Driving in Dominican Republic vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Discover the contrasting road practices between the Dominican Republic and Switzerland in our comprehensive comparison. While both nations prioritize driving safety, they showcase notable disparities in speed limits, lane usage, and traffic regulations. Understanding these distinctions can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
switzerland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
switzerland:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
dominican republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
dominican republic:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| 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
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay