P.R. Laws tit. 9, § 5013
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.