First trip? If this is your first trip to Puerto Rico, you might want to wait
until you get the feel of the land before doing your own driving.
Many Puerto Rican drivers might be deemed reckless by safe driving
standards in such things as: sudden stops, turning without adequate
signals, crisscrossing recklessly and a high incidence of drunken
driving.
During the first 120 days since arrival, a non-resident may operate
motor vehicles in Puerto Rico if that person possesses a valid,
unexpired license issued by any state of the United States of America
or by any foreign country that imposes requirements similar to Puerto
Rico's to grant a driver's license.
Note
I have available for rent a limited number of portable GPS car navigation systems with the Puerto Rico road maps and points of interest preloaded. Rentals are available on a daily or weekly basis. Call Carlos Sánchez at 787-292-6016 for details.
Vehicle prices are high in Puerto Rico. This is due to transportation
costs to Puerto Rico and also to rather high taxes on vehicles brought
into the island. Taxes apply to both new and used vehicles.
You will have to pay taxes on your own vehicle if you decide to bring
it to the Island. For rates and other details (in English) call Sea Star Line, a maritime shipping agency, at 787-721-2330.
Vehicle taxes For information on estimated tax liability based on your car's make, model and year of the vehicle (or the vehicle identification number (VIN), use the interactive form at http://www.hacienda.gobierno.pr/vehiculos/eng_index.html
Vehicle maintenance and repair. Vehicle maintenance and repair is troublesome. Ask around for a
responsible auto mechanic or take your chances with the big names
from the Yellow Pages (Under Automóviles / Reparación for
general repair; Automóviles / Hojalatería y Pintura for bodywork
and painting; and under Electromecánica for electro-mechanical
work).
Driver's license
For stays longer than 120 days, the person must obtain a Puerto Rico driver's
license. Any person who possesses a valid, unexpired license issued by
a state of the United States of America or by any foreign country that
has established reciprocity with Puerto Rico for the purposes of
issuing drivers' licenses, may obtain a Puerto Rico driver's license
simply by requesting one and paying the corresponding fees. The
license issued by the state or foreign country will not be withheld.
A person must be at least eighteen years old to qualify for a driver's
license. A person between sixteen and eighteen years old may be
issued a license to drive his (her) own vehicle or a vehicle owned
by his (her) legal guardian. The legal guardian must accept in
writing his (her) obligation to pay any traffic fines imposed to the
minor and/or any damages caused by the minor while operating a motor
vehicle.
Driver's tests
The candidate must approve both a written and a practical test. To
sit for the written test, a candidate needs:
a learner's permit request form
4 2x2 recent photos
a recent medical certificate
on the space provided for that purpose on the request form
payment of a $10 fee.
Form, photos and medical certificates are available at reasonable
fees, usually with little or no waiting, from any of several vendors
located near the entrance to the government facilities. The written
test is offered daily at Departamento de Transportación y Obras
Públicas, Centro de Servicios al Conductor, Carolina, P.R.
, telephone number (787) 722-2929.
Upon approving the written test, the person will be issued a
learner's permit. The learner's permit authorizes the person to
operate a motor vehicle while accompanied by another person who
possesses a valid driver's license and who is qualified to operate
the vehicle. Three months after the issue date of the learner's
permit, the person may take the practical test. A learner's permit
is valid for a maximum of two years. The learner who has not
qualified for a driver's license at the end of that period, must
request and repeat the written test to qualify for another learner''s
permit.
To take the practical test, a candidate needs:
a driver's license request form
4 2x2 recent photos
a recent medical certificate on the space provided for that
purpose on the drivers license request form
payment of a $10 fee.
Form, photos and medical certificates are available at reasonable
fees, usually with little or no waiting, from any of several vendors
at the entrance to the government facilities.
The candidate will be assigned a date and time to take the test at a
specified location. Candidates who approve the practical test will be
issued a driver's license. The license is valid for a period of four
years. Upon expiration, it may be renewed for additional four year
periods. To renew a license, a form must be filled and submitted
along with 4 recent 2x2 photographs, a medical certificate and payment
of the corresponding fee. Expired licenses will be renewed without
penalty within ninety days from date of expiration. After ninety
days and within five years, expired licenses will be renewed by
payment of the fees that would apply to a new license.
