P.R. Laws tit. 9, § 5381
No motor vehicle may travel on the public highways of Puerto Rico if, it does not meet the following rules regarding seat belts:
(a) Every 1965 model automobile, or later, shall be equipped with at least two (2) safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap, to be used on the front seat.
(b) Every 1968 model automobile, or later, shall be equipped with safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap, for each passenger for which it has been designed. It shall also be equipped with at least two (2) safety front seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap and on the shoulders. This requirement shall not be applicable to police vehicles.
(c) Every 1971 model and later, commercial vehicle, heavy motor vehicle, bus, tractor or propelled vehicle shall be equipped with safety seat belts of the type that adjust over the lap and on the shoulders for use in the front seat.
(d) Every automobile, commercial vehicle, heavy motor vehicle, bus, and tractor or propelled vehicle that is manufactured and assembled locally after January 1, 1971, with new components and parts or with parts from other vehicles shall be equipped with safety seat belts as required in the above subsections (b) and (c) of this section.
(e) No person shall distribute, have for sale, offer for sale, nor shall sell any type of safety seat belts to be used in motor vehicles, unless they meet the minimum standards and specifications approved by the Secretary. A violation of this subsection shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished with a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
(f) Every owner of a motor vehicle, which must be equipped with safety seat belts pursuant to this section, shall be bound to keep said seat belts and their installation in good condition, so that the same may be used by the driver and the passengers.
(g) The Secretary is authorized to exempt, through regulations to such effect, certain types of motor vehicles or positions for drivers or passengers in said vehicles from the requirements of the above subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section, when due to their nature, design or original manufacture, certain types of safety seat belts cannot be used or installed.
(h) No concessionaire of a public vehicle authorized by the Public Service Commission shall remove the seat belts installed in them under any circumstances. Violations of this subsection shall entail an administrative fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250).
History —Jan. 7, 2000, No. 22, § 13.01; Aug. 4, 2004, No. 188, § 1, eff. 90 days after Aug. 4, 2004.