Driving in Dominican Republic vs Venezuela: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, understanding the distinct traffic regulations and practices is crucial for a secure journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, all of which can significantly impact your driving experience. Stay informed to ensure a safer adventure on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| 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 | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
venezuela:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
venezuela:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
venezuela:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
venezuela:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
venezuela:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
venezuela:
Not used
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
venezuela:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Warning
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| 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
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
venezuela:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
venezuela:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
venezuela:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
venezuela:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes, sometimes possible |
| 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
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay