker on your window, you risk being pulled over and fined.

3.INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SEGUROS

The National insurance company (INS) inspection focuses on the appearance of the car - dings, bashes, scratches, rust, broken lights, cracked glass, etc. are noted. Vehicles must be inspected; a. when applying for new insurance. b. when increasing coverage. c. on the anniversary of the policy when the vehicle is 10 years old. d. on the anniversary of the policy when the vehicle is 15 or more years old. If the insurance policy is for liability, (PL & PD) only, the INS inspection can be performed by insurance agents. If the policy includes Direct Damage Coverage (such as collision, fire, theft, etc.) the inspection must be performed by an auto body shop specifically authorized for this by the INS, and they take 4 pictures of the car, front, back & sides. For the service they charge ¢2000. Most insurance agencies worth their salt can put you in touch with INS body shops which, for no extra charge, will do the inspection at a mutually convenient location. If you have an older vehicle falling into categories c or d above, INS will only accept payment of the renewal of the insurance policy if you attach proof of inspection.