Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs Jamaica
When exploring the roads of the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Notably, the Dominican Republic drives on the right while Jamaica favors the left. Additionally, speed limits vary, and unique road etiquette shapes each country's driving experiences. Discover these crucial disparities to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and secure.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
dominican republic:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
dominican republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
dominican republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
dominican republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
dominican republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
dominican republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
dominican republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
dominican republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
dominican republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
dominican republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
dominican republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
dominican republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
dominican republic:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
dominican republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
dominican republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
dominican republic:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
dominican republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
dominican republic:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
dominican republic:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines