Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs Guatemala
When navigating the roads of the Dominican Republic and Guatemala, understanding their distinct regulations can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key distinctions include the presence of bus lanes in the Dominican Republic, varied speed limits, and differing requirements for emergency equipment. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures safer journeys in both nations.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Varies by location. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Guatemala |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
guatemala:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
guatemala:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities