reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
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) › § 3517 - Fees to be paid

As to the fees to be paid under this chapter, the following norms shall be followed.
For each unit, the following fees shall be paid:
(a) and license plate $ 100Initial registration and [issuance] of certificate of ownership
(b) Annually $ 85
(c) Registration of property transfer $ 50
(d) ownership, or license plate $ 25Duplicate of any kind of registration, certificate of
(e) Certificates of exportation $ 50
The Secretary shall dictate the rules and regulations necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter, which shall have force of law upon their promulgation.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 4.02, 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 IV - Payment of Fees (§§ 3516 — 3518) › § 3518 - Units exempted from payment

The Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, public corporations and municipalities are hereby exempted from the payment of fees on units they own. Said units shall be duly registered, and except for the payment of fees, all requirements under this chapter shall be met. Farmers are also exempted from the payment of fees, save for the annual eighty-five dollar ($85) fee.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 4.03, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3519 - Construction of public works

In any construction of a public work at any of the branches of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, public corporations and municipalities in which heavy construction or agricultural equipment units are used, the owner (the agency, instrumentality or municipality) shall require that the general contractors, the subcontractors and the suppliers submit evidence of the registration and ownership of each unit and that they provide proof of compliance with all the provisions of this chapter.
In the event the general contractor or a subcontractor or supplier is not fully complying with all the provisions of this chapter or is unable to prove so, the owner shall be authorized to withhold payment of any invoice or certification under the construction contract, until it is proven that said noncompliance has been remedied.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.01, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3520 - Interagency Coordinating Board

The “Interagency Board to Fight the Illegal Appropriation of Automobiles” created under §§ 3201 et seq. of this title, composed by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Police Superintendent, the Insurance Commissioner, and the Secretary of Justice, shall have in respect of heavy construction or agricultural equipment units the same functions, duties, obligations and responsibilities as they do in respect of motor vehicles as imposed under §§ 3201 et seq. of this title.
In addition to the five (5) ex officio members mentioned above, the Board shall be constituted by two (2) additional persons, to be selected and appointed by consensus among the officials mentioned herein, which persons shall represents sectors with an interest on this issue and shall not earn emoluments or per diems.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.02, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3521 - Obligations—Secretary of Transportation and Public Works

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall provide to the Puerto Rico Police the information in its power in connection with heavy construction or agricultural equipment units registered at the Department of Transportation and Public Works, in order for this body to be able to fulfill its duty to protect property. In order to discharge this task, the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall provide for the information systems of his/her agency to be interlinked with those of the Puerto Rico Police and shall authorize the installation of electronic terminals through which the Police shall obtain in a continuous manner, twenty-four (24) hours a day, the information contained in the heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit Register.
This information shall include, among other details, the following:
(1) A description of the unit, including the make, year, model or type, color, VIN, register number, type of engine, and any other identification numbers or marks of the unit or its parts.
(2) Name and address of the selling company, or the entity or person who sells or otherwise transfers, alienates or places a lien on the unit.
(3) Name and address of the owner or acquirer of the unit.
(4) Date of the first registration into the Register of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.
(5) Kind of transaction conducted, date of purchase, transfer or seizure, and date of registration of these transactions.
(6) Annual license fees paid and fiscal year covered by the payment of said fees.
(7) Kind of financing, name and address of the financing company or entity and place of registration of the financing, if any.
(8) Name and address of the [insurance] company, if any.
(9) Any other information in its power that is pertinent to discharge its obligations under this chapter.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.03, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3522 - Obligations—Secretary of the Treasury

