Driving in Dominican Republic vs. Ecuador: Key Differences
When exploring the roadways of the Dominican Republic and Ecuador, understanding their unique regulations and practices is vital for a safe journey. From speed limits to lane usage, notable distinctions emerge, such as stricter alcohol limits in Ecuador and varying rules for bus lanes. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate both countries confidently.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
ecuador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
ecuador:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
ecuador:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
ecuador:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
ecuador:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
Signals
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in Dominican Republic | Not used in Ecuador |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
dominican republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
ecuador:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
ecuador:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
Turns
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection is mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use in urban areas. |
| 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
dominican republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
dominican republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
dominican republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
dominican republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| 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 | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; significant fines imposed. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
ecuador:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ecuador:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
dominican republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
dominican republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
dominican republic:
Possible for severe offenses
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
dominican republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
dominican republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
dominican republic:
Use for first exit or straight
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
dominican republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 911 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Use general emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
ecuador:
911 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
ecuador:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines apply; varies by infraction. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Hefty fines for violations. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes; often required. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. |
| 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
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
dominican republic:
Same as residents; must be paid
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
dominican republic:
Possible if fines are not paid
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.