COSEVI Driving Theory key terms

Costa Rica's general traffic law that sets the rules of the road, licensing requirements, sanctions and the point system; it is the legal base for most theory exam questions.

The regulation that develops Ley 9078 in operational detail, covering sign placement, documentation, vehicle inspections and the concrete procedure for each traffic situation.

Official document authorizing a person to drive a given category of vehicle; it states the class, restrictions and expiry date, and driving without it is a serious offence.

Annual circulation permit that proves the vehicle's taxes and mandatory insurance are paid; driving without a valid marchamo is an infraction and can lead to vehicle retention.

Periodic mechanical and emissions inspection a vehicle must pass at an authorized station; the sticker or certificate shows validity and is checked during traffic controls.

Any device placed on or beside the road to regulate, warn or guide traffic; drivers must obey it and it takes priority over personal judgement of the situation.

Sign that imposes an obligation or prohibition, such as a stop, a speed limit or a no-entry sign; ignoring it is a traffic infraction and often a fine.

Warning sign, usually yellow and diamond-shaped, that announces a hazard ahead such as a curve, school zone, crossing or narrowing, so the driver can slow down and prepare.

Guide sign that gives directions, distances, services or destinations rather than imposing rules; it helps navigation but does not by itself create an obligation.

Red octagonal sign requiring a complete stop before the line or crossing, checking that the way is clear, and only then continuing; rolling stops are infractions.

Inverted triangle sign meaning the driver must slow down and yield to traffic on the priority road, stopping only if necessary to let other vehicles pass safely.

Traffic light that alternates right-of-way by colour; red means stop before the line, green permits movement only if the intersection is clear, and yellow warns of the change.

Painted lines, arrows and symbols on the road surface that separate lanes, mark edges and indicate permitted movements; a solid line generally may not be crossed.

Officer empowered to direct traffic and enforce the law; hand and arm signals from an officer override signs and lights, so the driver must obey them immediately.

Rule determining which vehicle goes first at a junction or narrow section; it depends on signs, lights, the type of road and, where unmarked, on yielding to the right.

Place where two or more roads meet or cross; drivers must approach at a safe speed, respect signs and lights, and never block the crossing when traffic is stopped ahead.

Circular intersection where traffic already inside the ring has priority; entering drivers yield, circulate counter-clockwise and signal when leaving at their exit.

Manoeuvre of passing a slower vehicle; it is allowed only where visibility, markings and signs permit, and is forbidden on curves, hills, bridges and at pedestrian crossings.

Maximum or minimum speed set by sign or law for a road section; exceeding it reduces reaction time and is one of the most frequent causes of serious crashes.

Gap kept behind the vehicle ahead, commonly at least two seconds in good conditions and more when wet or dark, so there is room to stop if it brakes suddenly.

Driving style that anticipates other people's mistakes, keeps escape space, scans far ahead and avoids unnecessary risk regardless of who legally has the right of way.

Area around a vehicle that mirrors do not show; drivers must turn their head or use aids before changing lanes, and must avoid lingering beside large vehicles.

Delay between perceiving a hazard and actually braking, typically close to one second; it grows with fatigue, alcohol or distraction and adds distance before slowing begins.

Distance a vehicle travels from the moment braking starts until it stops; it increases with speed, load, worn tyres and wet or loose road surfaces.

Loss of tyre contact with the road because a layer of water builds under the tread; steering and braking fade, so the driver should ease off the accelerator without sudden inputs.

Driving while attention is taken by phones, screens, food, passengers or other tasks; it lengthens reaction time and is sanctioned, with hands-free use still requiring care.

Handling or texting on a mobile phone while driving, which is prohibited and fined because it removes eyes, hands and mind from the task of driving.

Concentration of alcohol measured in breath or blood; Costa Rican law sets limits and imposes severe sanctions, licence suspension and even criminal liability above the legal threshold.

Breath or blood test used by traffic officers to measure alcohol; refusing a lawful test carries its own sanction, and results feed directly into fines and licence measures.

Drowsiness and reduced alertness from long hours, poor sleep or night driving; it slows reactions like alcohol, so the safe response is to stop and rest, not to push on.

Vehicle system that slows and stops the wheels, usually with discs or drums, hydraulic fluid and ABS; soft pedals, noise or pulling mean it needs immediate inspection.

Anti-lock braking system that rapidly releases and reapplies brake pressure to prevent wheel lock, letting the driver keep steering during hard emergency braking.

Tyres that transmit grip, braking and steering; tread depth, correct pressure and absence of cuts or bulges are checked in inspections and directly affect safety.

Headlights, position lights, brake lights and indicators that make the vehicle visible and announce intentions; faulty lights are an infraction and a crash risk at night.

Indicator light used to announce turns, lane changes and exits; it must be given early enough for others to react and does not by itself grant the right of way.

Immediate basic care given to an injured person before professional help arrives: securing the scene, calling emergency services, checking breathing and controlling bleeding.

Order of action at a crash scene: protect the area to prevent further collisions, alert emergency services with clear information, then help casualties within your training.

Single emergency number to request ambulance, police or fire service; the caller should give exact location, number of injured people and hazards present.

Recovery position for an unconscious person who is breathing, lying on the side to keep the airway open; it is not used when a spinal injury is suspected.

Reflective warning triangle placed behind a stopped vehicle to alert approaching traffic; it is mandatory in breakdowns and must be set at a safe distance.

Eco-driving techniques such as smooth acceleration, early gear changes, steady speed and correct tyre pressure that cut fuel use, emissions and mechanical wear.

Pollutants and greenhouse gases released by a vehicle's exhaust; they are reduced by efficient driving, proper maintenance and a working catalytic converter, and checked in inspections.

Penalties applied for traffic infractions, including fines, licence suspension or cancellation and vehicle retention; severity depends on the type of infraction committed.

Costa Rican scheme that adds points to a driver's record for serious infractions; accumulating the legal maximum leads to licence suspension and compulsory re-education.

Official report written by a traffic officer describing an infraction or crash, with facts, witnesses and evidence; it supports the fine and any later claims.