2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FOUR - Health and Sanitation (§§ 1 — 15010) › PART V - Controlled Substances (§§ 2101 — 2608) › Chapter 111 - Controlled Substances Act of Puerto Rico (§§ 2101 — 2608) › Subchapter V - Administrative and Other Provisions (§§ 2501 — 2523) › § 2516 - Suspension or revocation of license to drive motor vehicles and license to carry firearms

No person who has been convicted of a crime under this chapter or of any law of the United States or of any state, in connection with narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant or stimulant substances, as well as that of any foreign country and no person who has been declared addicted to narcotic drugs, may obtain a license from the corresponding authority to drive any kind of motor vehicle nor to hold, possess or carry firearms for a term of five (5) years after serving the sentence imposed for said conviction or after the date of the declaration. Officers or public employees in charge of issuing said license shall be prevented from extending them whenever any of the circumstances expressed above may concur in the applicant [sic] for the license and any such licenses which have been issued prior to the conviction or declaration that the person is addicted to narcotic drugs, shall immediately be cancelled by the corresponding authority.
Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in this section, the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administrator may, upon the request of an interested party, render ineffective the prohibition that a license to drive a motor vehicle may be issued to one of said persons, provided it is shown to his satisfaction that the person is reasonably rehabilitated, that the license has been suspended or cancelled for a period of not less than six (6) months and that the license requested is necessary so that the person may lawfully carry out his work or trade.
In the case of participants of the rehabilitation program under the jurisdiction of drug courts, judges may have discretion to release the prohibition contained in the first paragraph of this section, provided the participant shows the court that he is reasonably complying with conditions imposed upon same and that said person needs said license to lawfully comply with them.
The presentation of the certificate from the Mental Health and Addiction Services Administrator granting a person a waiver from the prohibition on possessing a license to drive a motor vehicle shall release the employee or officer issuing it from responsibility.
As used in this section, the phrase “who has been convicted for any crime” shall include the act of driving a motor vehicle under the effect[s] of controlled substances and any violation to the Federal Controlled Substances Act (Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, Title II). It also includes the determination in all cases in which minors are accused as adults or minors, as well as the determinations of a Court of First Instance, Minors Part, that the minor has incurred an offense.
Said term of suspension of not less than six (6) months shall also be applicable to minors who have not yet obtained their driver’s license, not having the age established by law. The suspension shall [begin from] the date the minor applies for the issue of the license.
The term of suspension or cancellation of said driver’s license shall be concurrent with any term of imprisonment imposed; however, if the penalty imposed on the person convicted or who has incurred an offense is less than six (6) months, then the term of suspension or cancellation of license must be completed out of prison.
History —June 23, 1971, No. 4, p. 526, § 516; Sept. 18, 1992, No. 71, § 1; Mar. 31, 1993, No. 4, § 1; Sept. 1, 2000, No. 297, § 1.