Driving Differences: Bolivia vs Dominican Republic
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From the presence of bus lanes in the Dominican capital to differing speed limits and enforcement measures, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Often not marked. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
dominican republic:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | No; speed checks are done by police radar |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Possible for traffic infractions |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
dominican republic:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
dominican republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
dominican republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
Signals
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Dominican Republic |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Commonly used in many situations |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
dominican republic:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
dominican republic:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bolivia:
Only in emergency situations
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in arrest and license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 911 or designated local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required and recommended as a safety measure |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Fines for non-compliance with signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible for common violations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days