How To Register A Vehicle In Puerto Rico The Process
Puerto Rico Vehicle Resources
Since it’s a U.S. territory, it’s easier to register an imported vehicle on the island than it is for residents of other countries. Your U.S. driver’s license is valid in Puerto Rico, but you will have to register any car, truck, or motorcycle within three days of its arrival. While it’s not necessary to speak Spanish to get through the registration process, it certainly helps! Registration costs are typically around $300 in Puerto Rico.
Registration & Required Documents
If you register a vehicle in Puerto Rico (this goes for cars, trucks, motorcycles, vans, etc.), here are the documents you will be required to present. It’s important to note that these requirements are for nonresidents of Puerto Rico––see the second section under this heading for resident registration requirements.
Valid local driver license (Puerto Rico)
Vehicle title
Passport & import documents
Proof of excise tax payment
Social Security card
Proof of address
These steps to registration are done after you’ve imported your vehicle and applied for a local license. For residents, the requirements are quite a bit simpler:
Are you shipping a vehicle to Puerto Rico or considering it? If so, click here to visit our informational page about shipping to the country. Many of the questions we hear most frequently are answered there.
If you’ve never driven in Puerto Rico, or on Puerto Rican roads, you may be in for a bit of a surprise coming from the U.S. This section will go over some of the more important things to keep in mind and what to expect from the roads and local drivers.
Driving & Road Conditions
The rules of the road are the same in Puerto Rico as they are in the United States, though you may find that driving is a much different experience. Major roads are well-maintained, but there are some that can be rough. Drivers are known to be very aggressive in Puerto Rico and you should be extra cautious when on the road, especially if you’ve not driven there before.
Speed limits are not always followed by local drivers and it’s not unusual to see people far below or above the limit. Traffic congestion can be very bad, particularly around rush hour on main thoroughfares.
Puerto Rico Vehicle Resources
Puerto Rico Motor Vehicle Services - Plenty of helpful information can be found at this website, including registration requirements and the locations of local vehicle inspection centers.
Department Of Finance - This is the department you will need to contact to pay the excise tax, which is required of any vehicle imported onto the island.
Call us today at the number at the top of the page if you’re planning to ship a vehicle to Puerto Rico! All calls and email requests qualify for a FREE cost estimate—no strings attached! We’re happy to answer you’re questions & offer guidance!
You will need your unexpired US driver's license, a clean title on the car, the import papers, the tax papers, your passport, your social security card and some sort of paperwork that proves you own property in Puerto Rico or that you are renting.
You will need your unexpired US driver's license, a clean title on the car, the import papers, the tax papers, your passport, your social security card and some sort of paperwork that proves you own property in Puerto Rico or that you are renting.
Visit a CESCO/DTOP office with your signed and notarized title, the executed bill of sale, and government stamps so the officials there can process the title transfer. The officials will provide you with a title in your name and a license. At this point, the car is officially yours.
License plates in Puerto Rico are as easy to obtain as they are anywhere in the U.S. However, you will need to go to their version of the DMV, known as the Department of Transportation and Public Works, or DTOP. You will need to register your car before you can get your Puerto Rican license plates.
Social security card: Your social security card will be required for identification. Utility bill: Provide a utility bill that shows your current address in Puerto Rico. Pay stubs and bank statements: If you're financing the car, you may need to provide recent pay stubs and bank statements.
Because the island is a U.S. territory, registering a car in Puerto Rico is easier for U.S. residents than non-residents. In Puerto Rico, your U.S. driver's license is valid. However, any vehicle must be registered within three days of arrival.
Registering a car in Puerto Rico is mandatory and requires various documents, but the process can be lengthy due to long waits and multiple office visits. Non-residents need a local driver's license or proof of residency, while residents need to purchase invoices, vehicle shipping documents, and vehicle titles.
How much does it cost to ship a car to Puerto Rico? On average, shipping a car from the mainland United States to Puerto Rico can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the total distance, size and type of vehicle you transport, the type of transport you are using and even the time of year.
You do NOT need a Puerto Rico driver's license when purchasing a car in Puerto Rico. I realized I could get my license after having a car as it would make going to CESCO (Puerto Rico's DMV) a lot easier. What you do need is your social security card. CESCO uses this to register the car under your name.
The U.S. commonwealth of Puerto Rico first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1906. Only rear plates have been required since 1976.
A marbete, or car tag, is your car's vehicle registration, which should be renewed annually. It is issued by The Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP, the Spanish acronym), or an authorized location. All authorized locations must have a sign that indicates they are authorized by the DTOP.
Regarding car ownership, you can purchase and register a car in Puerto Rico as long as you meet the requirements set by the Puerto Rican government. As a US citizen with a valid US driver's license, you can use this license to register a car in Puerto Rico.
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All motor vehicle drivers in Puerto Rico are required by law to have an auto liability insurance coverage of at least $4,500 for property damage to third parties. In the event of a traffic accident, this insurance covers damages to third parties.
Conclusion. For most cars from most areas in the United States, shipping your car to Puerto Rico will cost you between $1,500 and $3,000. However, that number fluctuates throughout the year as the seasons change, gas prices change, carrier availability changes etc.
All imported vehicles are subjected to an excise tax. There is a wide range of tax and import duties depending on the type and age of the vehicle, but you should expect to pay no less than 5% of the car's worth. Through Hacienda, the Puerto Rico tax collector's office, you can calculate all the duties due.
Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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