Puerto Rico Driver's License
Topic 31599 | Page 1
No idea about PR license worth anything here, BUT You Can't have a drivers license from more than 1 state, at ANY time, and usually that has to be from your state of residence
Q1: Can I keep my PR driver’s license (needed for income tax purposes) AND get issued an AZ CDL?
Yes. Since Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories are not included in the definition of a State in section 12016 of the CMVSA (49 U.S.C. 31301(14)), they must be considered foreign countries for purposes of the CDL requirements. Under part 383, a person domiciled in a foreign country is not required to surrender his or her foreign license in order to obtain a non-domiciled CDL.
Q2: Since my replacement PR license was issued within 1 year of my upcoming testing, will an MVR from PR suffice to show driving experience for previous 2 years?
Yes. The requirement is for 1 year of driving experience. They go by how long you've been driving, not the date on your license.
Is a CDL issued in PR accepted by shippers and carriers in the US?
No. For licensing purposes Puerto Rico is considered a foreign country. The only countries that have CDL reciprocity with the US are Canada and Mexico.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hello: I am a resident of Puerto Rico and have had a PR driver’s license for 2 years. However, because I lost my PR license, my replacement was issued in November 2021. Before that, I had an AZ license for 4 years, and before that, a WA license for 32 years. • I have never had a CDL but am preparing to test for it IN AZ. • I have no vehicle violations (except speeding about 10 years ago). • I will be driving in the continental US only, as needed. Q1: Can I keep my PR driver’s license (needed for income tax purposes) AND get issued an AZ CDL? That is, I prefer NOT to surrender my PR license if possible. Q2: Since my replacement PR license was issued within 1 year of my upcoming testing, will an MVR from PR suffice to show driving experience for previous 2 years? If not …, Q3: … can I use PR driver’s license combined with my MVR from AZ to show my driving experience? Q4: If the answer to any of this is no, no, no, should I just get a CDL in PR and use it in the continental US? Is a CDL issued in PR accepted by shippers and carriers in the US?
Thank you. RH
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.