No, studded tires are prohibited nationwide in Costa Rica under Decreto Ejecutivo No. 42538-MP-MTSS-MINAE (2021), which aligns with the Ley de Tránsito por Vías Públicas Terrestres (Law No. 9078). The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) enforces this ban year-round, citing road damage and environmental harm. Exceptions require prior approval from the Dirección de Gestión de la Movilidad, but none have been granted to date.
Key Regulations for Studded Tires in Costa Rica
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Absolute Ban: Decreto Ejecutivo No. 42538-MP-MTSS-MINAE (2021) explicitly prohibits studded tires on all public roads, including highways and urban areas. Violations incur fines up to ₡250,000 (≈$450 USD) under Reglamento de Tránsito.
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Enforcement by MOPT: The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes conducts random inspections, particularly during rainy season (May–November). Vehicles with studded tires may be impounded until compliance is verified.
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Temporary Exemptions: The Dirección de Gestión de la Movilidad may authorize studded tires for specialized vehicles (e.g., emergency or military) via a formal petition, but approvals are rare and require technical justification. No exemptions have been documented for private vehicles.
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Environmental Rationale: The ban stems from Costa Rica’s Plan Nacional de Descontaminación Atmosférica (2020), which targets particulate emissions from tire wear. Studded tires accelerate road degradation, increasing maintenance costs for the Consejo Nacional de Vialidad.
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Alternative Compliance: The MOPT recommends all-season or winter tires without studs, particularly in high-altitude regions like the Zona de los Santos or Cerro de la Muerte, where temperatures occasionally drop below 7°C.