No, Puerto Rico’s Ley 106-2000 (Traffic Law) prohibits driving while wearing headphones, earphones, or any device impairing auditory perception, with penalties up to $500. The Policía de Puerto Rico enforces this under Reglamento 13169, aligning with 2026 DTOP revisions tightening distracted driving enforcement.
Key Regulations for Driving with Headphones in Puerto Rico
- Absolute Ban on Auditory Impairment: Artículo 8.03 of Ley 106-2000 explicitly bans headphones/earphones, citing auditory distraction as a primary hazard. Exceptions exist only for hearing aids or emergency responders in duty.
- DOTP 2026 Enforcement Updates: The Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas (DTOP) amended Reglamento 13169 to mandate stricter police training on auditory distraction detection, effective January 2026.
- Penalties and Liability: Violations incur fines up to $500, with potential license suspension for repeat offenses. Courts may impose additional civil liability in accident cases per Artículo 10.12.
Local jurisprudence (Tribunal Supremo de Puerto Rico, 2023) reinforces these restrictions, interpreting auditory impairment as prima facie evidence of negligence in traffic incidents.