reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3208 - Obligations—Maritime Shipping Authority

The Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Maritime Authority and any person or enterprise engaged in sea or air transportation between Puerto Rico and abroad shall have the following obligations:
(1) To notify the Puerto Rico Police of every request for service to transport a motor vehicle or parts abroad, together with the following information:
(a) Name and address of the person requesting the service.
(b) Name and address of the owner of the vehicle or parts.
(c) Description of the vehicle, including trademark, year, model or type, color, license plate number, license plate sticker number, body serial number, engine number and horsepower and any other identification numbers or markings for the unit or its parts.
(d) Motor vehicle license number indicating whether that certificate includes any lien in favor of a third party.
(e) Name and address, after adequate identification, of the person who receives the vehicle and his relationship to the consignee.
(2) To obtain a Police certification from the person requesting the transportation service to the effect that there is no notification that would affect the exportation of the vehicle in the Register, as a previous condition to export. To issue a certification the Police may inspect the vehicle or parts in the place they are deposited.
(3) To maintain a Register of all vehicles introduced to Puerto Rico using its transportation facilities, which shall include the same information required by subsection (1) of this section.
When there is any doubt as to the vehicle’s title, or the vehicle or part is subject to detention, inspection or retention as provided in § 3213 of this title, the Secretary or the Puerto Rico Police may require any natural or juridical person who requests transportation services to post a bond as a condition prior to authorizing the shipping of a motor vehicle or part.
The Executive Director of the Maritime Authority and carriers or transport enterprises that receive vehicles or motor vehicle parts in transit for transshipment and export are hereby exempted from the obligations imposed by this section. It shall be understood that a vehicle or parts are in transit for transshipment and export when said goods are consigned to persons abroad and remain in custody of the carrier, customs authorities or deposited at the shipping entity’s warehouses or at a bonded warehouse to be shipped, or are shipped to a place outside of Puerto Rico within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date they enter the country.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3209 - Obligations—Insurance companies

Every insurance company authorized to do business in Puerto Rico shall have the following obligations, without prejudice or impairment to the provisions and obligations found in other laws:
(1) The insurer or his authorized representative will carry out a physical inspection of every vehicle it intends to insure, and in the case of used vehicles, at least two (2) photographs shall be taken from different angles, one of which shall show the license number, and they shall be kept in the file. To such purposes, the insurer shall maintain in its files written evidence of the inspection, which shall certify that the information contained in the policy has been directly corroborated against the automobile to be insured. When the insurance of the vehicle is only for third party liability, the requirement of the photographs shall not be applicable.
(2) To immediately notify the Puerto Rico Police of every vehicle reported as missing, stolen or illegally appropriated and of all claims filed due to such a disappearance, theft or illegal appropriation.
(3) To surrender to the Puerto Rico Police the license plates, licenses or certificates belonging to insured vehicles that have been declared a total loss due to an accidental or intentional act, theft or illegal appropriation and whose possession has been transferred to the insurer.
(4) To register in its name in the Motor Vehicle Register of the Department of Transportation and Public Works every vehicle or salvage that becomes its property for any reason, so that this data can be entered into the Register.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 10; May 15, 2003, No. 125, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3210 - Obligations—Puerto Rico Police; marginal notation

The Puerto Rico Police shall notify the Secretary, and he/she shall immediately incorporate an annotation or warning in the margin of the vehicle’s registration in the Register, of every vehicle reported as missing, written off as a total loss, stolen, illegally appropriated, subject to investigation, confiscated or exported. The police complaint number, the name and address of the complainant or person claiming the unit, or the confiscation file number, whichever the case shall be, shall also be indicated.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3211 - Obligations—General

Every natural or juridical person engaged in the manufacturing of keys, auto mechanics, motor vehicle sheet metal work and painting, the inspection of said vehicles or the operation of junkyards shall have the following obligations:
(1) In the case of a key manufacturer, to require the presentation of the applicant’s driver’s license and the corresponding motor vehicle license, before manufacturing, reproducing or surrendering motor vehicle keys. He/she shall keep a register where the above data is kept for each manufacture, reproduction or surrender of motor vehicle keys.
(2) In the case of an auto mechanic, sheet metal worker or motor vehicle painter, to require the presentation of the motor vehicle license and immediately notify the Puerto Rico Police of any irregularity, alteration or modification of the license plate, or the engine or vehicle serial numbers or of any essential parts of the vehicles he inspects or repairs.
(3) In the case of an inspection center operator, to immediately notify the Police if there is any irregularity with regard to the license, certificate, license plate, license plate sticker, the engine or serial number or any of its essential parts.
(4) In the case of junkyard operators, they shall not purchase, barter, sell, receive on deposit, import or export motor vehicles, junk or motor vehicle parts with their serial numbers erased, mutilated, altered, torn off, replaced, placed over or destroyed or illegible in any way.
(5) In the case of motor vehicle rental business operators, to keep a register that includes all the rentals made, the name, address, personal circumstances and license number of the person who rents the vehicle.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3211a - Obligations—Redistributors of motor vehicles or trailers

All redistributors of motor vehicles or trailers shall:
(a) Request that the financial institutions, insurance companies and leasing companies or the dealers of motor vehicles or trailers submit the documents that provide evidence of ownership of the motor vehicles or trailers that are to be put up for bidding;
(b) stamp the license of the unit in its rear so as to indicate the vehicle shall be exported, after the motor vehicle or the trailer has been auctioned off to a non-resident sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers;
(c) ensure that the motor vehicles or trailers to be exported are taken directly to the pier from where they shall be shipped, and
(d) obtain, prior to the auction, from the Puerto Rico Police and from the Department of Transportation and Public Works, a certificate indicating that neither the motor vehicle nor the trailer has been stolen and that their serial numbers are correct, and notify the Department so that the export tax on the vehicles object of the sale is registered.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 12-A on Aug. 13, 2004, No. 213, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3211b - Obligations—Financial institutions, insurance companies and leasing companies

Any financial institution, insurer or leasing company that wishes to participate in an auction proceeding held by a redistributor of motor vehicles or trailers shall:
(a) Present, through a sworn statement to that effect, the documents that evidence the cession of rights in its favor, its title of ownership and a certification as to the condition or state the motor vehicle or trailer, in the case of those of motor vehicles or trailers that have been repossessed by the financial institutions, insurance companies or leasing companies.
(b) Present the documents that evidence the title of ownership of the motor vehicle or trailer, in the case of those motor vehicles or trailers owned by financial institutions or leasing companies that have previously been under a short or long term lease contract.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 12-B on Aug. 13, 2004, No. 213, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3211c - Obligations—Non-resident sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers

Any non-resident sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers and who wishes to participate in an auction proceeding held by a redistributor of motor vehicles or trailers shall:
(a) Present the official license issued by the state in which said dealer conducts his/her operations and that authorizes the latter to engage in the sale of motor vehicles or trailers as well as the driver’s license issued by the state in which the person who represents said dealer before the redistributor of motor vehicles or trailers resides. The non-resident dealer shall also present evidence of registration of the enterprise, business, company or dealership in the Register of Non-Resident Sales Dealers of Motor Vehicles or Trailers, which shall be created and maintained by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, as provided in § 3206 of this title.
(b) Present the official license issued by the country in which said dealer conducts his/her operations and that authorizes the latter to engage in the sale of motor vehicles or trailers, as well as the passport of the person who represents said dealer before the redistributor of motor vehicles or trailers. The non-resident dealer shall also present evidence of registration of the enterprise, business, company or dealership in the Register of Non-Resident Sales Dealers of Motor Vehicles or Trailers, which shall be created and maintained by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, as provided in § 3206 of this title.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 12-C on Aug. 13, 2004, No. 213, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3211d - Obligations—Sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers

Any sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers who wishes to participate in an auction proceeding held by a redistributor of motor vehicles or trailers shall present a copy of his/her license as dealer of motor vehicles or trailers issued by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, as well as a written authorization issued by the enterprise, business, dealership or company in which a persons is designated to represent the dealer at an auction and a copy of the checks used by the sales dealer of motor vehicles or trailers to make his/her payments.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 12-D on Aug. 13, 2004, No. 213, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3212 - Obligations—Motor vehicle owners

Every natural or juridical person who owns a motor vehicle or an essential part thereof shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) Report to the Puerto Rico Police:
(a) The illegal appropriation, theft, loss, disappearance, destruction or export of any vehicle owned by him/her. This report shall be made immediately after knowledge of the facts, using the forms that the Puerto Rico Police shall prepare and supply in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Public Works and, if they are not available, by an original report and two (2) copies, in the most adequate manner. The injured party shall provide a detailed description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, the engine and its serial number, as well as a statement of the circumstances encompassing these facts.
(b) The loss, disappearance, destruction, theft, illegal appropriation or loss of license plates, licenses, certificates or license plate stickers belonging to any vehicle owned by him/her. This report shall be made immediately after the facts are known.
The Puerto Rico Police shall promptly forward to the Department of Transportation and Public Works a copy of the forms filed by the motor vehicle owners in compliance with this responsibility.
(2) To surrender to the Department of Transportation and Public Works the license plates, licenses and any other document that attests to the title of the vehicle, when a vehicle owned by him has been destroyed, illegally appropriated, exported, sold as junk or as spare parts, or he/she has abandoned it as unusable.
(3) To notify the Puerto Rico Police, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the financing institution and the insurance company, if any, of the recovery of any stolen or illegally appropriated vehicle. This notification shall be produced on or before ten (10) days have elapsed from its recovery.
(4) To request the Puerto Rico Police and the Department of Transportation and Public Works to reregister or reidentify any vehicle whenever it is necessary and applicable as provided herein.
(5) To notify the Puerto Rico Police and the Department of Transportation and Public Works by sworn statement within the next ten (10) working days, of any motor or transmission change or substitution made to any vehicle owned by him.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3214 - Violations—Illegal trade of vehicles and parts

Any person who owns, buys, receives, stores, hides, transports, retains or disposes through sale, exchange or otherwise a motor vehicle or parts of a motor vehicle, knowing that it was obtained through illegal appropriation, theft, extortion or any other illegal means shall incur in [a] third degree felony. The court may impose the penalty of restitution in addition to the penalty of imprisonment established herein, or both penalties.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 15; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3215 - Violations—Permissible inferences

It may be inferred that the accused had personal knowledge that the vehicle or part was acquired illegally whenever one (1) or more of the following circumstances occur:
(1) The price paid for the vehicle or part is so ridiculous or the conditions for payment are so advantageous or under such circumstances that the buyer must have reasonably concluded that he was dealing with property obtained by illegal means.
(2) When the seller or assignee is a minor and his/her parents, tutors or guardians have not given their consent for the transaction involved.
(3) When the accused is unable to produce authentic evidence of the price paid, when and from whom he acquired the vehicle or part, or the date the transaction was carried out.
(4) When the accused, on account of his knowledge, experience, profession, job or trade should have reasonably known that he/she was dealing with a vehicle or part acquired by illegal means.
(5) When the acquisition was carried out in a place or premises of a person acting as trafficker, unauthorized for such purposes under the Excise Act of Puerto Rico, or the parts were not duly identified in the transaction, or the formal requirements for the transfer of titles provided by the Vehicle and Traffic Law of Puerto Rico were not complied with.
(6) When the vehicle or part evidences modifications, alterations, or the identification numbers appear to be altered, or the license or license plates do not correspond to the unit.
(7) The vehicle or part is acquired from a person or in circumstances related to criminal activities, and a reasonable and prudent person should have known that he/she was dealing with illegally acquired property.
(8) When the vehicle or part is under the property and control of a person unable to prove his right to drive or own the same after it has been reported as missing, stolen, illegally appropriated or removed from the person with legal rights over the property.
(9) When, at the time of the arrest, the vehicle was being used in the commission of a criminal act.
(10) When the accused escapes upon his arrest by an officer of public law and order, leaving the vehicle or part behind.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3218 - Violations—Illegal appropriation of vehicle parts

Any person who illegally appropriates without violence or intimidation a motor vehicle part belonging to another person shall incur a misdemeanor if the value of the motor vehicle part does not amount to five hundred dollars ($500). If it amounts to or exceeds this value, he/she shall incur a fourth degree felony. The court may impose the penalty of restitution in addition to imprisonment.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 19; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3218a - Violations—Possession of tools used in the illegal appropriation of motor vehicles or parts

Any person who has in his/her possession any tool, instrument or object designed, adapted or commonly used to commit the crime of illegal appropriation of a motor vehicle, or the appropriation of motor vehicle parts, with the intention of committing said crime shall incur a misdemeanor.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 19-A on July 24, 1998, No. 171, § 2; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3219 - Violations—Identification numbers; mutilation, alteration, destruction or modification

Any person who voluntarily erases, mutilates, overlays, alters, destroys, removes, detaches or otherwise modifies the motor or serial number or any other identification number of a motor vehicle or part printed by the manufacturer or person designated by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall incur a fourth degree felony.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 20; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3220 - Violations—Vehicles or parts with mutilated, altered, destroyed or modified numbers; possession

Any person who voluntarily and knowingly possesses any motor part or vehicle with an erased, mutilated, altered, destroyed, detached or otherwise modified motor or serial number printed by the manufacturer or assigned by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Public Works shall incur a misdemeanor.
The mere possession of parts or vehicles with erased, mutilated, altered, destroyed, detached or otherwise modified numbers shall constitute prima facie evidence of the voluntary possession referred to in this section.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 21; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3220a - Violations—Vehicles with replaced identification

Any person who without having official use or authorization, voluntarily and knowingly possesses any part of or motor vehicle with a replacement motor or serial number to be used by the Puerto Rico Police, a municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico having Municipal Police, or by the Employment and Training Enterprises Corporation, as provided in § 3203a of this title, shall incur a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be penalized with a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or a term of imprisonment which shall not exceed six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
The mere possession of parts or vehicles with replacement identification numbers intended for use by the Puerto Rico Police, a municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico having municipal police, or by the Employment and Training Enterprises Corporation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the voluntary possession referred to in this section.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 21-A on Jan. 27, 2003, No. 72, § 3; Sept. 16, 2004, No. 332, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3221 - Violations—Furnishing false information or failure to furnish

Any person who, pursuant to the provisions in this chapter, is compelled to inform the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works or the Puerto Rico Police of certain facts and fails to do so or knowingly, or having reason to believe that it is false, furnishes it as true, shall incur a misdemeanor.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 22; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3222 - Violations—Cancellation or revocation of license, patent, permit or authorization

Any owner or administrator of an auto distributor, junkyard, auto repair and paint shop, vehicle key making or manufacturing business or vehicle inspection center who is convicted on different occasions for two (2) or more violations of the provisions of this chapter shall have his license, permit, patent or authorization that was issued to operate such business cancelled or revoked. This penalty shall be in addition to the penalty imposed for violating any of the provisions of this chapter.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 23.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3223 - Violations—Operating business with revoked or cancelled license, patent or authorization

Any owner or administrator who operates any of the businesses mentioned in § 3222 of this title after his/her license, permit, municipal license or authorization to operate the same has been revoked shall incur a misdemeanor.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 24; July 15, 1988, No. 104, § 2; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3224 - Violations—Input of false information to computer systems or files

Any person, official or public employee who directly or through an intermediary willingly enters, feeds or furnishes false information on motor vehicles to any physical government file or computer system, or willingly, on his own or through another person, eliminates, modifies or changes the information on motor vehicles appearing in the computer system or in any other physical government file, knowing that said acts are not proper shall incur a fourth degree felony.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 25; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3225 - Violations—Illegal authorization to export

Any natural or juridical person who violates the provisions in § 3208 of this title, the directors, officials, administrators, trustees or agents of said juridical person who authorized the export of a motor vehicle without complying with the requirements provided herein, or who did not comply with the obligations imposed by this chapter shall incur a fourth degree felony.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 26; Sept. 14, 2004, No. 282, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3225a - Advertising without holding a dealer’s license

Any natural or juridical person who, acting as a middleman as defined in this chapter, publishes an advertisement in a newspaper or uses signs or electronic media without holding a dealer license issued by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be guilty of a fourth-degree felony and punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 27-A on Sept. 1, 2010, No. 130, § 2; Sept. 19, 2011, No. 197, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3225b - Administrative inspections

Law enforcement officers are hereby empowered, together with the Department of Transportation and Public Works, to conduct administrative inspections of any establishment devoted to middleman operations as defined in this chapter. Provided, That any person operating any establishment without holding a proper dealer license shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 27-B on Sept. 1, 2010, No. 130, § 3; Sept. 19, 2011, No. 197, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3225c - Violations

For purposes of § 3225b of this title, each day in which a violation persists shall constitute a separate offense.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 27-C on Sept. 1, 2010, No. 130, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3226 - Payment of export fees

Any person who requests an export certificate referred to in § 3208 of this title shall cancel an Internal Revenue receipt in the amount of ten dollars ($10) for each vehicle or transaction.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, § 27.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 25 - Vehicular Property (§§ 3201 — 3227) › § 3227 - Exemption

Any new motor vehicle transshipped to Puerto Rico en route to its final destination, which is bonded under the Department of the Treasury and has not been owned in Puerto Rico, is hereby exempted from the application of this chapter and the regulations thereunder, provided that said vehicle is under the custody of a Free Trade Zone shipper or within the facilities of a bona fide importer or exporter who meets the local and federal bond requirements for such purposes or is exempted by law.
History —Aug. 5, 1987, No. 8, p. 612, added as § 28 on Mar. 3, 2002, No. 39, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter II - Basic Rule and Creation of Register (§§ 3502 — 3503) › § 3502 - Basic rule

No person may own, operate or conduct any legal business whatsoever over heavy construction or agricultural equipment units that are not duly registered at the Department of Transportation and Public Works, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations. Vehicles property of the government of the United States of America are hereby excluded from the provisions of this section.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 2.01, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter II - Basic Rule and Creation of Register (§§ 3502 — 3503) › § 3503 - Heavy Construction or Agricultural Equipment Register—Creation

Without prejudice to and without undermining the provisions and obligations contained in other laws, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be under the obligation to establish and keep updated a Register and an inventory of all heavy construction or agricultural equipment units imported into or presently in Puerto Rico.
The Register established by this subchapter shall contain all the information relative to the introduction, distribution, sale, transfer, exportation, disappearance, theft, destruction, misappropriation, seizure, abandonment, dismantlement, and substantial alteration of vehicles.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 2.02, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3504 - Registering units—Furnishing relevant information

The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Justice, the Insurance Commissioner, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Superintendent of the Puerto Rico Police shall be under the obligation to offer all the collaboration and to furnish all the relevant information that the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works may request for purposes of the Register provided for in this subchapter.
For the implementation of this Register, the officials mentioned above may provide the Department of Transportation and Public Works with technical assistance, personnel resources, equipment and funds. The Secretary is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with private entities and persons qualified to advise and collaborate in the establishment and operation of the Register.
The Secretary shall be under the obligation to establish and to begin using the Register not later than six (6) months from the date of effectiveness of this act.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.01, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3505 - Certificates of ownership—Authorization and [issuance]

No heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit may be registered for the first time nor may a certificate ownership be issued in connection therewith if the applicant or the person who has sold the unit does not present a receipt or document attesting to payment of the corresponding excises to the Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code and any applicable legislation. If the unit were to be sold in Puerto Rico to be delivered in any state or other territory of the United States or in any foreign country, the buyer may register the same in Puerto Rico by complying with the requirements established in the law, provided he/she posts a bond with the Secretary of the Department of the Treasury for the amount of the excises to be paid on the unit when introduced in Puerto Rico.
No person may introduce in Puerto Rico heavy construction or agricultural equipment units without having the corresponding document that shows ownership of the same, as provided further. No unit may be released from the docks after its arrival in Puerto Rico if the person introducing it does not present a document of ownership. In both cases, the Secretary may authorize the release of the unit from the docks as provided for in this chapter.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.02, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3506 - Certificates of ownership—Registers and indexes

The Secretary shall issue certificates of ownership for all heavy construction or agricultural equipment units in Puerto Rico and keep a Register of all certificates thus issued. The Secretary shall also organize and keep any indexes or registers that enable him/her to put in order the information concerning heavy construction or agricultural equipment pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, fiscal acts and public service acts.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.03, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3507 - Proof of ownership

