Driving in Dominican Republic vs. Spain: Key Differences
Exploring the road regulations between the Dominican Republic and Spain reveals significant contrasts that impact travel safety. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol enforcement and emergency contacts, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad. Navigate your journey with confidence by familiarizing yourself with these essential differences.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 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: 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
spain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
spain:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay