Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. South Africa
When exploring the driving landscape in the Dominican Republic and South Africa, significant distinctions emerge that impact road safety. Notably, while the Dominican Republic drives on the right, South Africa adheres to left-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and traffic regulations also differ, emphasizing the importance of understanding these variations for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay