Devices such as infant carriers, child seats, and booster seats—with or without backrests—are the four approved types of child restraint systems required by law for transporting children in vehicles in Costa Rica. The appropriate device must be selected based on the child’s age, height, and weight.
Transporting a minor without a proper restraint device or using one that is not suitable for the specific child is not optional. Violators face a fine of ¢246,000 and an addition of four points to their driver’s license. Authorities emphasize that the greatest risk is the potential loss of life for the child.
Martín Sánchez Agüero, Deputy Director of the Traffic Police, stated: “Adults must always prioritize the safety of minors when taking them out, whether visiting grandparents, going to school, or even making short trips to local stores.”
He added: “Children should always use a restraint device because accidents can happen at any time—on long or short trips—even just around the corner or during holiday festivities.”
Sánchez Agüero also explained that in single-cabin vehicles like pick-up trucks with only one row of seats, it is possible to transport children with restraint devices. However, he recommended ensuring these vehicles do not have airbags or that airbags can be deactivated since airbags can cause serious injuries or death to young children during accidents due to their fragility.
Authorities reiterated that no adult has the physical ability to hold onto a child during an accident—especially frontal collisions—so carrying children on laps is not considered safe.
Additionally, feeding infants while a vehicle is moving requires both adult and child to remain unrestrained; thus breastfeeding should only occur when the vehicle is parked. Similarly, changing diapers should never take place while either party is unrestrained in a moving car.
The official further noted that children under five years old should not travel on motorcycles.
As of September this year, 756 drivers were fined for transporting minors without proper restraints in cars and 64 were penalized for carrying children under five on motorcycles. Both violations result in fines of ¢246,000 and four points on the driver’s license.
