Guide to Driving In Puerto Rico - Drive Safe in Puerto Rico

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Puerto Rico and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

25 mph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

45 mph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

55-65 mph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 80mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Puerto Rico on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Puerto Rico is USD $
urban
To rent a car is  23 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Puerto Rico 0.86 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico
Pocket guide to driving in Puerto Rico
Profile:
Puerto Rico
San Juan
USD $
Driving in Puerto Rico
SPEED: (mph)
25
45
55-65
Speed limit in Puerto Rico
Holiday:
Rush hour in Puerto Rico
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Puerto Rico
FUEL:
0.86
0.75
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Puerto Rico
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
23
Min driving age in Puerto Rico
DRINK:
80mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Puerto Rico
EMERGENCY:
911
Emergency phone number in Puerto Rico
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Puerto Rico
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Puerto Rico
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Puerto Rico

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Puerto Rico?

To begin with you need to understand that with nearly 4m inhabitants, Puerto Rico lays claim to being the 51st state of the US and much of the way of life there is similar to other Hispanic influenced states on the mainland. As in the US, you'll drive on the right in Puerto Rico. With so many people on a small island, the roads can get busy, so in the cities try to avoid driving during the rush hour times of 8 AM – 10 AM and 4 PM - 6 PM as traffic is always bad then.

Roads in the countryside can be quite dangerous because they have narrow bends and local drivers don't always slow down. Driving defensively is a good idea with a warning honk just as you turn a corner. Other roads may only have one-and-a-half lanes so proceed carefully. Always have a good map or rent a low cost satellite navigation system from us as signs can be few and far between. It's highly recommended that you get a car with air conditioning as it is always hot and humid in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Map

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 0.75

€ 0.86

Oct , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 0.88

Sep , 2024

€ 0.73

€ 0.85

Aug , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 0.91

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Puerto Rico is a heavily populated island and as such, parking is often at a premium. This means in effect that there is not much of it and, because demand is so high, paid parking can be expensive.
 
Paid parking
 
Paid parking can be expensive, especially where it's in high demand such as in the cities. There, it's best to choose a municipal garage to park in but check out the charges carefully; a fixed daily fee can often work out cheaper than a couple of hours. 
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is done by the police and you'll get a ticket to be paid at the local police station or bank. If you're causing an obstruction, your car is likely to be towed.
 
Disabled parking
 
Whilst the European Blue Badge scheme isn't recognised in Puerto Rico, having your card with you can sometimes be useful for getting a more convenient space in a car park. Puerto Ricans are usually friendly and helpful so you should be well looked after.
 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 911

Police Fire: 911

Police Ambulance: 911

The emergency services number is 911 as on the mainland.

The Puerto Rico Tourism office is at La Princesa Bldg. #2 Paseo La Princesa Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902. Their contact is (1) (787) 721 2400.

The UK Embassy in Puerto Rico is at Torre Chardon, Suite 1236, 250 Chardon Av, San Juan Puerto Rico 00918. Their contact is (1) (787) 758 9828.

What to do in an emergency

If you are involved in an accident, do not move the car unless it is causing a danger to other road users. Phone the police on 911 and let your car hire company know too. You should exchange insurance details and addresses with the other driver's. Take pictures of the accident if you have a camera handy - it may come in useful later. The police will issue a report that must be given to the insurance company or your hire company.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Give way - Ceda el paso
  • Traffic lights - Semaforas
  • Right of way – Prioridad
  • Exit – Salida
  • Danger – Peligro
  • No parking - Prohibido aparcar
  • Slow – Despacio
  • Lane – Un carril
  • City centre – Centro ciudad
  • Carretera – Local Highway
  • Roadworks – Obras
  • Where is the nearest petrol station? – ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana?
  • Excuse me, I’m lost – Por favor, estoy perdido…
  • Go straight on – ‘Siga todo recto’
  • Turn right – ‘Toma el giro a la derecha’
  • Turn left – ‘Toma el giro a la izquierda’
  • Detour - Desviacion
  • Toll Road – Carretera de Peaje
  • Road Closed – Cerrado.
  • Road Open – Abierto
  • Motorway – Una autopista
  • One way street – Direccíon unica
  • Dual Carriageway - Autovia

Puerto Rico Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Nov , 2024

€ 0.75

€ 0.86

Oct , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 0.88

Sep , 2024

€ 0.73

€ 0.85

Aug , 2024

€ 0.77

€ 0.91

Jul , 2024

€ 0.83

€ 0.97

Jun , 2024

€ 0.79

€ 0.95

May , 2024

€ 0.94

€ 1.00

Apr , 2024

€ 0.87

€ 1.00

Mar , 2024

€ 0.86

€ 0.97

Feb , 2024

€ 0.91

€ 0.94

Jan , 2024

€ 0.84

€ 0.88

Dec , 2023

€ 0.88

€ 0.91

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Nov , 2024 0.75 0.86
Oct , 2024 0.77 0.88
Sep , 2024 0.73 0.85
Aug , 2024 0.77 0.91
Jul , 2024 0.83 0.97
Jun , 2024 0.79 0.95
May , 2024 0.94 1.00
Apr , 2024 0.87 1.00
Mar , 2024 0.86 0.97
Feb , 2024 0.91 0.94
Jan , 2024 0.84 0.88
Dec , 2023 0.88 0.91

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Puerto Rico and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments

  • 27/11/2018

    Klew

    It’s a little difficult for a PR to be “refused entry to the US” based on an alcohol related incident when they are, in fact, already IN the US since PR is a part of the US.
  • 30/10/2018

    Bill

    Where can I get a copy of the driving laws in Puerto Rico?