Drivers License & Identification
There are plenty of rental car agencies scattered throughout Puerto Rico, especially near the airports and hotels. Before you will be allowed to rent a car, you will be required to show your current drivers license, either from the United States or from a country with similar driving regulations.
Anyone who has plans to spend more than 120 days in Puerto Rico should be prepared to obtain a local drivers license, as is required by law.
Age Requirements
Every rental car agency, no matter where in the world you plan to travel, has different rules regarding a driver's minimum age before renting a car. In the United States, the average rental car company will not rent you a vehicle unless you are at least 25 years of age. You'll find these guidelines are similar in Puerto Rico.
There are a few companies that will rent to drivers that are at least age 21, and even fewer that will rent to drivers beginning at age 18. Rental companies who will rent to drivers in these younger age groups are usually not affiliated with large chains, so you'll need to look for smaller, private companies if you will not have an age-appropriate driver with you on your trip to Puerto Rico.
Make sure you call a few car rental agencies ahead of time so ensure there is an appropriate rental option for you in Puerto Rico. Otherwise, plan for an alternative mode of transportation.
Car Insurance for Rental Cars
Most rental car companies will give you two options when it comes to car insurance. They'll ask you to either present proof of coverage on your own vehicle or will offer to sell you their own insurance. If you are visiting from the United States, you can use your own car insurance as long as you have comprehensive and collision coverage - the coverage you'll need in order to repair the rental car if you damage it. If you are traveling from another country, you'll need to purchase the insurance from the rental company.
Drivers from the USA, take note: just because you can use your own insurance, however, doesn't mean that you should. In most rental car contracts you will find that if you are involved in an accident you will not only have to pay for repairs but will also have to pay for "loss of use" for the vehicle. In other words, you'll have to pay a rental car fee for the days the company can not rent that car because it is out of commission. Your normal car insurance company will not pay these charges, only for the repair of the vehicle itself. If you purchase the rental car company's insurance, for a nominal fee, you'll have coverage for both the vehicle and the potential loss of use.
Driving Regulations
In order to avoid getting yourself into trouble with your rental car company or the Puerto Rican authorities, you should familiarize yourself with Puerto Rico's driving regulations.
You will not see speed limit signs posted as frequently as you see them in the United States, so you'll want to familiarize yourself with local speed limits. The speed limit in a school zone is 25 miles per hour; in an urban zone the speed limit is 25 miles per hour; and in a rural zone the speed limit is 45 miles per hour. In a residential area you should never travel faster than 25-30 miles per hour unless you see a sign noting it is safe to do otherwise.
