Puerto Rico Title Transfer Fees & Vehicle Taxes
When buying or selling a car privately in Puerto Rico, the buyer is responsible for all DMV fees at the time of registration. The total out-of-pocket cost includes the title transfer fee, sales tax, and registration fee.
Puerto Rico Vehicle Transfer Fee Summary
Note: Sales tax and use tax are paid at the DMV during registration — not at the time of the private sale. County-level taxes may apply on top of state rates.
Puerto Rico Additional Notes
- ›Notarial intervention required — PR notaries (notarios públicos) are licensed attorneys; a notario público abogado must authenticate vehicle transfer deeds, unlike mainland US notary publics
- ›Official bill of sale form: DTOP-DIS-260 (Acta de Traspaso de Vehículo de Motor), issued by the Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP)
- ›Vehicle transfers are processed at CESCO (Centro de Servicios al Conductor) offices across the island
- ›Federal odometer disclosure (49 CFR Part 580) applies to all Puerto Rico vehicle sales, same as US states
- ›IVU sales tax of 11.5% applies to the sale price; exemptions may apply to certain commercial transactions
- ›Governing law: Ley de Vehículos y Tránsito de Puerto Rico (Law No. 22 of January 7, 2000, as amended)
- ›Official documents are bilingual (Spanish and English); the DTOP-DIS-260 form is issued in Spanish — confirm you understand all terms before signing
- ›USCG documentation applies to vessels in PR territorial waters under the same federal rules as US states
- ›Title transfer must be completed at a CESCO office; online transfer not available for private party sales
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the title transfer fee in Puerto Rico?▾
The Puerto Rico title transfer fee is $50. This is paid by the buyer at the DMV when completing the transfer, and does not include sales tax or registration fees.
What is the sales tax rate on vehicles in Puerto Rico?▾
Puerto Rico vehicle sales tax: 11.5% IVU (Impuesto de Venta y Uso) on vehicle purchases — one of the highest rates among US jurisdictions; administered by the Departamento de Hacienda.
Who pays the sales tax in a Puerto Rico private car sale?▾
In Puerto Rico, the buyer pays the vehicle sales tax at registration — not at the time of the sale. The tax is assessed when the buyer visits the DMV to transfer the title and register the vehicle.
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