Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. El Salvador
Explore the unique driving landscapes of the Dominican Republic and El Salvador. While both nations share certain road customs, significant contrasts emerge in speed limits, road etiquette, and the presence of cycling lanes. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in either country.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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
el salvador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
el salvador:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
el salvador:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
el salvador:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
el salvador:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not common in El Salvador |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
dominican republic:
Signal when exiting
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
el salvador:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory annual inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
el salvador:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
el salvador:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay