QuestionsQuestions (Act No. 3992)
It controls, as far as applicable, the registration and operation of motor vehicles; licensing of owners, dealers, and chauffeurs; carrying of lights; and all similar matters.
Motor vehicles are vehicles using public highways propelled by any power other than muscular power, except road rollers, trolley cars, street sweepers/sprinklers, lawn mowers or vehicles that run only on rails/tracks, tractors, and traction engines used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
Trailers are classified as separate motor vehicles when propelled or intended to be propelled by attachment to a motor vehicle; they have no power rating.
A professional chauffeur is any licensed chauffeur hired or paid for driving/operating a motor vehicle, whether private or for hire to the public; an owner driving his own car for hire is also deemed a professional chauffeur.
“Owner” includes (when context requires) actual legal owner; members of immediate family over 18; and persons in legal possession lawfully entitled to give commands/directions—except it does not include a person who rented or hired such motor vehicle with its professional chauffeur from a garage or street stand.
He administers the Act and may issue rules/regulations (with approval of the Secretary), maintain accessible records, give public notice of certain issuances/suspensions/revocations, designate agents/deputies, acquire vehicles/equipment for enforcement, appoint personnel, and—crucially—he and his deputies are authorized to make arrests for violations of the Act and the Public Service Act as far as motor vehicles are concerned.
The Director/deputies may examine and inspect motor vehicles to determine if they are unsightly, unsafe, overloaded, improperly marked/equipped, otherwise unfit due to danger to chauffeur/passengers/public, or capable of excessive damage to highways/bridges/culverts.
No motor vehicle may be used/operated on public highways unless properly registered for the current year. Registration not renewed on or before the last working day of February becomes delinquent and invalid.
Within seven days after taking actual possession but before operating; thereafter, not later than the last working day of February of each year.
On the first day of each month, dealers must furnish a true report of each purchaser from the previous month, including purchaser name/address, manufacturer’s serial number and motor number, brief vehicle description, and other information required by the Director.
The person/entity making the change or repair must notify the Director of Public Works in writing within seven days, stating character of change/repair, registration number and date, and the new manufacturer’s number or motor number.
They must not be used for hire under any circumstances and must not solicit or accept passengers or freight for pay.
Applications generally must be accompanied by a certificate of public convenience or special permit issued by the Public Service Commission. Vehicles are subject to public service laws/rules/regulations as well as the provisions of Act No. 3992.
They may carry freight only; necessary laborers may ride and may solicit/accept freight at any place except within a radius of one hundred meters from any competing public station designated by the Public Service Commission.
The registration fee is two times the fees mentioned for private motor vehicle (for passenger automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles under those public utility/garage/hire classifications).
Without a special permit, no such vehicle shall be operated in the enumerated special cases. Example: if the gross weight in kilos divided by the number of wheels exceeds 2000 kilos average load per wheel, a special permit is required.
Every operator of a motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire must at all times on public highways carry a Motor Vehicle Trip Card furnished by the owner, and enter required details: registration number, operator/owner names, date/time leaving garage, destination, number of passengers, and other required info.