Driving in the Dominican Republic
Driving in the Dominican Republic
Driving in the Dominican Republic
Its more than obvious that not all Dominican drivers have a driving license, and their way of driving is often very unpredictable. The sign of a hand is nothing but a matter of fact that the driver want to do something – anything.
The number of motorcyclists who often do not wear helmets (the duty to have a helmet in the Dominican Repulse is only a motorcycle driver) is countless on the Dominican roads. One motobike can transport the whole family, a huge amount of luggage, or the whole family and a huge amount of luggage together.
If we can advise, avoid driving at night. Not all Dominican motocycles always have the lights in order. And if the lights are working, then they use mainly high beams. Even when you are right in front of them driving from the opposite direction they are not willing to turn them off. Most likely they will even start to blink just to be sure you will see them. Unpredictable dominicans are not the only danger, then come animals, potholes and luck of street lamps…
Throughout the Dominican Republic, many military control posts are deployed – especially at the border with Haiti. Foreigners are not usually checked, however this not apply in case of drug and weapons.
The main roads are in relatively good condition. Nevertheless there are still many construction works going on to improve the road to Santo Domingo and its connection with other regions. In the countryside, roads are often non-paved or full of potholes. For frequent trips, you will better need to drive four by four wheel vehicle. Watch out vehicles which stop abruptly at or near the edge of the road, as well as animals that move freely around the countryside.
Also, drivers of guagua bus, don’t give so much of respect for other drivers, especially while fighting for customers. All retarders are in different heights and often located in incomprehensible places thus will surely check your reactions. Sometimes retarders are placed on street as a sales trick to make you slow down and buy something in local shop.
In the Dominican Republic you drive on right side, overtakes from the left – but not always! Maximum permitted speeds are 40km / h in cities, 60km / h in the suburbs and 80km / h on first-class roads. The traffic marks are visible however, the locals consider them more as a recommendation than a rule. Do not forget to fasten your seat belt, do not phone while driving and pray to your god!
Here are some unpublished road traffic rules, as used by Dominicans and expacts who have been living here for some time.
- Use a lot of horn – for any reason, for no reason, at any time. Horn on the driver in front of you, who allowed to stop at the red. It does not help, but it’s a good satisfaction for the one who’s behind you.
- Always drive on full throttle. Slow ride is a sign of weakness.
- If there is a car right in front of you try to overtake it – immediately. It does not matter whether from the left or right side. You have to get ahead of him. It does not matter if you are a GUA-GUA driver and you have to stop in 20m and speed up and overtake it again.
- If you are a man, never let the woman to overtake you. Such rudeness must not be tolerated.
- Do not try to turn left while driving in the Dominican Republic! The driver behind you will probably try to overtake you. You can’t expect that the driver will slowdown or stop behind you to let you turn left. Drive to the side road, wait up to 5 km from both directions, the road will be free, then turn quickly. Or drive to the opposite direction for about ½ km before the turn and then without slowing down slightly turn left.
- When the driver is turning left in front of you, you can immediately crash him.
- When you are want to go from the side street to the main road and the only one who are driving along the main road are motorcycles, don’t take them as a obstacle and easily drive right in front of them. If the collision happen motorbike will surely loses, so it’s up to them to avoid you.
- Ignore traffic lights they are here in the Dominican Republic just to impress tourists.
- If you get into the traffic jam and there is the only possible place to pass, block it immediately. And do not forget to try your horn!
- When the car in front of you is overtaking the car you absoultely have to start to overtake the car too. At this point, you have three cars running in one row over the entire width of the road. If you are a Gua Gua driver, this is the best way to lift adrenaline to all passengers.
- When driving at night, keep the high beams on at all times. Do feel dazzled by cars coming from the opposite direction? No problem – put your sunglasses on.
- Seat belts are just fashion accessory for Gringos (strangers or tourists).
- If you know the driver of the car you decided to overtake, slow down and drive a few miles to get a good chat. If the driver is an unknown beauty, it’s the best time to get her phone number.
- Turn signal lights and warning lights are meant to be to alert other drivers. But since everyone is your enemy on the road, there is no need to warn them in advance.
- When you park and see the sign – NO PARKING – it does mean that to park here is not allowed but of course it does not apply to you personally.
- Music in the car must always play loudly, otherwise you have nothing to do on the road.