A number of companies offer their services in renewing driving
licenses, paying traffic fines and handling most documents related
to such transactions. Find them under Licencias - Servicios
in the Yellow Pages.
Also, a number of companies operate driving schools. Driving schools
must be duly authorized by the government. Their services normally
include assistance in obtaining
the learner's permit and the driver's license. Services and fees
vary from one company to the next. Shopping around is advisable.
Driving schools are listed in the Yellow Pages under
Escuelas / Conducir.
Handicapped persons
Learner's permits and driver's licenses may be issued to people with
partial physical handicaps who meet all other requirements. The
handicaps must be offset by mechanical devices in the vehicle or by
limitations as to the type of vehicle, the places where the person
may operate a vehicle or the times of day when the person may be
authorized to do so, or by any other conditions deemed necessary
to protect public safety.
Maximum speed limit
is 55 MPH, strictly enforced at many places, particularly during long weekends. Severe laws against drunken
driving are also strictly enforced. Lower speed limits apply to
residential areas, school zones and other areas. Speed limits of 65 MPH are posted in some designated expressway sections.
Reserved lanes
The leftmost lane on the driver's side of certain avenues in the San Juan Metrropolitan area is reserved
as an exclusive traffic lane for public transportation buses
carril exclusivo. The lane is identified by diamond-shaped white
signs painted on the lane at regular intervals. Bus traffic along the
exclusive lanes is in the opposite direction to regular traffic. This
fact makes it quite dangerous for regular traffic to use that lane.
Exclusive traffic lanes are located along Ponce de León, Muñoz Rivera and
Fernández Juncos avenues. These avenues begin at Old
San Juan, crossing Puerta de Tierra, Miramar, Santurce, Hato Rey and
Rio Piedras.
Traffic lights
You may turn right on red stoplights, after coming to a full stop,
except where expressly forbidden by traffic signs to that effect.
A Puerto Rican law permits ignoring red stoplights in the period from
midnight to 5:00 AM. You should make a full stop at the light and
exercise due care before continuing. The law was enacted to help
prevent holdups, carjackings and similar crimes at stop lights
during late night hours.
Seat belts
The use of seat belts is mandatory by law, and includes all passengers
riding in private passenger cars (including rented or leased cars). Children under twelve years old must use the rear seat. Children four and under must use properly buckled car seats.
Accidents
In case of a traffic accident, you are required to provide your
name and address, and to show your driver's license, to the people
affected by the accident. You should require the same information
from any other drivers involved. You should notify the state police
within four hours if the accident caused any damages that may be
estimated to be in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
If there are any victims in the accident and they can be moved
without harm, you should provide transportation for them to the
nearest hospital for treatment.
Vehicle license payments include an amount for compulsory no-fault accident insurance. Both parties to the accident should notify the state police and save the número de querella, the file number assigned by the police department to the accident report.
| ACAA - Administración de Accidentes de Tránsito - Administration for compensation for automobile accidents - posts the following instructions at their website:
In case of an accident:
1) Notify the nearest police station within the first 4 hours after the accident.
2) Get the "número de querella", number assigned to the case by the police.
3) Visit a regional office of ACAA within the first 15 calendar days after the accident, with the following information:
a) Name and address of the person who was hurt in the accident
b) "número de querella", number assigned to the case by the police.
c) original or copy of the driver's license of the driver of the car in which you were riding
d) Name, social security identification number and address of the driver, of the vehicle owner and of the claimant.
e) original or copy of the vehicle license of the car in which you were riding
f) Vehicle license plate number
g) If you visited an emergency room, medical information report (ACAA form 300-17
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Distances between locations are measured and posted in kilometers in the roads and highways of Puerto Rico.
A kilometer is about 5/8 of a mile. To convert kilometers to miles,
multiply by 0.62. To convert miles to kilometers, divide by 0.62. Speed limits are posted in miles per hour (MPH).
If you cannot find the information you need, CONTACT US and we will try to help you find it.
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