(a) The following documents shall constitute proof of ownership of new heavy construction or agricultural equipment units:
(1) Seller’s invoice recognized before a notary, the signature of which is authenticated if the transaction took place outside of Puerto Rico.
(2) Manufacturer’s statement of origin.
(3) Any other document that, in the judgment of the Secretary, suffices to prove ownership of the unit, as established by regulation.
(b) The following documents shall constitute proof of ownership of used units:
(1) Title deed in those cases in which the unit comes from a state or a country that uses the title deed system. Said document must bear on its face the name of the applicant and also indicate whether the deed was transferred and whether it has or has had a lien. If there should be a lien, the same shall appear as cancelled, or in its default, it must include a certification from the entity that financed the purchase of the unit whereby the same authorizes the unit to be transferred to Puerto Rico.
If there is no title, a petition for authorization shall be procured from the Court of First Instance with notice to the Department of Justice. The petitioner shall pay the Secretary the corresponding fees for registering the lien ensuing from said financing, as provided further in this chapter.
(2) The bill of sale, recognized by a notary and the signature of which is authenticated, in those instances in which the unit comes from a state or a country that does not use the title deed system.
(3) Public auction document which duly identifies the authorized auctioneer.
(4) Document of sale from the [insurance] company.
(5) Any other document that, in the judgment of the Secretary, suffices to prove ownership of the vehicle, as established by regulation.
(c) The register shall contain the following information:
(1) A description of the vehicle, including the make, model, color, kind, use, unit’s serial number, and vehicle identification number (VIN).
(2) Name, home and mailing address, and social security number of the owner.
(3) Any act of alienation or lien in connection with the unit and its owner.
(4) Number issued to the unit.
(5) Annual license fees paid.
(6) Any other information needed to enforce the provisions of this chapter or any other applicable laws.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.04, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3508 - Registration by unit providers and dealers

Any person who engages in the sale of heavy construction or agricultural equipment units on retail and who sells, as part of a company, business, dealership or establishment, heavy construction or agricultural equipment units for a profit, shall be under the obligation to apply for, procure and obtain the registration and the certificate of ownership of every unit he/she sells, before or simultaneously with the completion of the sale. All applications to that effect shall be submitted on the form that the Secretary authorizes for those purposes.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.05, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3509 - Requests for registration, [issuance] of certification; change of address

(a) All applications for registration of a vehicle or hauling unit into the register, as well as all applications for issue of certificate of ownership, shall be submitted on the form provided by the Secretary for such purposes. All the information needed for duly registering or issuing the certificate of ownership shall be recorded on said form.
(b) All owners of registered units shall be under the obligation to give written notice to the Secretary of any change of address within thirty (30) days following the date of said change by using the form provided by the Secretary for such purposes. Noncompliance with this subsection shall amount to an administrative fault and entail a fine of fifty dollars ($50).
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.06, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3510 - Authority of the Secretary to regulate

The Secretary is hereby conferred the authority to regulate on all matters concerning the register and the documentation necessary for the registration of any heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit to be final. The Secretary is authorized to determine by regulation the amount to be paid by the party requesting the recording of any lien on the register. The money collected on this account shall be deposited in its entirety into the General Fund.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.07, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3511 - Certificate of ownership and license plate number

Once the registration of a unit has been accepted, the Secretary shall issue to the owner, after the latter has paid the corresponding fees, a license plate number and a certificate of ownership, which shall bear its date of issue; the number of title deed assigned; the name, address and social security number of the owner; the names and addresses of the persons who has placed liens on said unit; and a complete description of the same, including the make, the model and the vehicle identification number (VIN), as well as any other information the Secretary deems convenient or necessary to identify the unit or its registration. All transactions in connection with the ownership of the unit shall be recorded on the back of the certificate, after any possible liens have been cancelled and the payment of fees updated. The Secretary shall provide on the reverse of the certificate of ownership a form to execute the transfer or reassignment of the same, pursuant to the requirements established in this chapter.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.08, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3512 - Transfer—Generally

All transfers of registered heavy construction or agricultural equipment units shall be made pursuant to the following norms:
(a) The transfer shall be authorized by the signature or mark of the owner of the unit and of the acquirer on the back of the certificate of ownership, thus stating the will of the owner to transfer ownership of the unit to the acquirer, and the will of the acquirer to accept said property and have the unit registered to his/her name and social security number into the register. The address of the acquirer shall also be stated.
(b) The transfer and acceptance shall be made under oath or by a sworn statement before a notary, an internal revenue collector or the employee onto whom the latter delegates expressly in writing or an official expressly authorized by the Secretary for this purpose.
(c) If it were not possible to make the transfer, be it because the registered owner is missing, refuses to sign or dies before completing the formalization of the transfer, the Secretary shall carry out the formalization of the transfer, so long as this fact is expressly stated on an authentic document to the satisfaction of the Secretary, for which purposes a sworn statement by the applicant shall be required.
(d) Once the transfer document has been formalized, the same shall be filed with the Department by the new acquirer within thirty (30) days following said formalization. The Secretary shall issue a certificate of ownership for the acquirer. Should this be done within said term, an additional amount of ten dollars ($10) shall be paid for each month in which he/she fails to do so [sic]. To compute said charge, the date on which said transfer was formalized shall be taken as base. This charge shall be paid via an internal revenue voucher.
(e) Once the transfer has been formalized as stated above, the Secretary shall proceed to register the same and make note of those modifications resulting from the transaction.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.09, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3513 - Transfer—Effects

The transfer of a unit conducted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall have the following effects:
(a) The Secretary shall issue to all registered acquirers of heavy construction or agricultural equipment units a certificate of ownership where the fact that they are the new owners of the units shall be recorded. Said certificate of ownership shall not be issued until the transfer has been recorded into the register, but its effects shall be retroactive to the date on which the transfer document was formalized.
(b) The transfer shall not cancel or modify the liens placed on the unit.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.10, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3514 - Transfer—Cases in which registration shall be refused

The Secretary shall refuse to register a heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit transfer in the following cases:
(a) When said registration results in a violation of this chapter or any other applicable law or regulation.
(b) When the information provided in the transfer document or documents is false or insufficient.
(c) When the transfer requirements established in this chapter are not met.
(d) When the transfer registration fees have not been paid or when there is any kind of lien placed on the unit.
In any case in which the requirements necessary to register the transfer have not been met, the Secretary shall communicate said fact to the interested parties in writing.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.11, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter III - Ownership and Register (§§ 3504 — 3515) › § 3515 - Administrative hearings

In all those cases in which, by virtue of this chapter, the Secretary may or should grant a hearing to any person who could be directly affected by a decision of the former, the Secretary shall have, among others, the following authorities:
(a) To delegate his/her authority onto any official or officials under his/her command.
(b) To hold the number of hearings he/she deems necessary.
(c) To administer oaths, summon and examine witnesses, take testimonies, make inquiries, make investigations and on-site inspections, and require the presentation of books and documents or copies or excerpts thereof as he/she deems necessary.
(d) The Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico shall have jurisdiction to hold in contempt any person who, while at an administrative hearing, conducts him/herself in a disorderly manner, is disrespectful toward the Secretary or his/her delegate, refuses to take oath or to testify, or refuses to answer any question in connection with an administrative hearing, disregards a subpoena to appear before the Secretary or his/her delegate, refuses to present any book or document when so ordered or conceals or destroys said books or documents, leaves the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico or absconds with the purpose of evading being served a subpoena.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 3.12, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 26 - Mandatory Registration and Protection of Heavy Equipment of Puerto Rico (§§ 3501 — 3539) › Subchapter IV - Payment of Fees (§§ 3516 — 3518) › § 3516 - Procedure

All owners of heavy construction or agricultural equipment units subject to the payment of annual fees, shall pay at any internal revenue collections office of any municipality, at the place designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, or at the place designated by the Secretary, the fees corresponding to their unit for each year as these are indicated on the notice to be sent by the Secretary for such purposes. The said fees shall be paid in advance for the entire year or a part thereof if due before the date of payment, fractions of a month being taken as if they were a full month. Upon receipt of the corresponding fees, the collector shall issue a payment certification for the unit, to consist of the notice form issued by the Secretary duly annotated and signed by the collector so as to indicate that the fees have been paid.
Payment vouchers, internal revenue stamps, or any other payment mechanism established by the Secretary of the Treasury shall be used in cases concerning fees for issuing a duplicate of a certificate of ownership, for unit transfers, and for all other fees charged.
The amount of the fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be covered into the General Fund.
The Secretary of the Department of the Treasury may delegate the function of collecting fees [to] the Secretary.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 4.01, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.