Puerto Rico Vehicle Registration Process

How To Register A Vehicle In Puerto Rico: The Process

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 should be pointed out 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:

• Vehicle title
• Driver license
• Purchase invoice
• Shipping documents

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.

Puerto Rico Driving, Roads, & Helpful Resources

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!