Location & Route Shipping
How to Get a Puerto Rico License Plate After Shipping Your Car
After you ship a car to Puerto Rico, you register it with the local government and get Puerto Rican plates. This page lists the steps and the documents to bring. AutoStar arranges vehicle shipping to and from Puerto Rico through the port of Jacksonville and San Juan. See our Puerto Rico car shipping page.
Who handles registration
Vehicle registration and licenses in Puerto Rico are handled by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTOP) through its service centers (CESCO).
Steps
- Ship the car to Puerto Rico and take delivery in San Juan. Your car must be on the island to register it.
- Gather the documents (see below).
- Visit a DTOP/CESCO center.
- Pay the registration fees and buy the annual sticker (marbete) at an authorized location.
- Receive your plates.
Documents to bring
Documents vary by case. Typically: the title or registration from the previous state, proof of identity, proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and proof that the vehicle arrived. Shipping to Puerto Rico also has its own documents, listed on our Puerto Rico page.
Types of plates
Standard, personalized, antique or historic, government, and plates for people with disabilities.
FAQ
The vehicle must be physically present in Puerto Rico before it can be registered, as local authorities may require an inspection and verification of the vehicle's documentation. However, you can save time by gathering the necessary paperwork in advance, such as the title, registration, proof of ownership, and any other required documents. Preparing these items early can help make the registration process smoother once your vehicle arrives.
In most cases, you can keep your mainland license plates while your vehicle is being transported to Puerto Rico. However, once the vehicle arrives and is registered in Puerto Rico, you may be required to surrender your current plates and obtain Puerto Rico plates as part of the registration process. Requirements can vary based on your situation, so it's a good idea to verify the latest registration requirements before your vehicle arrives.
No. AutoStar arranges the shipping. Registration is done by the owner with DTOP.