Driving in the Dominican Republic vs Madagascar: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Dominican Republic and Madagascar, it's crucial to understand their unique traffic regulations and cultural practices. Key distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and road etiquette can greatly influence your journey. This comparison highlights vital aspects to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and secure in these two vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
dominican republic:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 50 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
dominican republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
madagascar:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
dominican republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority