Driving in Cuba vs. Dominican Republic: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and vehicle operation between Cuba and the Dominican Republic. From lane usage and speed limits to enforcement of traffic rules, each nation presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 | Rare | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Often not marked. |
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
dominican republic:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
dominican republic:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 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 | Rare | No; speed checks are done by police radar |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Possible for traffic infractions |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
dominican republic:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
dominican republic:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
dominican republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
dominican republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
Signals
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Dominican Republic |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in many situations |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
Horn Usage: Allowed
cuba:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
Documentation
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
dominican republic:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
dominican republic:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
Use Of Horn: Limited
cuba:
Only in emergency situations
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
Alcohol
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | 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: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
dominican republic:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
cuba:
Can result in license suspension
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 911 or designated local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required and recommended as a safety measure |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
dominican republic:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines for non-compliance with signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Possible for common violations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days