Driving in Dominican Republic vs. Uganda: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison highlights key distinctions between driving in the Dominican Republic and Uganda, from lane usage and speed limits to alcohol enforcement. Discover how these variations can impact your travel experience and ensure your safety on unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks division of opposing traffic lanes. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Primarily for bicycles where available. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
uganda:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uganda:
Marks division of opposing traffic lanes.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
uganda:
Used to separate lanes of opposing traffic; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
uganda:
Not allowed
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
uganda:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
uganda:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
uganda:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uganda:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
uganda:
Primarily for bicycles where available.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
uganda:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 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: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Limited |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Signs indicate specific limits where applicable. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Common; often enforced by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
uganda:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
uganda:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
uganda:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
uganda:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
dominican republic:
No
uganda:
Limited
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
uganda:
Signs indicate specific limits where applicable.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
uganda:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
uganda:
Common; often enforced by traffic police
Signals
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Uganda |
| 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 | Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
uganda:
Not used in Uganda
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
uganda:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
uganda:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
uganda:
Sometimes diamond-shaped, backgrounds may vary
Turns
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 where not prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
uganda:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
uganda:
Allowed where not prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| 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
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uganda:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
uganda:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
uganda:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
uganda:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
uganda:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in certain situations |
| 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
uganda:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
uganda:
Frequent use in certain situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
uganda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Implemented with checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
uganda:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
uganda:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uganda:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance applies
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
uganda:
Implemented with checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
uganda:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
uganda:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through local providers or insurance companies |
| 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
uganda:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
uganda:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
uganda:
Available through local providers or insurance companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
uganda:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
uganda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Uganda | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines and potential license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Common in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
uganda:
Varies; fines can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
uganda:
Severe penalties including fines and possibly jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
uganda:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
uganda:
Fines and potential license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
uganda:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
uganda:
Common in some cases
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
uganda:
Varies; pay by deadline indicated on ticket