Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. New Zealand
When navigating the roads of the Dominican Republic versus New Zealand, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern each country's motoring culture. Key variations include driving on different sides of the road and unique speed limits, highlighting the importance of adapting to local norms for safer travel.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning 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 during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
new zealand:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in New Zealand |
| 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
dominican republic:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay