Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. Peru: Key Differences
The driving environments in the Dominican Republic and Peru present distinct challenges for travelers. While both countries have established regulations, notable differences arise in speed limits, lane usage, and enforcement practices. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on the roads of these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
peru:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
peru:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Peru |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
dominican republic:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
peru:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Turns
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
peru:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
peru:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
peru:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| 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
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
peru:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
peru:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay