Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. Singapore
When comparing the road rules and regulations of the Dominican Republic and Singapore, distinct contrasts emerge. While the Dominican Republic drives on the right and features more lenient overtaking practices, Singapore adheres to strict traffic enforcement and left-side driving. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not allowed. |
| 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 peak 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
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.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Singapore |
| 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
singapore:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| 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 crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| 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
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
singapore:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
dominican republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| 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
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay