Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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The different types of accessories for your car
Which car accessories are useful in Puerto Rico?
Final word
 


 

The different types of accessories for your car

In Puerto Rico, you might notice that some cars making use of different accessories. You should consider doing some of the same. For example, some cars will have a net it the back with the purpose of keeping your groceries upright while you drive.

There’s a ton of different accessories that you will be able to choose from. In the end, it is up to you to address your own individual needs. Some of the more popular and useful accessories include dashboard grip pads for your phone and GPS, Bluetooth key finders, car trash cans, car battery power banks and much more. These things can only serve to improve your overall driving experience.
 

Which car accessories are useful in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, the accessories that will be most useful will vary. However, we tend to recommend any accessories that will help you out in a jam such as a car battery power bank as roadside assistance is limited there and traffic as well as road conditions are pretty bad. Many traffic laws are generally viewed as suggestions and the island also has a terrible pothole issue.

If you do not speak much Spanish, you should also consider getting a GPS or at least a GPS based app because asking for directions will be difficult and reading road signs will be as well. On top of that, you should consider accessories that optimize the function of your car’s entertainment. This includes Bluetooth radio adapters and USB port adapters because the radio signals in Puerto Rico are not the best and much of the entertainment is in Spanish.
 

Final word

Car accessories are in no way necessary, but they can make help driving around Puerto rice a bit easier. They can help keep your car clean, your radio or satellite signal strong, your cell phone use hands free and your trips easy to navigate.

If you need your car transported to or from Puerto Rico, you can always do so with the auto transport experts at Puerto Rico Car Transport. You can get a free quote today by calling (904) 322-7644!

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License plate requirements in Puerto Rico
Types of license plates you can get in Puerto Rico
Final word
 


 

License plate requirements in Puerto Rico

License plates in Puerto Rico are as easy to get as they are anywhere in the United States. You will need to take a trip to their version of the DMV which is known as the Department of Transportation and Public Works (Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas) which is DTOP for short.

Before you get your Puerto Rican license plates, you will need to get your car registered. Once you do, getting your license plates will be one of the last steps in the registration process.

At first, you will get temporary tags while you wait for your new plates to come in the mail. This will take about a week or two. Once you get your plates, you should put them on your car right away. They must be affixed to the appropriate and designated spots on the front and back of your car.

Most importantly, they must be completely visible. So, no tinted visors or anything placed over them or hanging in front of them. Otherwise, you can be ticketed by the police.
 

Types of license plates you can get in Puerto Rico

There are several different types of license plates that you can get in Puerto Rico:

• Standard plates – The most common plate that you will see in Puerto Rico are the standard ones. These cost the least and do not require any additional approval or verification.
• Government plates – Government plates will only be given to government officials or those working for a Puerto Rican government agency such as the Senate. They will specifically designate the government agency that the driver is a part of. Some different types of Puerto Rican government plates include legislator, assembly, senator, and municipal.
• Handicapped plates – Handicapped plates are obviously for those with a condition that will impair their ability to move from their car to a destination. These plates are clearly marked with a handicapped symbol in Puerto Rico. Handicapped in Puerto Rico spots are always designated by a sign that includes a warning of the price of the fine for parking there without a handicapped pass or plate.
• Personalized – You can also get personalized plates in Puerto Rico. These are most commonly known as “Vanity plates”. With these plates you can get a custom license plate number that resembles a word or phrase. You only have seven letters/numbers, so many plates have something like this one them “PTORICO”
• Antique and historical vehicle plates – There are also special plates for antique and historical vehicles in Puerto Rico. You must have a legitimate antique or historical car along with all the other necessary typical paperwork. These are commemorative and will have a design that pays tribute to these types of cars.

 

Final word

Getting your new Puerto Rican license plates will not be any more complicated than it is anywhere else. You might have to wait for a while at the DTOP office so plan to spend a few hours getting your car registered and getting your plates. Before you can get your license plates in Puerto Rico, you will need to have your car there. You can always ship your car to Puerto Rico by calling us at (904) 322-7644.

Jump to section:
Window tinting laws in Puerto Rico
Where you can get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico
Advice for tinting your windows
Final Word
 


 

Window tinting laws in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico you are allowed to get your windows tinted so long as you do not block thirty five percent or more of light. Most shops where you get your windows tinted will let you know exactly how far you can go with your tints. We do not recommend getting the maximum level of tints on your car because a police officer could consider that borderline and then decide to issue a ticket if you are pulled over.
 

Where you can get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico

You can get your windows tinted at the majority of auto glass shops across the island. Some mechanic shops may even offer the service.

The best reviewed places to get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico are:

• Solar Tintes
• Black Tint 5/50
• Tint Solutions

 

Advice for tinting your windows

Before you get your windows tinted in Puerto Rico, read these tips:

• Know what your options are – Before you take your car into a shop or auto glass location to get tinted, you should educate yourself on all the options that you will have. Do your research online. Compare online reviews about providers on sites like Google.
• Ask questions – Once you have a window tint provider picked out from your online research, give them a call, and ask them any questions that you might have. See how their pricing works as well as how scheduling an appointment works.
• Cleaning your tints – You should exercise caution when you clean your tinted windows. If you are having someone else clean them, you should make sure that they are aware your tints will need special care while they are being cleaned. They should not be cleaned with any sort of blade. Use something gentle such as a cloth.
• Do not use any cleaning products that have ammonia in them – Ammonia can do a ton of damage to your tints, so, be sure to avoid using any cleaning products that are ammonia-based.
• Get it cleaned ASAP – If you get anything on the tints like the sap from a tree, get it cleaned off as soon as possible.

 

Final Word

Getting your windows tinted is definitely useful in a place like Puerto Rico that has an abundance of sunshine. The tints will help you see and concentrate on the road much more easily by blocking some of the excess sunshine from entering your car. However, you need to do your research before your get your car windows tinted. Then once you do, you need to make sure that you take care of them.

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Regular radio
Auxiliary entertainment
Satellite radio
Additional forms of in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico
 


 
Although it is far from a necessity, in-car entertainment can make your driving experience much more tolerable and enjoyable. This is especially true in high stress driving environments such as the ones that exist in Puerto Rico. However, it is critically important to the safety of yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road that you always keep your eyes on the road and do not let yourself get distracted while you are driving.
 

Regular radio

Puerto Rico has a variety of regular FM and AM radio stations. The FM stations tend to be music focus and includes mostly salsa and pop music. However, AM stations are much more popular in Puerto Rico than they are anywhere else. The AM programming in Puerto Rico includes mostly news and talk programming.

There are nearly a hundred a fifty terrestrial radio stations in Puerto Rico currently. That includes over seventy AM stations and nearly seventy FM stations.
 

Auxiliary entertainment

So, long as your car has the necessary hook-in, you also have the option to use auxiliary forms of entertainment in your car in Puerto Rico. For example, this includes hooking your smart phone into your car stereo in order to play music from streaming services like Spotify and Pandora.
 

Satellite radio

SiriusXM satellite radio is also available in Puerto Rico through the Sirius XM app. If you have a certain type of Sirius radio installed in your car you can listen through that as well. You will need to contact SiriusXM to see what your options are which you can do here.

Sirius has hundreds of channels with various forms of entertainment including talk radio, every genre of music, comedy, sports and more. There are currently three plans to choose from when you decide to sign up. The plans range from $10.99 per month to $21.99 per month. The packages vary with what they include. The most expensive package includes all channels, while the less expensive packages include a limited number of channels.
 

Additional forms of in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico

There are additional options when it comes to in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico. Here are a few of them:

• In-Car Internet – Many cars now have the ability to have in-car internet installed. This is useful for the driver if you have the ability to switch to voice dictation for internet browsing. However, it will also make the ride experience better for your passengers as well because they will not have to rely on cellular data to use the internet on their phones.
• CD Players – Some cars will still have CD players or will at least have the ability to have a CD player installed. Newer model cars might not have the ability to have one installed. You can find out if this is possible by contacting your car manufacturer or your mechanic.
• DVD Players – Some cars will come with the ability to play DVDs for your backseat passengers. The screens are typically installed in the back side of the driver and front passenger head rests. This type of entertainment serves as a good distraction for children thus allowing you to drive while being less distracted by them.

Jump to section:
Washing your car in Puerto Rico
The best car washes across Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 


 

Washing your car in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has areas with tons of rain. It also has areas with average amounts of rain. Overall, Puerto Rico has more rain than most places. For example, San Juan gets almost seventy inches of rain per year while a place like New York gets about forty-five inches of rain per year.

The roads in populated areas are also just as clean or dirty (depending on how you look at it) as any other populated area in the world. Thus, you have your first to reasons two get your car washed in Puerto Rico.

Moreover, Puerto Rico is surrounded by the ocean which is all salt water. This could end up being responsible for the corrosion of a car’s finish if it is exposed to coastal winds. These winds carry what is known as salt air. Ocean air picks up both moisture and salt when it passes over the water. Then when the air hits your car later on, the moisture and salt end up sticking to your car. The salt then slowly corrodes the finish unless you get your car washed.

You also need to consider that if you have your car in Puerto Rico and you are going to ship it somewhere, you will need to get it washed. The reason for this is that when you drop the car off at the port, a thorough visual inspection of your vehicle will take place. If your car is dirty, this will take much longer and could possibly end up delaying your shipment. So, be sure you get your car washed right before you drop it off for shipping.
 

The best car washes across Puerto Rico

Here are some of your very best options when it comes to washing your car in Puerto Rico:

• Xpress Lube – Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Xpress Lube has a 4.4-star rating on Google.
• Dream Team Car Wash – Located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Dream Team Car Wash has a 4.5 rating on Google.
• El Túnel Car Wash – Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, El Túnel Car Wash has a 4.2 rating on Google.
• Fast & Furious Car Wash – Located in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Fast & Furious Car Wash has a 4.5 rating on Google.

 

Conclusion

Getting your car washed in Puerto Rico is important for several reasons. It will prevent dirt building up from the rain and street, it will prevent corrosion from salt air and it will help you ship your car as smoothly as possible.

If you do intend to ship your car from Puerto Rico to the United States or vice versa, you can call us anytime time at (904) 322-7644 to get a free quote and book your shipment.

Jump to section:
Why you should do whatever you can to keep your car safe in Puerto Rico
The safest cars for driving in Puerto Rico
Advice for driving safely
Conclusion
 


 

Why you should do whatever you can to keep your car safe in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico can be dangerous at times to say the least. Many drivers do not follow several driving laws on a routine basis. This includes speeding, coming to a stop at red lights, coming to a complete stop at stop signs, or not parking in the middle of the road. Moreover, the police rarely tend to enforce these rules on violators unless the infractions are blatant.

It is because of this that you are at a higher risk than normal of getting in an accident when you are driving in Puerto Rico. Thus, you should make sure that you are doing everything you can to make your car as safe as humanly possible in Puerto Rico.
 

The safest cars for driving in Puerto Rico

You can always increase your chances at safety while driving in Puerto Rico by choosing to drive a safer model car. Hybrids tend to be safer than normal cars but will be pretty pricey even if you buy one when it is used.

The following cars have been deemed the safest for driving in 2020 according to the IIHS: Nissan Maxima, Honda Insight, Toyota Camry, Subaru Forester, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and the Nissan Altima.

Some of those cars will cost more than others. Always stay within your budget. Buying a used vehicle could help you get both a great price as well as a safer vehicle.
 

Advice for driving safely

Many of you will not have the choice to buy a new car. So, you can use the following advice to drive safely when you are on the road in Puerto Rico:

• Obey traffic laws even if other drivers are not – As we mentioned earlier, many other drivers in Puerto Rico tend to break the simplest rules of the road such as driving over the speed limit and running red lights. Do not follow their example and obey all traffic laws.
• Space is important – People often drive too closely to the car that is in front of them. This poses a great risk for an accident because if the car in front of them stops suddenly they will not be able to react in time to avoid hitting them. Always keep a safe distance from the car that is driving in front of you.
• Always check your blind spots – It seems like a simple piece of advice but many people forget to check their blind spots. This is particularly dangerous in Puerto Rico where there is dense traffic in certain areas. Never forget to check your blindspot before you change lanes in Puerto Rico.
• Keep your car in tip-top shape – Be sure that your engine is running properly so you can avoid any sudden breakdowns. Make sure that your tires are always properly inflated so you can avoid any blowouts. Regularly get your car serviced by a mechanic.
• Stay on the defensive – Defensive driving is always a great way to stay safe while driving. This is especially true in Puerto Rico where other drivers can tend to be aggressive.

 

Conclusion

Keeping your car as safe as can be should be a priority no matter where you are. However, in an area like Puerto Rico where drivers tend to drive a bit more aggressively and haphazardly, it should be a top priority. If you have the opportunity to get a new car you should consider one that is considered safest. Either way, you should do whatever you can to drive more safely and keep your car safe at all times.

Jump to section:
Getting your car to San Juan
Picking your car up in San Juan
Driving and parking in San Juan
Where to take your car in San Juan
 


 

Getting your car to San Juan

Since San Juan is obviously located on the island of Puerto Rico, the only way that you can get your car there will be to ship it. This process is much easier than you might think. You just need to contact a car shipping company and book your car transport in advanced. In order to get your preferred shipping dates, you should book your shipment at least a month in advanced.

When you do book your shipment, your car will be able to be picked up at your door in the United States. However, when it arrives in Puerto Rico, you will need to pick your car up at the port in San Juan.
 

Picking your car up in San Juan

As we mentioned above, you will need to pick up your car at the port in San Juan. From the day that your car arrives in the port you will have five days to pick it up before you start getting charged fees for storage. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as going to the port and showing your license.

When you get to the port in San Juan you will need your license, social security card, your shipment’s booking number, your excise tax document and proof of payment of the excise tax.

You might ask what is excise tax? Well, excise tax is a special type of tax that Puerto Rico enacts on any imports into the country. That includes personal cars. You can read more about it here.

In order to pay the excise tax and prove that you paid it, you will need to visit the port office when your car gets dropped off at the port. They will give you the excise tax document there. After that, you can pay the excise tax by paying online here or by visiting the Hacienda Centro de Servicios.
 

Where to take your car in San Juan

There are a few great spots in San Juan that you will not want to miss while you have your car there:

• The streets of old San Juan
• Restaurants
• Paseo de la Princesa
• San Juan Cathedral

 

Driving and parking in San Juan

Driving and parking in San Juan are both pretty difficult in comparison to most places. Driving can be tough because many native Puerto Rican drivers choose not to obey many traffic laws. You will see people turn left from the furthest right lane and other people deliberately stopping in the middle of the street and walking out of their car to a store on the side of the road.

Parking is difficult for the same reason as any other crowded city, there just are not enough spaces available. There are also the typical restrictions that you will see in any other major city. The restrictions include handicapped parking, timed spots and more. You can find out more about parking in San Juan here.

Jump to section:
How your tires will affect your driving performance
Puerto Rico’s roads and their effect on your tires
Ways to keep your tires performing well in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 


 

How your tires will affect your driving performance

Believe it or not, tires can affect your overall driving performance and experience in a number of ways. The first is the difference a tire’s diameter makes. The smaller a tire’s diameter the better in terms of performance. Wider tires are harder to handle and make for an overall more difficult ride. Obviously, your tires need to be wide enough in order to fit the rims your car has. This is why you will typically find smaller cars are easier to handle at high speeds than larger vehicles, because their tires have less diameter.

Another way that your particular tires can affect your driving performance is the depth of the treads can impact how quickly you can stop. The deeper your treads are directly affect how quickly you can stop. This is obviously a crucial part of your performance when you are driving.

Next, how rigid your tires are will affect things like braking and traction. Softer tires do better with both of those things. However, softer tires are more likely to break down on roads with tougher conditions.

Finally, tire pressure is the most critical part of where tires will affect your driving performance. It impacts all of the above plus it will also affect your fuel efficiency. Tire pressure will negatively impact your driving both if they are underinflated or overinflated.

If they are underinflated, it can lead to steering issues and, much worse a flat tire. If they are overinflated, it can lead to your tires wearing out faster and even a possible blow out which you will want to avoid at all costs.
 

Puerto Rico’s roads and their effect on your tires

Unfortunately, the condition of Puerto Rico’s roads has never been great and still is not. Thankfully, they are finally starting to improve in the wake of Hurricane Maria. There still are a considerable number of cracks and potholes on the streets of Puerto Rico though.

These things can cause a tone of your damage to your tires and your car as a result. The various ways that cracks in the road or potholes can damage your tires includes puncturing it, damaging the sidewalls, and cracking/bending the actual wheel itself.

You will obviously want to avoid all of that. So, take it slow and keep your eyes peeling when you are driving in Puerto Rico in order to avoid hitting any potholes or cracks in the road.
 

Ways to keep your tires performing well in Puerto Rico

Regardless of the tires that you already have on your car in Puerto Rico, here is what you can do in order to maximize their performance:

• Proper inflation is everything – As was mentioned earlier, underinflated and overinflated tires are both problems for your tires. Check the pressure frequently but pay special attention when temperatures get really high or low.
• When it comes time for new tires, get them – Do not try and coast by on a set of tires that are too worn and or old. In general, you should look into getting new tires after every thirty five to forty five thousand miles driven or after five years of use, whatever comes first.
• Get your tires rotated – Many people will tell you that tire rotation is not important and they would be wrong. Rotating your tires is when the tires of your car are switched in position with each other. This prevents uneven wear on the tires. This is useful because you will not end up needing to get one new tire at a time.
• Perform visual inspections often – Always be vigilant in terms of visually inspecting your tires for blatant issues such as punctures or extremely warn areas of tread.
• Make sure the car’s alignment is not “pulling” – When your car’s alignment is said to be “pulling” one way or another, it means if you take your hands off of the steering wheel, your car will start to slightly and continually move left or right rather than stay straight. If this is the case, it will increase wear on some of your car’s tires. Get this fixed as soon as possible.

 

Conclusion

Your tires are much more important to your driving than most people think. When they are damaged or worn your driving will inevitably suffer. You run the risk of damage to your tires on some of Puerto Rico’s roads due to numerous potholes. So, when you have a car in Puerto Rico, be on the look out for potholes and cracks in the road. You should also drive slowly so you have more reaction time just in case you do see these things on the road. Finally, always take great care of your tires and inspect them for wear and damage frequently.

Jump to section:
The types of tickets you can get in Puerto Rico
How you can avoid a ticket in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 


 

The types of tickets you can get in Puerto Rico

As with anywhere else with cars, roads and laws regarding them, you can get parking tickets and you can also get moving violations in Puerto Rico. The difference is that in Puerto Rico, you generally need to commit much more of a blatant infraction in order to get a ticket.

This is because traffic in Puerto Rico is pretty bad in terms of motorists obeying the law. Thus, police often overlook more minor infractions like speeding only a few miles over the speed limit. However, this ends of being even more of a reason for you to obey traffic laws and drive safely because it tends to be easier to get into an accident.

In terms of moving violations in Puerto Rico, you technically get pulled over for all the obvious things like speeding, running a red light or stop sign, driving with a headlight out etc.

You can also get parking tickets for parking in a restricted zone or handicapped space.

You should obviously avoid doing any of these things in order to avoid getting a ticket in the first place. However, if you do get a ticket in Puerto Rico, you will need to pay it.

Once you get a ticket in Puerto Rico, you will need to visit the CESCO office. This is similar to the DMV in America. It is especially similar because of the fact that it is seemingly always extremely busy. Expect to spend several hours there. This should serve as even more motivation to not get a ticket.

When you do visit the CESCO office in order to pay a ticket, your best bet is to bring cash. Some may accept credit and most will not accept a check. You will need to go online and find the CESCO office that is nearest to you and call them and ask what their hours are because they all operate under different hours.
 

How you can avoid a ticket in Puerto Rico

Avoiding a ticket in Puerto Rico is a much better option than having to pay one. In order to do this you need to stay focused and alert when you drive in Puerto Rico. As we mentioned, other drivers tend to drive a bit more carelessly than most other places. So, watch out for other drivers who might run a stop sign or who might change lanes without signaling.

You should also know that police do not pull people over by putting their lights on. Instead they always drive around with their lights on. When they put their siren on, that is when they intend for someone to pull over.

Although it seems like everyone else might be getting away with breaking the rules of the road, that does not mean that you will. Your best chance at avoiding a ticket is to always drive carefully and obey the rules of the road. If you are parking, check for signs. If you can not read the sign look for someone who can.
 

Conclusion

Do whatever you can to avoid a ticket in Puerto Rico, otherwise you will need to take the dreaded trip to the CESCO office. Stay alert and always drive with caution. If you do get a ticket, call your local CESCO office to find out when they open and close. Plan to spend a few hours there.

Jump to section:
Gorgeous motorcycle trips
Watch out for other drivers
Advice for riding your motorcycle in Puerto Rico
Final Word
 


 

Gorgeous motorcycle trips

Puerto Rico is a wonderful place to have your motorcycle because of everything that there is to see and how beautiful the weather is. There are several sights that you will not want to miss that are perfect to travel to with your bike.

The first of these are any of the several gorgeous beaches in Puerto Rico. This includes Luquillo Beach, Condado Beach, and Crash Boat beach. These beaches are all on the main island of Puerto Rico so riding your motorcycle there would be easy. There are other beaches such as Culebra, but they are located on other islands of Puerto Rico which would require that you take a ferry with the ability to carry your bike.

You can also take your bike to and around El Yunque National Rainforest. The rainforest features several waterfalls as well as several great hiking trails. You are not allowed to take your motorcycle on the trails, so either take a scenic ride around the outside of the forest or prepare to do some hiking.

Finally, you can also go for a ride around Old San Juan. Old San Juan is one of the most beautiful sights that you can see in Puerto Rico. The town features old colonial style buildings that are painted in incredible bright colors. There are also several historical sites for you to visit such as colonial forts.
 

Watch out for other drivers

The issue with having a motorcycle in Puerto Rico is the other drivers. Puerto Rico is unfortunately known for having some really bad and careless drivers at times. Drivers in Puerto Rico routinely run red lights and stop signs. They also do things like speed and turn right from the left lane. Police do not enforce traffic laws too strictly here.

So, if you are riding your motorcycle in Puerto Rico, always drive slowly and carefully. Most importantly, stay alert at all times because other drivers might not be paying attention.
 

Advice for riding your motorcycle in Puerto Rico

Before you ride your motorcycle in Puerto Rico, read these tips so you can stay safe and enjoy your ride:

• Check the forecast – Before you head out for a ride in Puerto Rico, always check the forecast. You do not want to get caught riding when sudden rain appears.
• Always wear your helmet – This goes without saying, but always wear your helmet when you are riding your motorcycle in Puerto Rico. It could end up saving your life.
• Leave some space between you and the car in front of you – Always give yourself some extra stopping distance. In Puerto Rico, you never know when someone might stop short abruptly.
• Look where you want to go – It is a long-known tip about riding a motorcycle that you should always look where you intend on going or stopping, not beyond it. So, if you are coming up on cars at a red light, you should look at and focus on the area that you want to stop at, not at the cars because you are then likely to hit them.
• Stay out of people’s blind spots – This is actually easier said than done. Always pay attention and stay out of people’s blind spots. This is especially important in Puerto Rico where driver’s tend to a bit more careless than in other areas.

 

Final Word

Puerto Rico is a fantastic place to ride a motorcycle in terms of weather and sights. It is not great when it comes to other drivers, traffic conditions and road conditions. Always stay alert and watch out for other drivers as well as potholes. Otherwise, get ready to hit the road and enjoy a gorgeous ride.