The Secretary of the Treasury shall provide to the Secretary the information in his/her power so as to enable the Department of Transportation and Public Works to incorporate into the Register, data on all heavy construction or agricultural equipment units introduced in Puerto Rico.
This information shall include, among other details, the following:
(1) Name and address of the sender of the unit and place of origin.
(2) Name and address of the recipient of the unit.
(3) A description of the unit, including the make, year, model or type, color, VIN, register number, type of engine, and any other identification number or mark of the unit or its parts.
(4) Date of arrival to Puerto Rico, means of transportation indicating the name of the transportation company and its bill of lading.
(5) Date of delivery to the recipient or his/her representative.
(6) Amount paid in excises, if any, date of payment, and name of the person or entity that made the payment.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.04, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3523 - Obligations—Shipping transporters

Any person or enterprise engaged in maritime or air transportation between Puerto Rico and abroad shall have the following obligations:
(1) To notify the Puerto Rico Police of any request for services to transport abroad heavy construction or agricultural equipment units, along with the following information:
(a) Name and address of the person requesting the service.
(b) Name and address of the owner of the unit.
(c) A description of the unit, including the make, year, model or type, color, VIN, register number, type of motor, and any other identification marks or numbers of the unit or its parts.
(d) Name and address, after having presented appropriate identification, of the person receiving the unit and his/her relationship with the recipient.
(2) To obtain from the person requesting the transportation services as a condition for the exportation, a certification from the Police or the Secretary attesting that there is no notice recorded on the Register which affects the exportation of the unit. To issue a certification, the Police may inspect the unit at the place where it is deposited.
(3) To maintain a register of all heavy construction or agricultural equipment units introduced in Puerto Rico using for this end his or her transportation facilities; the same information as required in subsection (1) of this section shall be recorded in said register.
The Secretary or the Puerto Rico Police may demand that any natural or juridical person requesting transportation to place a bond as a previous condition to the authorization to ship heavy construction or agricultural equipment units when in doubt as to its ownership or when the unit is under detention, inspection or retention pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of this Act [sic].
Transportation enterprises or persons who receive heavy construction or agricultural equipment units in transit for their transfer and exportation are hereby exempted from the obligations imposed by this Section. Units shall be understood to be in transit for its transfer and exportation when said goods are consigned to persons abroad and they remain under the custody of the carrier or customs or are deposited in the warehouses of the shipping entity or in a bonded warehouse to be shipped or they are shipped to a place outside of Puerto Rico within one hundred twenty (120) days as of the date of their introduction in the Island.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.05, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3524 - Obligations—Insurance companies

Without prejudice or impairment of the provisions and obligations contained in other laws, all [insurance] companies authorized to conduct business in Puerto Rico shall have the following obligations:
(1) To conduct a physical inspection of all heavy construction or agricultural equipment units they intend to insure. To this effect, insurers shall maintain in their records written proof of said inspection, which shall certify that the information contained in the policy has been directly checked from the unit to be insured.
(2) To notify the Puerto Rico Police immediately of any unit reported as missing, stolen or illegally appropriated and of all claims made on account of the unit being missing, stolen or illegally appropriated.
(3) To hand over to the Puerto Rico Police the certificates pertaining to insured units in connection with which a claim has been lodged for illegal appropriation and whose possession or ownership has been transferred to the insurer.
(4) To register to their name into the Heavy Construction or Agricultural Equipment Unit Register of the Department of Transportation and Public Works all units or salvaged units that become their property for any reason, in order for this datum to be incorporated into the Register.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.06, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3525 - Obligations—Puerto Rico Police; margin notes

The Puerto Rico Police shall notify the Secretary and the latter shall incorporate immediately on the margin of the unit’s registration in the Register a notice or note on all units reported as missing, stolen, illegally appropriated, under investigation, seized or exported. The number of the complaint at the Police shall also be noted, as well as the name and address of the complainant or the person claiming the unit or the seizure record number, as the case may be.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.07, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3526 - Obligations—Heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit owners

All unit owners, whether natural or juridical persons, shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) Report to the Puerto Rico Police:
(a) When a unit they own has been illegally appropriated, stolen, lost, is missing, or has been destructed or exported. This report shall be made immediately after they become aware of said situation by using the forms to be prepared and provided by the Puerto Rico Police in coordination with the Department of Transportation and Public Works, and should these not be available, in original and two (2) copies, in the most appropriate manner. On said report, the injured party shall provide a detailed description of the unit, as well as an account of the circumstances surrounding these facts.
(2) To hand over to the Department of Transportation and Public Works the ownership certificates and any other document that proves ownership of a unit owned by them when the same has been destroyed, stolen, illegally appropriated, exported or sold in parts or when the owners have abandoned the unit because it is unserviceable.
(3) To notify the Puerto Rico Police and the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the financial institution and the insuring company, if any, of the recovery of any stolen or illegally appropriated unit. This notice shall be given on or before ten (10) days have elapsed from the recovery.
(4) To file an application with the Puerto Rico Police and the Department of Transportation and Public Works for re-registering or re-identifying any unit when necessary and applicable under the provisions of this chapter.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.08, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3527 - Detention, inspection, and retention to investigate

Law enforcement officers are hereby authorized to detain and inspect and retain for investigation for a reasonably necessary period of time not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days, any unit when one (1) or more of the circumstances mentioned below exist:
(1) The unit has been reported as illegally appropriated, stolen, missing, destroyed, or exported.
(2) Any one of the digits in the serial or vehicle identification number of the unit or of indispensable parts thereof that are in plain sight have been erased, mutilated, altered, substituted, superimposed, detached, adapted or otherwise modified.
(3) The information contained in the certificate of ownership or any other document is different from or in any substantial aspect does not coincide with the physical description of the unit.
(4) When indispensable unit parts that are in plain sight do not correspond to the unit in question and the owner or holder is unable to explain the origin of said parts satisfactorily.
(5) When the unit is being hauled, whether by a tow truck or other vehicle, and there are well-founded motives to believe that the unit in question is a missing, stolen or illegally appropriated unit, and the person hauling the same is unable to explain the reasons for such haul and the authorization to do so.
(6) The unit does not appear as duly registered pursuant to what is established in this chapter at the Department of Transportation and Public Works and said situation is known.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.09, 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 V - Coordination and Obligations of Government Agencies or Other Entities Concerned (§§ 3519 — 3528) › § 3528 - Access to information

The Secretary may provide information by restricted computer access to the heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit system, to any [insurance] company or interested person who in the regular course of business engages in obtaining and refining information concerning these units, or to a banking or financing institution duly authorized to conduct business in Puerto Rico pursuant to the laws applicable thereto, exclusively in relation to records, liens and notes existing on the register established by the Secretary.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 5.10, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3529 - Violation of basic rule

Any person who possesses, operates, sells, buys, exports or conducts or attempts to conduct any legal business in relation to heavy construction or agricultural equipment units not duly registered at the Department of Transportation and Public Works pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and applicable regulations, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be punished for each omission or act incurred, by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months, a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or a combination of both, at the discretion of the court.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.01, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3530 - Illegal appropriation; punishment

Any person who illegally appropriates without violence or intimidation any heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit; punishment, belonging to another person, shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of ten (10) years.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.02, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3531 - Illegal commerce; punishment

Any person who possesses, buys, receives, stores, conceals, transports, retains or disposes by sale, barter, or otherwise, of a heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit with the knowledge that the same was obtained through illegal appropriation, theft, extortion or any other unlawful manner, shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of six (6) years. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty established may be increased up to a maximum of ten (10) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, the same may be reduced down to a minimum of four (4) years. The court may impose the penalty of restitution in addition to the penalty of imprisonment established herein, or both. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty established may be increased up to a maximum of twelve (12) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, the same may be reduced down to a minimum of six (6) years. The court may impose the penalty of restitution in addition to the penalty of imprisonment established.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.03, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3532 - Admissible inferences

It may be inferred that the person charged had personal knowledge of the fact that the unit had been acquired by unlawful means when one (1) or more of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The price paid for the same is so ridiculous or the payment conditions are so beneficial or under such circumstances that the acquirer should have reasonably concluded that it was a good obtained by fraudulent means.
(2) The seller or assignor is underage and his or her parents, tutors or guardians had not consented to the transaction conducted.
(3) When the person charged is unable to show authentic proof of the price paid and when and from whom he or she acquired the unit or when the transaction was conducted.
(4) When the person charged, due to his or knowledge, experience, profession, work or trade he or she practices should have reasonably known that it was a unit acquired by unlawful means.
(5) When the unit identification numbers show modifications or alterations or do not correspond to the unit.
(6) The unit is acquired from a person who is or has been linked to criminal activities and the circumstances under which it is acquired would have led a prudent and reasonable person to believe that it was property acquired by unlawful means.
(7) When the unit is under the possession and control of a person who is unable to prove his or her right to drive it or to have it under his/her possession, when the unit has been reported as missing, stolen, illegally appropriated, or otherwise unlawfully removed from the person who owns the unit.
(8) When at the time of detention, the unit was being used in the commission of a criminal act.
(9) When the person charged flees and abandons the unit when detained by a law enforcement officer.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.04, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3533 - Identification numbers; mutilation, alteration, destruction, or modification

Any persons who willingly erase, mutilate, cover, alter, destroy, remove, detach or in any other way modify the identification numbers imprinted by the manufacturer or maker or those assigned by the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works on a heavy construction or agricultural equipment unit, shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of one (1) year and eight (8) months. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty established may be increased up to a maximum of three (3) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, the same may be reduced down to a minimum of one (1) year and three (3) months.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.05, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3534 - Providing false information or not providing information

Any persons who by virtue of the provisions of this chapter are under the obligation to report certain facts to the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works or to the Puerto Rico Police and knowingly do not do so or provide false information, or provide information as true having reason to believe that it is false, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be punished for each omission or act incurred, by imprisonment for a term not to exceed six (6) months, a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or a combination of both, at the discretion of the court.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.06, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3535 - Entry of false information into the computer system or records

Any persons or public employees or officials who directly or through an intermediary willingly enter, feed or provide false information for any physical government record for heavy construction or agricultural equipment units or to any computer system, or who willingly by themselves or through another person eliminate, modify or change the information contained in the computer system or in any physical government record for heavy construction or agricultural equipment units with the knowledge that these acts are inappropriate shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of four (4) years. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty established may be increased up to a maximum of six (6) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, the same may be reduced down to a minimum of two (2) years.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.07, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3536 - Illegal authorization to export

Any natural or juridical persons, the directors, officers, administrators, trustees or agents of said juridical persons who had authorized the exportation of heavy construction or agricultural equipment units without meeting the requirements provided herein or without meeting the obligations imposed by this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction be punished for each omission or act incurred by imprisonment for a fixed term of three (3) years. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty established may be increased up to a maximum of five (5) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, the same may be reduced down to a maximum of one (1) year.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.08, 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 VI - Violations and Penalties (§§ 3529 — 3537) › § 3537 - Administrative fines

The Secretary is hereby conferred the authority to impose administrative fines not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), for any violation of this chapter which has not been typified previously, or for any violation of the norms or regulations that the Secretary promulgates hereunder.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 6.09, 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 VII - Special Provisions (§§ 3538 — 3539) › § 3538 - Proviso

The application of the administrative punishments established by virtue of this chapter shall not impede or impair in any way the capability to bring the pertinent civil and/or criminal actions.
None of the provisions of this chapter prescribing penalties shall be construed to impede the bringing of any action, prosecution, sentence or punishment pursuant to any other provision of general or special penal or civil law.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 7.02, 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 VII - Special Provisions (§§ 3538 — 3539) › § 3539 - Notice and publicity

The Secretary shall, from the date of approval of this act to the date of its effectiveness, proceed to notify citizens of the provisions thereof by using the communications media he/she deems pertinent for this purpose, but in any case he/she shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation a concise account summarizing the main provisions of this chapter.
In addition, he/she shall publish an informational brochure that shall contain an account of all the provisions of this chapter, even though he/she may summarize them briefly.
History —Sept. 30, 2004, No. 531, § 7.03, eff. 6 months after Sept. 30, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5002 - Basic rule

No vehicle, motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer that is not duly authorized therefore by the Secretary, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall operate on the public highways. Vehicles belonging to the Government of the United States of America are hereby exempted from the provisions of this section.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.01; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2, 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 I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5003 - Ownership certificates; registries and [indexes]

The Secretary shall issue certificates of title for every motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer in Puerto Rico and shall keep a registry of all certificates issued. In addition he/she shall organize and keep any indexes or registries that will facilitate the classification of information on motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers, according to the provisions of this chapter, of the fiscal laws, or of §§ 1001 et seq. of Title 27, known as the “Puerto Rico Public Service Act”.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.02; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5004 - Ownership certificates; registries and [indexes]—Authorization and [issuance]

No motor vehicle shall be registered for the first time nor shall an ownership certificate be issued for any motor vehicle if the applicant or the person who sold the motor vehicle fails to present a receipt or document attesting to having paid the corresponding excise taxes to the Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable legislation. When a motor vehicle is 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 it in Puerto Rico, in compliance with the requirements established by law, provided he/she posts a bond to the Secretary of the Treasury in the amount of the excise taxes that to be paid when the motor vehicle is introduced to Puerto Rico.
No person shall introduce any motor vehicle whatsoever in Puerto Rico without the corresponding documents attesting to the title thereof, as provided below. No vehicle may be removed from the docks after its arrival in Puerto Rico unless the person who introduces it presents the ownership document. In both cases, the Secretary may authorize the removal of a motor vehicle from the docks, as provided in § 5009 of this title.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.03; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2, 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 I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5005 - Proof of title of motor vehicles

(a) The following documents shall constitute proof of title of vehicles or new motor vehicles:
(1) Vendor’s bill of sale attested before a notary public, if the transaction was executed outside of Puerto Rico.
(2) Manufacturer’s statement of origin issued by the manufacturer.
(3) Any other document that, in the judgment of the Secretary, is sufficient to prove title to the vehicle or motor vehicle, as established by regulations.
(b) The following documents shall constitute proof of title of used vehicles:
(1) Proof of title, for those cases in which the vehicle or motor vehicle comes from a state or country that uses the title system. Said document must show on its face, the name of the applicant, as well as an indication as to whether the title was transferred and whether a lien existed or exists. In case of a lien, it must appear as cancelled, or, in its defect, shall include a certification from the entity that financed the purchase of the vehicle or motor vehicle, establishing his/her authority for the vehicle or motor vehicle to be transferred to Puerto Rico. In the event of not having title, an application must be filed before the Court of First Instance for the authorization of the registration with notice to the Office of the Prosecutor and the Department. The petitioner shall pay the corresponding fees to the Secretary for the registration of the lien for said financing, as subsequently provided in this chapter.
(2) Registration document with the Seal of the State, and the bill of sale authenticated before a notary, whose signature is verified, for those cases in which the vehicle originates from a State or country that does not use the system of certificates of title.
(3) Document of public auction that duly identifies the authorized bidder.
(4) Certificate of release.
(5) Insurance company’s bill of sale.
(6) Any other document that, in the judgment of the Secretary, is sufficient to prove title to the vehicle or motor vehicle, as established through regulations.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.04; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2, 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 I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5007 - Applications for registration, issuance of certificate, change of address

(a) Every application for the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer in the Registry, as well as any application for the [issuance] of a certificate of title, shall be made on the form provided for such a purpose by the Secretary. All the information needed for the proper registration or [issuance] of the title of the motor vehicles or trailers pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be consigned on the form.
(b) Every owner of a registered motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer shall be bound to notify the Secretary in writing of any change of address, on the form provided for such purpose by the Secretary, within thirty (30) days following said change. Failure to comply with this subsection shall be deemed an administrative fault, which shall entail a fifty-dollar ($50) fine.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.06; Oct. 9, 2000, No. 414, § 9; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5008 - Heavy motor vehicles

Every application for the registration of a heavy motor vehicle with or without a trailer, or semi-trailer, commercial motor vehicles, light trucks and heavy trucks, as well as the permit for the same issued by the Secretary, shall state the weight of the unloaded vehicle and the maximum loaded capacity thereof, according to its factory specifications or as provided by the Secretary by regulations.
This information shall also be consigned on the left and right side of every heavy motor vehicle. It shall be an administrative fault which shall bring about a fine of five hundred dollars ($500), to declare a different capacity, whether greater or lesser, for a heavy motor vehicle with or without a trailer or semitrailer, commercial motor vehicles, light or heavy trucks for a capacity that is less or more than that for which is authorized according to its factory specifications or as provided by the Secretary by regulations. Excepted from this provision are trailers or tractors, which shall only indicate the weight of the unit, according to the document of the manufacturer.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.07; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2, 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 I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5008a - Trucks

To identify trucks manufactured to carry aggregate material, a different license plate shall be used, whose numbering shall begin with the letters “TA”, followed by four numbers. Each license plate, in turn, shall be identified by one of the following categories, as applicable:
(a) Dump truck.
(b) Transfer dump truck.
(c) Pup trailer.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 2.07A on Nov. 1, 2010, No. 160, § 2, eff. 90 days after Nov. 1, 2010.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5009 - Provisional registration of vehicles

The Secretary shall establish a provisional registry of vehicles that shall be authorized to travel on the public roads for a period that shall not exceed three (3) months, without having to comply with the requirement of the ownership certificate referred to in § 5004 of this title. No vehicle may be registered without having first paid the corresponding excise taxes, pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable fiscal laws.
The owners of the vehicles thus registered must present said ownership certificate during said three (3) -month period. Once said period has elapsed without complying with said requirement, the vehicle cannot travel on the public roads. The driver of any vehicle that travels on the public roads once the term of three (3) months established in this section has expired, and has not complied with the requirement of presenting the ownership certificate, shall incur an administrative fault and shall be sanctioned with a fifty-dollar ($50) fine.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.08; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2; July 18, 2008, No. 124, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5009b - Registry

The Secretary shall establish and keep an updated database of all antique, classic, or modified classic motorcycles in Puerto Rico. For such purposes, every antique, classic, or modified classic motorcycle shall be issued a special license plate or tag in accordance with § 5027 of this title; such registry shall include the following information:
(1) A description of antique, classic, or modified classic motorcycles including: make, model, color, type, effective horsepower, serial number, and the vehicle identification number.
(2) Name, street, and mailing addresses, and the driver’s license number of the owner.
(3) Special license plate or tag number.
(4) Any other information required by regulations that may be necessary to comply with the provisions of this chapter, or any other applicable laws.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, added as § 2.08B on June 13, 2012, No. 111, § 3, eff. 180 days after June 13, 2012.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5010 - Power of the Secretary to regulate

The Secretary shall have the power to regulate all matters pertaining to the issuance, provisional registration, and to the documentation he/she may deem necessary for the final registration of any motor vehicle or trailer with the Office of Drivers Services (DISCO, Spanish acronym). The Secretary is hereby authorized to determine, through regulations, the amount the petitioner must pay for listing any lien in the Registry of Motor Vehicles and Trailers of the Department. The money collected on said account shall be deposited in its totality in a Special Fund devoted to improving the services, facilities and mechanization systems of DISCO. Those liens for which the way and manner in which the payment is to be made is provided by law are exempt from this provision. Provided, that for Fiscal Year 2014-2015, of the funds collected in accordance with this section and § 5035 of this title, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) shall be transferred to the Legal Liability Fund.
The Secretary may authorize the receipt or issue of any document required or allowed under the provisions of this chapter, in Spanish or English, according to his/her determination of the needs or best interests of the Department or its users, or by request of the interested party, as provided by regulations.
The Secretary shall be empowered to regulate all matters concerning the concession and registration, and to the documentation he/she deems necessary for the final registration of any all-terrain or four-track vehicle in the register.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.09; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2; July 1, 2014, No. 78, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5011 - Certificate of title and motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer license

Once the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer has been accepted, the Secretary shall issue a certificate of title to the owner, upon payment of the corresponding fees, on which the date of issue, the assigned title number, the name, address, and Social Security number of the owner, the names and addressees of persons holding liens on said motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer and a complete description thereof, including the make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN), as well as any other information that the Secretary deems convenient or necessary to identify these for their registration. This certificate shall be known as the title of the vehicle, as the case may be. Every transaction regarding the ownership of the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer shall be made on the back of the certificate, upon cancellation of the liens that may exist and with the corresponding fees. On the back of the certificate of title the Secretary shall provide a form to execute the transfer or reassignment thereof, pursuant to the requirements established in this chapter.
In addition to the certificate of title, the Secretary shall issue a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer license by request of the titleholder of the vehicle, which, upon payment of the corresponding fees, shall constitute the authorization to travel on the public highways of Puerto Rico. This printed license, a legible photocopy thereof, or a digitalized card shall be kept continuously in the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, or carried by the person who drives the same. The legible photocopy or the digitalized card shall not be valid to execute any transactions of the vehicles.
The license granted for motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers to travel on the public highways shall bear a date of issue and expiration.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.10; Oct. 9, 2000, No. 414, § 10; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE NINE - Highways and Traffic (§§ 1-8 — 5725) › Chapter 27 - Vehicle and Traffic Law (2000) › Subchapter I - Definitions; Registry of Motor Vehicles, Trailers or Semi-Trailers, and Authorization to Operate on Public Roads (§§ 5001 — 5044) › § 5013 - Provisional license to operate motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers imported for sale

Prior to the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer, whether new or used, the Secretary may authorize these to travel on the public highways with a provisional license.
The provisional license shall be valid until the final registration of the motor vehicle at the Department, and shall not exceed thirteen (13) months and be kept continuously in the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer. The vendor shall be bound to indicate the date of sale in the space provided for such purpose in the provisional license, and shall register the motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer that is sold in the Department within fifteen (15) days after the sale. Upon expiration of said term, said motor vehicle, trailer or semi-trailer may not travel on the public highways if it has not been registered at the Department.
The provisional licenses shall be authorized solely for those new or used motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers that are imported or destined for sale and have not been previously registered in Puerto Rico and under those other circumstances authorized by this chapter. Together with the provisional license, the Secretary shall authorize the corresponding license plates, which may be used during the effectiveness of the license, subject to its terms.
The Secretary shall determine and promulgate through regulations, under the provisions of this chapter, and in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, all matters concerning the [issuance], characteristics, duration and use of the provisional licenses and corresponding license plates. Said provisional licenses and license plates shall be issued solely to new or used motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers sold by persons engaged in the sale of motor vehicles, trailers or semi-trailers, as provided in this chapter. In case of noncompliance, the Secretary or authorized representative shall take the necessary corrective measures.
When a new or used motor vehicle is acquired by a concessionaire of the Commission to be devoted to public service, it may travel with the authorization to replace the one issued by said Commission. Said authorization shall serve as a provisional license until a replacement is finally issued by the Department.
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 2.12; June 3, 2004, No. 132, § 2; Aug. 19, 2005, No. 57, § 2.