Dekra appointment in Costa Rica: your month, fees & how to pass
Dekra (formerly Riteve) runs Costa Rica's mandatory vehicle technical inspection (RTV). Your month depends on the last digit of your plate, and you can go one month early. In 2025, 36.2% of periodic inspections failed on the first attempt, so a quick pre-check pays off.
Last checked 2026-10-24. Unofficial guide.
Which month is my inspection?
Schedule for private vehicles
| Plate ends in | Month |
|---|---|
| 1 | January |
| 2 | February |
| 3 | March |
| 4 | April |
| 5 | May |
| 6 | June |
| 7 | July |
| 8 | August |
| 9 | September |
| 0 | October |
Public transport and hazardous-goods vehicles go twice a year: 1 & 6 Jan/Jul; 2 & 7 Feb/Aug; 3 & 8 Mar/Sep; 4 & 9 Apr/Oct; 5 & 0 May/Nov.
Dekra Costa Rica prices (from October 29, 2026)
New fees apply from October 29, 2026 (ARESEP resolution RE-0131-IT-2026). For a car under 3.5 t: inspection ₡6,077 + VAT = ₡6,867; reinspection ₡4,745 + VAT = ₡5,362.
| Vehicle | Inspection | Reinspection |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle under 3.5 t (cars, SUVs, pick-ups) | ₡6,077 + IVA = ₡6,867 | ₡4,745 + IVA = ₡5,362 |
| Vehicle over 3.5 t | ₡7,271 + IVA = ₡8,216 | ₡5,117 + IVA = ₡5,782 |
| Motorcycle | ₡4,628 + IVA = ₡5,230 | ₡3,942 + IVA = ₡4,454 |
| Electric / historic vehicle | ₡4,765 + IVA = ₡5,384 | ₡3,919 + IVA = ₡4,428 |
| Taxi | ₡7,291 + IVA = ₡8,239 | ₡5,254 + IVA = ₡5,937 |
Totals with 13% VAT are our own calculation, rounded to the colón. For cash payments Dekra rounds down to the nearest ₡10. You pay at the station on the day (cash or card). The previous car fee was ₡6,012 + VAT. Source: dekra.cr/es/tarifas.
How to book a Dekra appointment
- Book at booking.dekra.com (Spanish) or call 4000-1100.
- Have ready: your plate (or the DUA number if the car is being registered), vehicle type, preferred station, date and time, email and phone.
- To change or cancel, use the link in your confirmation email (two changes maximum).
- Be on time: there's a 15-minute grace period, after which you must rebook.
What to bring
According to Dekra, all you need to show is a valid driver's licence for that type of vehicle, plus a way to pay.
Pre-check list
In 2025, 36.2% of periodic inspections were rejected on the first attempt (36.5% of cars). The most common reasons:
- Emissions: engine tuned, no visible smoke, no check-engine light (the #1 reason cars fail).
- Tyres: enough tread depth and no damage.
- Brakes: even braking left and right (imbalance is a common fail) and a working handbrake.
- Front-axle alignment.
- Exhaust: no leaks or loose parts.
- Lights: all working, with headlights correctly aimed.
- Suspension and steering: no play in ball joints, tie-rod ends or bushings.
- A valid driver's licence for that vehicle type.
Reinspection
If your vehicle had only one serious defect, you have up to one month from the first inspection to come back for a reinspection, which checks only that item (₡4,745 + VAT for cars). With more than one serious defect you need a full inspection at the normal price. Either way you need a new appointment. More than 85% of reinspections pass.
Dekra stations in Guanacaste: Liberia, Nicoya, Cañas
- Liberia: Interamericana Norte highway, 2 km south of Liberia, opposite Hotel Espuelas.
- Nicoya: Calle 1B, 100 m north and 125 m west of the Coca-Cola depot (Route 21).
- Cañas: Interamericana Norte (Route 1), 5 km south of central Cañas.
There is no fixed station in Santa Cruz. From Tamarindo, Flamingo or Santa Cruz most people go to Nicoya or Liberia. Dekra also runs mobile units; check each station's page on dekra.cr for current hours.
Wheels Down Concierge can handle your Dekra inspection
Our partner Wheels Down Concierge books the appointment and drives your car to the station, in Guanacaste.
Dekra run with pre-check
from $120
They book your Dekra appointment, pre-check the car and drive it there.
Reinspection trip
from $60
If it needs to go back, they coordinate the fix and the reinspection.
Wheels Down Concierge service prices. Dekra fees and any repairs are extra. Want marchamo + Dekra handled all year? See the Annual Car Compliance Plan in the marchamo guide.
Request help Email WhatsAppRequest help from Wheels Down Concierge
Tell us what you need. Wheels Down Concierge will reply by email (or WhatsApp if you add a number), usually within one business day. Asking costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Prefer email? Write to hola@wheelsdownconciergecr.com.
Free reminders: marchamo & Dekra
We'll remind you once a year before your Dekra month and before marchamo collection opens. We only ask for the minimum: your plate's last digit and one way to reach you.
Privacy: we handle your data under Costa Rica's Law 8968. We use the digit and your contact only for these reminders and never sell them. Details and your rights are in the Privacy Policy.
FAQ
How do I book a Dekra appointment in Costa Rica?
Use Dekra's booking site (booking.dekra.com) or call 4000-1100. You need the plate (or DUA number for a vehicle being registered), vehicle type, station, date and time, email and phone.
How much does the Dekra inspection cost?
From October 29, 2026, a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes costs ₡6,077 + 13% VAT (₡6,867). A reinspection costs ₡4,745 + VAT (₡5,362).
Which month is my inspection?
For private vehicles it depends on the last digit of the plate: 1 = January, 2 = February … 9 = September, 0 = October. You may go one month early.
Is Riteve the same as Dekra?
Dekra is the company that now runs Costa Rica's vehicle technical inspection (RTV); it was formerly run by Riteve, and many people still call it Riteve.
What happens if my car fails?
With only one serious defect you have up to one month for a reinspection, which checks just that item. With more than one serious defect you need a full inspection at the normal price. Either way you must book an appointment.
Is there a Dekra station in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste?
No fixed station. The fixed Guanacaste stations are Liberia, Nicoya and Cañas.
Related guides
Sources
- Fees: dekra.cr/es/tarifas
- Schedule, booking, requirements, reinspection: dekra.cr FAQ; appointment policy
- 2025 fail rate & causes: El Observador (COSEVI report)
- Stations: Liberia, Nicoya, Cañas