Driving in Dominican Republic vs. Trinidad and Tobago
When exploring the roads of the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, it's essential to understand their unique driving regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and the use of bus lanes. This comparison sheds light on crucial aspects that enhance your travel safety and driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| 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 and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 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 | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
trinidad and tobago:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
dominican republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Insurance
dominican republic:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| 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 | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days