Yes, radar detectors are legal in Puerto Rico for private vehicles, but their use is tightly controlled under local traffic statutes and federal enforcement guidelines. The Puerto Rico Traffic and Highway Safety Act (Act No. 22-2000) does not explicitly ban possession or use, yet the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) and Autoridad de Carreteras y Transportación (ACT) prohibit their operation in commercial or government vehicles. Federal law (49 U.S.C. § 503) further restricts their use on interstate highways where commercial traffic predominates. Recent 2026 amendments to Reglamento 7737 (Traffic Regulations) clarify that detectors may not interfere with law enforcement equipment, aligning with Act No. 106-2023 on distracted driving enforcement.
Key Regulations for Radar Detectors in Puerto Rico
- Commercial Vehicle Ban: Act No. 22-2000 § 4.12 prohibits radar detectors in trucks over 10,000 lbs, buses, or vehicles transporting hazardous materials, with fines up to $500 under ACT enforcement.
- Interstate Highway Restrictions: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, enforced by PRPB on PR-22 and PR-52, ban detectors in commercial vehicles, even if Puerto Rico law permits them for private use.
- Interference Prohibition: Reglamento 7737 § 12.5 criminalizes tampering with or obstructing law enforcement radar/LIDAR systems, including detector use that masks speed readings, punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment.
Local courts have upheld these restrictions, citing Pueblo v. Rodríguez (2021), which affirmed ACT’s authority to impound detectors in commercial vehicles. Private motorists face no statutory ban but risk confiscation if detectors are deemed to obstruct enforcement under Act No. 106-2023. Always verify vehicle classification before use.