Driving in Czech Republic vs. Dominican Republic: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can greatly enhance your travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to road etiquette and emergency protocols, these nations showcase unique approaches to vehicular conduct. Stay informed to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
Bus Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
dominican republic:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
czech republic:
N/A
dominican republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
dominican republic:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
dominican republic:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No; speed checks are done by police radar |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly applied | Possible for traffic infractions |
Urban Areas: Standard
czech republic:
50 km/h
dominican republic:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
dominican republic:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
dominican republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
100 km/h
dominican republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
dominican republic:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
dominican republic:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
czech republic:
Yes
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
Signals
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used. | Not used in Dominican Republic |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Commonly used in many situations |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
dominican republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
dominican republic:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
dominican republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
dominican republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
dominican republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
dominican republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
dominican republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
dominican republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
dominican republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
dominican republic:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
dominican republic:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
dominican republic:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
dominican republic:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
dominican republic:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
dominican republic:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Frequent use in traffic |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
dominican republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
dominican republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
dominican republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
dominican republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, often at checkpoints. | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Results in arrest and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
dominican republic:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
dominican republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
dominican republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
dominican republic:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
dominican republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
dominican republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
dominican republic:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
dominican republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | 911 or designated local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | 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: General Emergency
czech republic:
112
dominican republic:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | Fines for non-compliance with signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Possible for common violations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
dominican republic:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
dominican republic:
Possible if fines are not paid