Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. Japan
When venturing from the Dominican Republic to Japan, understanding the nuances of roadway regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and the use of bus lanes. While the Dominican Republic favors right-side driving, Japan adheres to the left, showcasing a fascinating array of traffic protocols unique to each nation.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Japan |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
japan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| 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 | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
japan:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
japan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| 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 or JAF |
| 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
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days