Article 85

Vehicle mechanisms, components, and devices

1. Motor vehicles are equipped with a steering system that allows the driver to change the vehicle’s direction easily, quickly, and safely.

2. Motor vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds must be equipped with at least one (1) mirror, mounted in a position that ensures visibility of the road behind the vehicle.

3. Motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, and construction machinery that travel on public roads must be equipped with at least one (1) audible warning device of sufficient volume; three-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds must be equipped with a similar device of lower volume. The sound emitted by the audible warning device must be continuous, of a uniform pitch, and not piercing. Passenger vehicles may be equipped with a tire repair kit or special run-flat systems instead of a spare tire.

4. Emergency vehicles, priority vehicles, and public passenger transit vehicles may be equipped with and use other audible warning devices that emit various sounds.

5. The use of alternating-tone horns, sirens, whistles, and other similar devices is prohibited, except for the vehicles referred to in paragraph 4.

6. Bicycles, except for those used in athletic competitions, must be equipped with a bell.

7. The E.P.H.O.s are equipped with:

(a) an audible warning device; (b) a propulsion system applied to the front wheel(s) or to the front and rear wheels, if any.

In the event of an electrical failure or a failure of the propulsion system, the E.P.H.O. does not accelerate or decelerate abruptly.

8. The transparent parts of automobiles, vehicles, and trailers that form part of their body, including the windshield, as well as any interior partitions, shall be constructed in such a way that, in the event of their breakage, the risk of injury to persons is minimized and the driver and other occupants remain visible.

The transparent parts of the windshield are made of a material such that: a) the transparency of the windshield does not diminish over time, b) they do not distort the images of objects visible through the windshield, c) in the event of breakage, the driver has an adequate clear view of the road.

It is permitted to apply window tinting to the windows behind the driver’s and front passenger’s seats when the vehicle is equipped with a right-side mirror, and to all of the vehicle’s windows for medical reasons.

9. A motor vehicle whose windshield is of such dimensions and shape that it does not allow the driver to see normally ahead, except through the transparent portion of the windshield, shall be equipped with at least one (1) effective windshield wiper, mounted in a suitable position, which operates in such a way that it does not require continuous action by the driver. In addition, the vehicle described herein is equipped with windshield washers.

It is prohibited to place or hang objects in front of or behind the windshield, or to attach objects to it that obstruct the driver’s visibility.

10. All categories of trucks, buses, and trailers must be equipped with mud flaps on the wheels of the rear axle.

11. Motor vehicles, with the exception of three-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles, are equipped with a system for reversing the vehicle, which is operated from the driver’s seat.

12. The internal combustion engine, which is used to power a road vehicle, is equipped with an effective muffler, capable of reducing the noise caused by the exhaust gases and designed so that it cannot be deactivated by the driver from the driver’s seat.

13. The wheels of motor vehicles, trailers, mopeds, and bicycles must be equipped with tires, with or without inner tubes, or other tires of equivalent effectiveness, which are in such condition as to ensure safety and traction, even on wet road surfaces.

Motor vehicles, other than two-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds, must be equipped with one (1) spare tire. Passenger vehicles may be equipped with a tire repair kit or special run-flat systems instead of a spare tire.

14. Motor vehicles and trailers are equipped with a wheel suspension system, which ensures a flexible connection between the vehicle body and the wheels and dampens vibrations.

15. A motor vehicle capable of exceeding a speed of forty (40) kilometers per hour, on a straight, level road, must be equipped with a speedometer that functions properly.

16. Motor vehicles, with the exception of two-wheeled motorcycles without a sidecar, three-wheeled mopeds, and trailers, must be equipped with a license plate or a special identification device, in accordance with paragraph 3 of Article 33, concerning the movement of vehicles on highways, expressways, and tunnels, and paragraph 10 of Article 38, concerning stopping and parking. The above sign consists of an equilateral triangle with a side length of not less than forty centimeters (0.40 m) and a width of no less than five centimeters (0.05 m), and its interior may be left blank or painted a light color. The sides of this triangle are made of red reflective material. The sign is constructed so that it can be securely mounted in a vertical position.

17. Passenger cars and trucks with a maximum allowable weight of up to three thousand five hundred kilograms (3,500 kg) are equipped with seat belts in the front seats.

18. Motor vehicles and trailers with a maximum permissible weight exceeding three thousand five hundred kilograms (3,500 kg) must be equipped with appropriate wheel chocks.

19. Light vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to three thousand kilograms (3,000 kg) may be equipped with a metal rim on the wheels, the width of which must not be less than five centimeters (0.05 m). This band must be continuous, cylindrical, and free of protrusions, corners, or breaks, and must not be secured to the wheels with nails whose heads protrude from the surface of the band.

20. Construction machinery and agricultural machinery that cannot exceed a speed of forty (40) kilometers per hour on a straight, horizontal road must bear, for identification purposes, a special triangular metal plate on the rear, the outline of which is coated with red reflective material, while the rest of the surface is coated with fluorescent material, also red in color.

21. Vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of seven thousand five hundred kilograms (7,500 kg) or more, as well as trailers with a maximum permissible weight of three thousand kilograms (3,000 kg) or more, must bear, for identification purposes, on their rear side, one (1) or two (2) metal plates, which feature alternating diagonal stripes of red fluorescent material and yellow reflective material.

22. Vehicles or combinations of vehicles that are thirteen (13) meters or longer in length must display, for identification purposes, on their rear side, one (1) or two (2) plates, the surface of which is covered with red fluorescent material and yellow reflective material and on which special symbols are inscribed.

23. Vehicles transporting dangerous goods must display placards and special markings indicating the hazard class of the cargo, in accordance with the provisions in effect for such transport.

24. Violations committed by a person who puts into service, as well as by a person who drives a road vehicle, a three-wheeled vehicle, a motorcycle, a moped, agricultural machinery, or construction machinery, are classified as follows:

(a) violations of paragraphs 1, 8, 9, and 11, in category E1-B,

(b) a violation of paragraph 17, in category E2-A,

(d) a violation of paragraph 13:

(da) in category E2-B for a three-wheeled vehicle, motorcycle, moped, private passenger vehicle, or truck weighing up to three and a half (3.5) metric tons, and

(db) in category E3-B for a truck weighing more than three and a half (3.5) metric tons, a bus, agricultural machinery, or construction machinery.

In the case of trucks weighing more than three and a half (3.5) metric tons, buses, agricultural vehicles, and construction machinery, the prescribed administrative fine is imposed on the vehicle owner.

25. The violation applies to anyone who puts into service, as well as anyone who drives, a vehicle of another category in violation of this article, or that is not equipped with the mechanisms, signs, devices, or systems provided for in this article, as applicable, or who has mechanisms, plates, devices, or systems that do not meet the requirements of this article, shall be classified in category E1-A.

26. Notwithstanding paragraphs 24 and 25, a violation of paragraph 12 is classified under category E2-A and category S.