reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter X - Provisions Regarding the Use of Bicycles (§§ 5321 — 5324) › § 5321a - Public policy

It is hereby declared as the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to provide conditions that will allow and promote the use and enjoyment of bicycles as a means of transportation or recreation. As part of the implementation of this public policy, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall have the following responsibilities:
(a) Instruct drivers of vehicles or motor vehicles on their obligation to share the public highways with cyclists.
(b) Instruct cyclists on their obligation to comply with the norms established for the use and enjoyment of all public areas.
(c) Provide public buildings with adequate parking areas for bicycles located near entrances.
(d) Motivate persons and the citizenry in general to use bicycles as a means of transportation.
(e) Improve and increase the quality of data pertaining to bicycle accidents.
(f) Amend those laws that place cyclists at a disadvantage in comparison to drivers of vehicles or motor vehicles.
(g) Instruct law enforcement officials, judges and prosecutors on the contents of this subchapter.
(h) Identify and improve streets, roads and highways so they can be used by cyclists.
(i) Plan and develop exclusive bicycle lanes as parallel or alternate lanes in controlled access highways.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 11.02 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter X - Provisions Regarding the Use of Bicycles (§§ 5321 — 5324) › § 5323 - Responsibility of parents or guardians

A parent of a child or the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly allow said child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this subchapter.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 11.03, renumbered as § 11.05 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter X - Provisions Regarding the Use of Bicycles (§§ 5321 — 5324) › § 5324 - Educational campaign

The Traffic Safety Commission, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Puerto Rico Police, and the Highways and Transportation Authority shall develop an educational campaign through the communications media to inform the people on the provisions of this subchapter.
Said educational campaign shall include, among other things, the creation of a link to the Bill of Rights of the Cyclist and Obligations of the Driver on the webpage of the Traffic Safety Commission, to raise people’s awareness and prevent unfortunate accidents. The link to be created shall be interactive, so that the citizenry may learn through a visual and auditory program to act correctly when operating a motor vehicle in the roadways while sharing the same with a cyclist. Furthermore, it shall include advice to cyclists and drivers on how to share our public thoroughfares safely.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 11.06 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 11, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004; Apr. 27, 2012, No. 75, § 1; Aug. 16, 2012, No. 176, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XI - Inspection of Vehicles (§§ 5351 — 5359) › § 5351 - Basic rule

Any motor vehicle that travels on the public highways shall have the equipment required by this subchapter, in good working condition and adjustment, and said vehicle must be in such mechanical condition that it will not be a threat to the public safety. To such ends, every motor vehicle that travels on the public highways shall be equipped with the gas emission control system, including the catalytic converter and related parts.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 12.01; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 12, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XI - Inspection of Vehicles (§§ 5351 — 5359) › § 5353 - Defective vehicles or those not submitted to inspection

No vehicle that has been found to have mechanical defects in its essential parts, in its emission control systems or that lacks equipment as promulgated by the Secretary through regulations shall continue to travel on the public roads, except during the grace period that may be granted to correct such defects. Neither shall those vehicles that have not submitted to inspection on the dates indicated by the Secretary continue to travel on the public roads. To such effects, the determination that a vehicle does not meet the safety conditions and control of pollutant emissions required by law shall have the same legal consequences as if no license had been issued to the vehicle to travel on the public roads.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 12.03, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XI - Inspection of Vehicles (§§ 5351 — 5359) › § 5354 - Establishment of inspection stations

The Secretary may establish stations that shall be operated by the Department to conduct the inspections and issue the certificates of inspection and approval, or the certificates granting a grace period to correct the defects. The public shall be informed of the location of these stations through publications to such effects in the newspapers of greatest circulation, as well as in the regional newspapers with a minimum circulation of fifty thousand (50,000) copies, as often as the Secretary deems it convenient. He/she may also contract the vehicle inspection operations to any government agency that has the necessary equipment and installations.
In contracting with the government agencies, priority shall be given to the shops that operate in the vocational schools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education that teach motor vehicle mechanics.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 12.04, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XI - Inspection of Vehicles (§§ 5351 — 5359) › § 5358 - Posting of a sign advising the public on prohibitions and penalties

Every owner of a garage or official inspection station shall install and post a sign approved by the Secretary, in a place visible to the public, stating the prohibitions and penalties that would bring about removing, eliminating, altering or modifying the catalytic converter and related parts without making the corresponding replacement, as provided in § 5357(h) of this title. The Secretary shall provide through regulations the design, size and content of said signs.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 12.08; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 12, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XI - Inspection of Vehicles (§§ 5351 — 5359) › § 5359 - Equipment exempted from payment of municipal fees

Owners or concessionaires of official inspection stations who meet the requirements established in this chapter and the regulations adopted by virtue thereof, shall acquire the technical equipment or instruments that the Secretary determines should be used for the inspection of the motor vehicles, free from the payment of the applicable municipal fees.
Every owner of an inspection station who wishes to avail him/herself of the exemption granted in this section shall comply with the procedure provided by the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury to such ends.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 12.09, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XII - Safety Belts (§§ 5381 — 5384) › § 5381 - Basic rule

No motor vehicle may travel on the public highways of Puerto Rico if, it does not meet the following rules regarding seat belts:
(a) Every 1965 model automobile, or later, shall be equipped with at least two (2) safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap, to be used on the front seat.
(b) Every 1968 model automobile, or later, shall be equipped with safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap, for each passenger for which it has been designed. It shall also be equipped with at least two (2) safety front seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap and on the shoulders. This requirement shall not be applicable to police vehicles.
(c) Every 1971 model and later, commercial vehicle, heavy motor vehicle, bus, tractor or propelled vehicle shall be equipped with safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap and on the shoulders for use in the front seat.
(d) Every automobile, commercial vehicle, heavy motor vehicle, bus, and tractor or propelled vehicle that is manufactured and assembled locally after January 1, 1971, with new components and parts or with parts from other vehicles shall be equipped with safety seat belts as required in the above subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(e) No person shall distribute, have for sale, offer for sale, nor shall sell any type of safety seat belts to be used in motor vehicles, unless they meet the minimum standards and specifications approved by the Secretary. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished with a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
(f) Every owner of a motor vehicle, which must be equipped with safety seat belts pursuant to this section, shall be bound to keep said seat belts and their installation in good condition, so that the same may be used by the driver and the passengers.
(g) The Secretary is authorized to exempt, through regulations to such effect, certain types of motor vehicles or positions for drivers or passengers in said vehicles from the requirements of the above subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section, when due to their nature, design or original manufacture, certain types of safety seat belts cannot be used or installed.
(h) No concessionaire of a public vehicle authorized by the Public Service Commission shall remove the seat belts installed in them under any circumstances. Violations of this subsection shall entail an administrative fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 13.01; Aug. 4, 2004, No. 188, § 1, eff. 90 days after Aug. 4, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XII - Safety Belts (§§ 5381 — 5384) › § 5382 - Use

The use of safety seat belts and child protection seats, shall be done according to the following rules:
(a) Any person who drives or is a passenger on the public highways in a motor vehicle which must be equipped with safety seat belts according to § 5381 of this title, seat belts that are available and in usable condition, shall be obliged to adjust and properly secure said seat belts while the vehicle is being driven on the public highways. It shall be the duty of every driver to require every occupant of the vehicle to use the available safety seat belts, and shall be liable for failing to do so. In addition, it shall be the duty of every driver not to transport more passengers than the number of available functional safety seat belts in said motor vehicle.
(b) This subsection shall not apply in the following cases:
(1) To drivers and passengers of who are prevented from using seat belts for medical or physical reasons and hold a medical certificate that certifies it.
(2) To drivers and passengers of public service vehicles while rendering services in short routes authorized by the Public Service Commission by petition of the interested parties. In defining what a short route is, the Commission shall use the following criteria, among others:
(A) Extension of the route or area of operations authorized by the Public Service Commission.
(B) Origin and destination of the movement of passengers.
(C) Special nature or conditions of the route or area of operations, the passengers, vehicles and other similar conditions.
(D) Authorized rates.
(E) If the manner the route or area of operations is operated requires constant stopping to pick up or drop off passengers along the extent of the route or the entire area of operations.
Any driver bound by the provisions of this section to use safety seat belts while driving who does not do so, or allows any passenger in his/her vehicle not to use it shall incur an administrative fault and shall be punished with a fine of fifty dollars ($50) for each passenger that does not use the safety seat belt.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 13.02; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 13, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XII - Safety Belts (§§ 5381 — 5384) › § 5383 - Use of child safety seats

It shall be mandatory for every person driving a motor vehicle on public highways in which a child younger than four (4) years of age is transported to ensure that said child is using a child safety seat.
Furthermore, it shall be mandatory for any person driving a motor vehicle on public highways and traveling with a child between four (4) and nine (9) years of age, or who is less than 4 feet and 9 inches (57 inches) tall, whichever comes first, to ensure that such child is using a booster seat.
Children who suffer some sort of disability duly certified by a physician which prevents them from traveling safely in said seats are exempt from this provision. Unless the motor vehicle is only equipped with front seats, every child less than twelve (12) years of age shall travel in the rear seat of the vehicle. This section does not apply to drivers of public service vehicles.
A violation of the provisions of this section shall entail a six (6)-point deduction on the driving record of the person operating the motor vehicle.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 13.03; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 13; Sept. 13, 2012, No. 235, § 1; Sept. 15, 2012, No. 254, § 1, ef. 90 días después de Septiembre 15, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XII - Safety Belts (§§ 5381 — 5384) › § 5384 - Rulemaking authority

The Secretary is hereby authorized to prescribe by regulations to such effects, any other necessary provisions with regard to the installation and use of safety seat belts and child safety seats. In addition, the Secretary shall adopt regulations to establish the eligibility requirements for persons who request a child safety seat in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 13.04; Sept. 13, 2012, No. 235, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5401 - Basic rule

Every motor vehicle shall be bound to have all the equipment provided in this subchapter under the conditions specified herein, in order to travel on the public roads of Puerto Rico. The Secretary shall promulgate the regulations needed to enforce this provision.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.01, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5402 - Brakes

Every motor vehicle that travels on the public thoroughfares shall be equipped with a [brake] system as stated below:
(a) At least two (2) independent braking systems, each of which shall be sufficient by itself to stop the motion of the vehicle within an adequate distance, and one of which shall be designed to operate it [sic] with the feet. Motorcycles shall need two (2) brakes, one in the front wheel and the other in the rear wheel.
(b) The brakes on motor vehicles and trailers shall be kept in good condition. The Secretary is hereby empowered to provide and regulate the inspection of the vehicle to enforce compliance with the provisions of this subsection. The Secretary may deny, suspend or revoke the registration of any of the vehicles referred to in this subchapter when it is determined that the vehicle’s brakes do not comply with the provisions established in this section.
(c) The brakes of every trailer known as van must be constructed in such a way that they can be operated from the control cabin of the propelling truck, and in such a way that the brakes will operate independently from the brakes of the propelling truck. Said brakes shall be designed and connected in such a way that in the event the trailer is accidentally disconnected from the propelling vehicle, they will operate automatically.
(d) The other vehicles that are not deemed to be motor vehicles shall be provided with an adequate brake system and maintained in good condition.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.02; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14; Aug. 10, 2007, No. 107, § 7, eff. 60 days after Aug. 10, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5403 - Effectiveness of brakes

(a) Every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall, at all times and under any load, have the brake system in such conditions that at a speed of twenty (20) miles an hour it will allow the vehicle to be stopped with the foot brake within the following distances:
(1) Ten (10) or less passenger automobiles, twenty-five (25) feet.
(2) Vehicles whose gross tare capacity does not exceed five (5) tons, thirty (30) feet.
(3) Single unit vehicles, with two (2) axles, with a gross tare of five (5) tons, and buses, forty (40) feet.
(4) Any other combination of vehicles, fifty (50) feet.
(b) Any inspection performed to determine the condition of the brakes of the vehicles must be done on a dry, level, paved roadway without inclines or other loose matter such as sand and gravel.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.03; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14; Aug. 10, 2007, No. 107, § 8, eff. 60 days after Aug. 10, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5404 - Required lighting of vehicles

Any driver of a vehicle or a motor vehicle that travels on the public highways during the period comprised between sunset and sunrise, as well as at any other time that visibility is not adequate, shall be bound to turn on the headlights, tail-lights, the license-plate light, and any other lights and lighted signals that this chapter and its regulations specifically require or that are necessary for the public safety.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.04; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5405 - Headlights

With regard to headlights, the following rules shall be obeyed:
(a) Every motor vehicle shall have at least two (2) colorless headlights in front, one at each side, capable of lighting the road ahead for a distance of five hundred (500) feet that will also produce a less intense light to be used in overtaking and passing or meeting other vehicles, or on lighted public roads. The less intense lights may be mounted in separate lamps.
(b) Every motor vehicle shall have a minimum of two (2) colorless headlights that shall be sufficient to indicate the position of the vehicle if it is parked at night and is required by law or regulations to indicate its position.
(c) Motorcycles shall be provided with at least one (1) white headlight.
(d) It is forbidden to use high intensity lights on lighted public roads.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.05; Aug. 10, 2007, No. 107, § 9, eff. 60 days after Aug. 10, 2007.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5406 - Rear lights

The following rules shall apply with regard to the rear lights:
(a) Every motor vehicle shall be equipped on its left rear side with a red taillight visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet, except for every motor vehicle manufactured after the year 1960 which shall be bound to display two (2) red taillights located at each side of the vehicle and mounted as far apart as possible. Motor vehicles manufactured after 1985 shall have a third red light in the central rear part of the vehicle.
(b) Every motor vehicle shall also display the rear license plate lit by a colorless light so as to render the license number legible from a distance [of at least fifty (50) feet].
(c) The use of accessories that may hinder the clear visibility of the license plate is hereby prohibited.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.06; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5407 - Signal lights

The following rules shall apply with regard to the signal lights:
(a) Every motor vehicle or trailer manufactured after the year 1960, shall be equipped with signal lights for the driver to indicate his/her intent to turn in the direction shown by the lighted signal.
(b) Front signal lights shall be white or amber in color and rear signal lights shall be red or amber.
(c) Signal lights shall not be blinding.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.07; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5408 - Additional lights required on certain vehicles

The following rules shall apply with regard to additional lights required for certain vehicles:
(a) Every bus, trailer, school bus or heavy motor vehicle whose total width is eighty inches (80′′) or more shall be equipped with two (2) additional lights in front and two (2) in the rear. Tractors shall be required to carry only the additional front lights.
(b) Said additional lights shall be amber in color in front and red in the rear.
(c) In the case of buses, school buses, heavy motor vehicles or trailers of the closed-body type, these additional lights shall be mounted in such a manner as to indicate as closely as possible the width and height of the vehicle.
(d) In the case of heavy motor vehicles and the platform type trailers, these additional lights shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle and in such a manner as to indicate their width.
(e) For the purposes of this section, vans shall be deemed as freight and shall be excluded from the application thereof, but shall always be provided with the corresponding light reflectors.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.08; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5409 - Stoplights

Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one (1) rear red or amber light that shall be lit when the foot brake is applied. Vehicles manufactured after the year 1960 shall be equipped with two (2) stoplights as indicated in this section, one of which shall be mounted on the left side and another on the right side of the rear of the vehicle.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.09, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5410 - Reflectors

The following rules shall apply with regard to reflectors in vehicles, motor vehicles or trailers:
(a) Every motor vehicle and trailer shall be equipped with two (2) red reflectors in its rear, one (1) on each side and mounted as far apart as possible so as to indicate the width of the vehicle. These reflectors may be mounted separately or as part of the taillights. Motorcycles shall be equipped with at least one (1) reflector.
(b) Every bus, school bus, heavy motor vehicle and trailer shall be equipped with two (2) reflectors at each side in addition to those indicated above and mounted as far apart as possible so as to indicate the over-all length of the vehicle. Reflectors near the front shall be amber in color and those near the rear shall be red.
(c) Every heavy motor vehicle for public transport, except school buses, shall display along the entire rear bumper and on its upper and rear part, red and white vertical reflecting strips. These reflecting strips shall be set vertically at a ninety (90) degree angle and shall measure not less than six inches (6′′) nor more than twelve inches (12′′) in width. The front bumpers shall display amber reflecting strips.
(d) The reflecting strips in those vehicles lacking rear bumpers shall be set in the rear lower part so that they may be seen from a distance of five hundred (500) feet.
(e) School buses shall have reflecting strips according to the rules and colors established by the National Safety Council and the regulations promulgated by the Commission for that purpose.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.10; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5411 - Lights on other vehicles

Those other vehicles not deemed to be motor vehicles as defined in this chapter, except bicycles, shall be bound to comply with the provisions of §§ 5405 and 5406 of this title.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.11, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5412 - Intermittent or colored lights

No person shall drive a vehicle on a public highway equipped with any device, lamp or dome or light that issue or reflects a steady or flashing light of any color that is visible from any angle. The following rules shall apply as an exception with regard to said devices, lamps or dome or lights:
(a) The use of a blue light is exclusively reserved for those vehicles used by the Police, legislators, mayors, judges and prosecuting attorneys.
(b) The use of said green light is exclusively reserved for those vehicles of the Corrections Administration, the Municipal Police Forces and the Ranger Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
(c) The use of a red light is exclusively reserved for the remaining emergency vehicles listed in subsection (100) of § 5001 of this title and are not expressly mentioned in this section.
(d) The use of an amber light is reserved for official vehicles used by the Public Service Commission, the Traffic Ordinance Corps, tow trucks authorized by the Commission while transporting vehicles, the government agencies and instrumentalities rendering public services, school vans or buses, regardless of their dimension, and private security agencies.
(e) No vehicle may be equipped or driven on a public highway with flashing lights other than those used as signal lights. The following vehicles are hereby exempted from the provisions of this subsection:
(1) Police or emergency vehicles.
(2) Vehicles reserved for the exclusive use of Municipal Guards, the Ranger Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, official vehicles reserved for the exclusive use of the Corrections Administration, and vehicles authorized by the Environmental Quality Board.
(f) The Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency and the municipal emergency and disaster offices may use a combination of red and blue lights on their official vehicles.
(g) Federal government vehicles shall be governed by their respective rules and regulations regarding the lights, sirens and other equipment regulated by this section.
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall incur an administrative fault and be punished with a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.12; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004; Dec. 19, 2013, No. 155, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5413 - Spot lamps

It shall be illegal to equip a vehicle with more than two (2) spot lamps or to use these as substitutes for the lights mentioned in subsection (a) of § 5405 of this title, or to aim them directly at vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.13, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5414 - Rubber tires

Every motor vehicle traveling on the public roads, except as otherwise provided by the Secretary through regulations, shall be equipped with air filled rubber tires.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.14, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5415 - Sound and motor acceleration muffling systems

The following rules shall apply with regard to sound and motor acceleration muffling systems:
(a) Every motor vehicle traveling on a public road shall be equipped with a muffler that must be in good working condition. It shall be illegal to use exhaust valves or any other device or gadget on the muffler for the purpose of making noise.
(b) It shall be illegal to unnecessarily accelerate the motor cause it to or produce noise.
(c) A “muffler” shall be deemed to be any device or gadget used to reduce the noise produced by the emission of gases from an internal combustion engine.
Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall incur an administrative fault and shall be punished with a fine of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.15; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5416 - Windshield and windshield wipers

Every motor vehicle traveling on a public road shall be provided with a glass windshield equipped with windshield wipers in good working order and installed in front of the seat occupied by the driver.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.16, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5417 - Rearview mirror

Every motor vehicle traveling on a public highway shall be provided with at least one (1) rearview mirror located in such a way that the driver can have a view of the public highway of at least two hundred (200) feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Every bus, truck or trailer truck shall be equipped with two (2) rearview mirrors, one (1) at each side, that will reflect a view of the rear of the vehicle on the public highway along both sides of the vehicle.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.17; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5418 - Additional towing equipment

It shall be the duty of every driver of a tow truck used to tow vehicles to have it provided of the following additional equipment:
(a) One (1) or more brooms to be used when necessary to remove glass and other objects found at the site of an accident in which the vehicle to be towed is involved.
(b) A shovel to be used to scatter soil or sand over any oil or grease spilled on the pavement of the public road as a result of an accident.
(c) A fire extinguisher in good working order.
(d) Signs on each side with the name and address of its owner and the permit number assigned by the Commission.
(e) As of January 2015, every crane or tow truck shall be equipped with a dual cab for passengers.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.18, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5419 - Emergency equipment

Every bus and vehicle used to haul freight, as a tow truck and every bus shall be equipped with three (3) orange reflecting triangles; one to be located at a distance of one hundred (100) feet from the front of the motor vehicle, another to be placed at the side of the vehicle in question, and another to be placed one hundred (100) feet from the rear of said vehicle when it breaks down and is unable to continue traveling during daylight hours, and it is necessary to leave it on the roadway of the public highway until it is repaired or towed.
If the breakdown occurs during the hours when the use of lights is required by this subchapter, three (3) orange reflector triangles shall be placed to signal the emergency stop of the broken down vehicle. They shall be placed from one hundred (100) feet to five hundred (500) feet on hills, curves and obstructions, and from fifty (50) to three hundred (300) feet on divided or one-way roads, in which case the third triangle shall be placed beside the vehicle at a distance of ten (10) feet from the pavement.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.19; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5420 - Fenders

No motor vehicle or trailer shall travel on the public roads without being equipped with a fender over each of its wheels and every vehicle used to haul freight whose structure is devoid of rear fenders shall be equipped with covers or devices, including metal or other accessories for the effective protection against scattering stone particles or mud or any other matter.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.20, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5421 - Use of sirens and bells

The use and installation of whistles, sirens and bells of any type on private motor vehicles is illegal. This provision shall not apply to vehicles authorized to handle emergencies of the federal government, the Firefighter Corps, the Puerto Rico and Municipal Police, the Ranger Corps of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Corrections Administration, the General Court of Justice, the Traffic Ordinance Corps, the Commonwealth Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Agency, the Public Works Commission and the Environmental Quality Board that are authorized to act in emergencies, as well as ambulances and vehicles that are owned by private entities that render security and protection services to persons or real or movable property that are duly identified and authorized by law to operate as such, when said vehicles are engaged in emergencies or preventive patrolling services.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.21; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5422 - Horn

Every motor vehicle traveling on the public roads shall have a horn installed for its use as provided in § 5293 of this title.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.22, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5423 - Regulations

The Secretary is hereby empowered to establish regulations concerning the additional equipment allowed or required for any type of vehicle.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.23, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5424 - Seizure of equipment

The Police Force is hereby empowered to seize all equipment installed in any vehicle in violation of the provisions of this subchapter.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.24, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIII - Provisions on Motor Vehicle Equipment (§§ 5401 — 5425) › § 5425 - Illegal acts and penalties

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this subchapter or the regulations approved by the Secretary according thereto, with the exception of §§ 5412 and 5415 of this title, shall incur an administrative fault and shall be punished with a fine of fifty dollars ($50).
When the violation consists of an unseviceable front, rear, signal or license plate lights of an out of order motor vehicle, the driver shall be subject to an administrative fine of twenty-five dollars ($25).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 14.25; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 14, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5451 - Basic rule

No vehicle, motor vehicle trailer or semitrailer shall travel on the public highways overloaded or with cargo that extends beyond the vehicle or trailer in excess of what is established below, or placed in such a way that it may fall off the vehicle or trailer or be scattered on the pavement or in any way affect the public safety and the traffic flow.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 15.01; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5453 - Special permits

The Secretary may grant special permits for a limited time, authorizing the operation of vehicles, motor vehicles, trailers or semitrailers bearing loads that are not in conformity with the provisions of this subchapter and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Every permit thus granted shall be carried in the corresponding vehicle and shown for inspection to any law enforcement officer or agent, and no person holding said permit, or driver of the vehicle shall violate the terms and conditions thereof. The issuing of each permit shall entail the cancellation of an Internal Revenue voucher in the amount of fifty dollars ($50).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 15.03; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5454 - Persons riding atop the cargo

Except in the case of vehicles used in rendering public services such as fire engines, garbage trucks and such other similar ones that are owned by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or public corporations or municipalities, except as otherwise provided by the Secretary through regulations to such effect, no person shall ride on the cargo or in any part of a vehicle other than its cab. No driver shall allow persons to violate the provisions of this section.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 15.04; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5455 - Illegal acts and penalties

Any person who violates the provisions of §§ 5452, 5453 and 5454 of this title shall incur an administrative fault and be punished with a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) for each violation. In the case of violation of the standards relative to the weight of the vehicles and their cargo, the fines provided in § 5685(c) of this title shall also apply, whichever is greater.
When any person is injured or dies due to the violation of the provisions of this subchapter, the person accused shall incur a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished with a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500), nor of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), a term of imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, or both penalties, at the discretion of the court. The court may suspend the driving license of the convicted driver for a term of not more than two (2) years.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 15.05; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5457 - Inspection of unloaded heavy motor vehicle

Every owner of a heavy motor vehicle who uses it to travel on public highways, shall weigh the unloaded vehicle and obtain the dimensions between the axles at a weighing station authorized by the department, where he/she shall obtain a certification of the unloaded weight, the dimensions between the axles and a stamp that identifies the vehicle as having been weighed and certified. The driver of the heavy motor vehicle shall have said certification available at all times in the cab of the vehicle as evidence of hasting complied with this requirement and shall show it when required to do so. The seal shall be fixed at the right side of the interior of the windshield of the heavy motor vehicle, at the left of the license sticker.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 15.07 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XIV - Dimensions and Weight of Vehicles and their Load (§§ 5451 — 5458) › § 5458 - Permanent weighing station

Every heavy motor vehicle that travels on the highways of Puerto Rico shall follow the instructions of the traffic signs and signals related or associated to the weighing process of trucks in the permanent weighing stations.
Every heavy motor vehicle that infringes this provision shall incur an administrative fault of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 15.08 on June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 15, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XV - Public Service Vehicles (§§ 5481 — 5485) › § 5481 - Basic rule

The Secretary shall not issue, renew or transfer the registration, license or license plate of any motor vehicle engaged in the transportation of passengers or freight for pay, or substitute the same without an order or authorization from the Commission.
The Commission shall authorize the issue and renewal of the permits and license plates of all public carriers authorized to operate as such, as provided through regulations.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 16.01, eff. 1 year after Jan. 7, 2000.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter XV - Public Service Vehicles (§§ 5481 — 5485) › § 5482 - Routes, licenses and transfers of public service vehicles

The Commission shall establish and provide through regulations, all matters related to the routes, licenses and transfers of public service vehicles. It is likewise authorized to issue to any owner of a motor vehicle who is a concessionaire a driver’s license certificate and one of effectiveness that shall be placed in a visible area of said vehicle. Said certificate shall bear a photograph of the owner of the motor vehicle with his/her name in clearly-printed letters.
Subject to the regulations promulgated for such a purpose by the Commission, when the owner of a public heavy motor vehicle which is his/her working tool is unable to drive said automobile or vehicle due to illness and said owner presents a medical certificate to that effect to the Commission, the latter may grant the owner a temporary permit for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days, allowing said automobile or vehicle to be driven by another authorized driver designated for that purpose by the owner. The temporary permit issued may be extended upon written request to the Commission by the corresponding owner for the additional term the latter may deem necessary. Granting such permits shall be subject to the standards established by the Commission to that effect.
The Commission is also empowered to issue rules and regulations granting permits to drive public service vehicles, by persons other than their owners, when public need or physical disability require it.
Public vehicle enterprises, as the term is described in §§ 1001 et seq. of Title 27, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Act”, shall serve the routes established by the Commission.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 16.02; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 16, eff. 8 months after June 3, 2004.