Puerto Rico House to review single license plate system
New Progressive Party Rep. Gabriel Rodríguez-Aguiló has introduced House Bill 459, directing the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to investigate Puerto Rico’s single license plate system.
The system stems from Act 22 of 2000, the Puerto Rico Vehicle and Transit Act, amended by Act 2 of 2016 and Act 23 of 2020. Act 2 of 2016 established the model under which a license plate belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the vehicle itself.
Under the previous system, drivers buying a new or used car were required to purchase a new plate for each transaction, a process lawmakers said created unnecessary costs. The 2016 reform sought to simplify transactions, lower expenses and modernize registration.
The act’s explanatory memorandum cited Puerto Rico’s economic crisis at the time. Lawmakers noted families were struggling to cover basic needs, worsened by global financial instability.
“To this end, it is necessary for the government of Puerto Rico to provide its citizens with a greater number of tools to face the costs of daily living,” the law stated.
Before the change, plates could not be transferred between vehicles. Lawmakers argued that shifting ownership to the driver would reduce financial burdens and bring efficiency to the registration system.
Despite the reforms, questions remain about implementation. Rodríguez-Aguiló’s bill would require the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to review how the system operates, identify obstacles and assess whether its goals of cost savings and efficiency are being met.
The measure also directs the committee to consider whether further amendments are needed. A report detailing findings, conclusions and recommendations must be submitted to the House within 180 days of the bill’s approval.
If adopted, the measure would take effect immediately. Supporters say a functioning single license plate system could reduce costs for drivers and update Puerto Rico’s transportation framework.
Lawmakers will await the committee’s report to determine whether the reform has delivered on its promise or requires further changes.
