Tips for Driving in the Dominican Republic

Before you start driving in the Dominican Republic, it’s a good idea to learn some of the rules of the road. Here we go over some of the rules and regulations, speed limits, and other things you should know before hitting the road in the Dominican Republic.

Rules and Regulations

• Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of the vehicle.
• The allowable blood alcohol level is 0.10%.
• The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited unless you use a hands-free system.
• Right turns are allowed at a red light after you stop.
• The right of way is given to the vehicle that is on the bigger street.
• Trucks have priority before cars.
• If you want to make a left turn, it’s possible that other cars will still pass on the left-hand side of your vehicle. Pay attention to the road before making your turn.

Speed Limits

The standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private vehicles without trailers when driving in the Dominican Republic are as follows:

Within city limits	40 km/h (25 mph)
Outside city limits	80 km/h (50 mph)
On freeways	120 km/h (75 mph)

What to Bring Along

• Drivers are required to carry a valid driver’s license, registration documents, and insurance documents at all times while driving.
• Carry your passport with you at all times when driving.

Additional Information

• Watch out for pedestrians as they are known to cross the road everywhere even if they don’t have right of way.
• If you are driving in rural areas use extra caution and care, particularly at night as some roads are full of potholes. Also, some drivers don’t use their headlights so make sure that you drive defensively and keep a lookout for any dangers ahead.
• Gas stations are few and far between in rural areas so make sure you fill up your car when you get the chance.
• Tolls are charged on all of the main roads from Santo Domingo.
• Parking in most areas is free, although you may come across charges in larger towns.
• Watch out for horse carts. They move slowly and are found in many of the streets. They have also been known to cross in front of cars with little warning.
• The police, and sometimes the military, will carry out road checks and stop traffic. They are normally only checking to see whether you have the correct documents.
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