B1 or B2?
Drivers Of 4x4's
Confused
The Policía de
Transito is
ruling out
fining drivers
of 4x4 vehicles
for driving with
the wrong
drivers license.
The controversy
arises from an
ambiguity in the
traffic law
that, if read
one way means
drivers of 4x4
vehicles must
have a B2
license, but if
read another way
it is ok with a
B1 license, the
most common and
required for all
passenger
vehicles.
The law reads
that a B2
license is
required for
vehicles
weighing over
1.500 kilograms.
Most 4x4
vehicles weigh
more than that.
As such a
Tránsito can
issue a fine of
¢381.000 colones
to the driver
not having a B2,
which most
don't.
However, the
COSEVI assures
that the weight
restriction is
on the load
capacity of the
vehicle and not
the weight of
the vehicle.
Thus, the driver
of a vehicle
registered to
carry a load of
1.5000 kilograms
or more, but
more than 5.000
kilograms, must
have a B2. A B3
is required for
vehicles over
5.000 kilograms
and a B4 for all
heavy vehicles.
Vehicles like
4Runner,
Trooper,
Pathfinder and
Prado would all
need a B2 if the
gross registered
weight of the
vehicle is
applied. Most
drivers of these
types of
vehicles do not
have a B2, but
rather a B1.
Confused yet?
The problem
stems from a
driver fined by
a Tránsito for
not having her
B2 for her 4x4.
The officer
issued the woman
a fine of
¢381.000
colones, plus a
loss of 25
points on her
license, which
is being
appealed.
Cesar Quiró, the
director of the
Policía de
Tránsito, says
the weight
restriction
confusion goes
back to 1993,
when the traffic
law was reformed
and never
cleared up and
continued in the
reforms of 2010,
but never
applied until
last month.
Quirós and
COSEVI
authorities say
any driver that
is fined should
dispute the
fine. |
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