Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. Lebanon: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Dominican Republic and Lebanon, understanding the variances in regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a secure journey. From lane markings and speed limits to the nuances of vehicle documentation, this comparison unveils key distinctions that every traveler should know before hitting the road in either country.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| 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: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
lebanon:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Lebanon |
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
dominican republic:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
lebanon:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 a sign |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| 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
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
lebanon:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days