E-scooter, e-bike and PEV laws in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, e-scooters are not allowed on public roads.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change often; confirm with the local transport authority before riding.
Last researched Oct 12, 2026 · values compiled from published secondary sources; none were checked against the text of a law.
- E-scooters: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- E-bikes: Based on published secondary sourcesThe sources are listed below; values were not checked against the text of the law.
- Other PEVs: Not confirmedThe values here were not taken from a source we read, so we do not show them.
E-scooters
Stand-up electric kick scootersBased on published secondary sources| Status | Prohibited — No lawful use on public roads.1 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | — |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Weight limit | — |
| Minimum age | — |
| Helmet | — |
| Where you can ride | Banned on roads and sidewalks ('artefactos autopropulsados', Art. 124 Ley 9078)1 |
| Licence & registration | — |
| Insurance | — |
| Plate / sticker | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | Confiscation + approx. CRC 26,000 fine1 |
| Notes | Ley 10834 (published 19 Dec 2025) adds an active-mobility category from 20 Dec 2026; whether e-scooters fit is unclear pending COSEVI rules.1 |
"Unconfirmed" = the source of that value was not recorded, or part of it was not taken from a source; "Not confirmed" = we have no sourced value, so none is shown. Footnote numbers point to the source list below.
Is this information correct for Costa Rica?
E-bikes
Pedelecs, speed pedelecs and throttle e-bikesBased on published secondary sources| Status | Legal — Allowed under a specific framework.1 |
|---|---|
| Max speed | Bicimotos: 25 km/h1 |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Minimum age | — |
| Helmet | Bicimotos: mandatory1 |
| Where you can ride | Bicimotos: not on bike lanes or sidewalks1 |
| Licence & registration | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | — |
| Notes | Electric 'bicimotos' legalised by a 2025 reform (approx. Apr 2025).1 |
Other PEVs
Hoverboards, electric unicycles, e-skateboards, SegwaysNot confirmed| Status | Not confirmed |
|---|---|
| Max speed | — |
| Power & device limits | — |
| Minimum age | — |
| Helmet | — |
| Where you can ride | Not confirmed |
| Licence & registration | — |
| Penalties & alcohol | — |
| Notes | Not confirmed |
What changed
- Dec 20, 2026Not yet in force (as of Oct 12, 2026)Ley 10834 active-mobility category takes effect
- Apr 2025In forcebicimoto reform
Frequently asked questions
- Are electric scooters legal in Costa Rica?
- Based on the sources listed on this page (last researched Oct 12, 2026), no. There is no lawful use of e-scooters on public roads in Costa Rica. Where you can ride: Banned on roads and sidewalks ('artefactos autopropulsados', Art. 124 Ley 9078).
Sources
- 1.RecordingLaw - Costa Rica e-scooter laws (2026)RecordingLaw · Secondary · Opened · read Oct 12, 2026
Country entries derived in part from RecordingLaw's e-scooter law guides (recordinglaw.com).