Is it safe to drive in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, you can drive in the Dominican Republic without drama, and thousands of visitors do it every month. What differs from the United States or Europe is not the state of the main roads — those are good — but the driving culture: motorcycles everywhere, patchy signage and a flexible reading of the rules. This is what we would want anyone taking one of our cars to know.

The speed limits the law sets

Law 63-17 on Mobility, Land Transport, Traffic and Road Safety sets out, in article 268, the limits that apply wherever no sign says otherwise. They are worth reading, because they surprise visitors: in town they are low.

• Residential urban areas: 30 km/h; on avenues, 60 km/h.
• Rural areas: 60 km/h.
• School zones, and around churches and cemeteries: 20 km/h.
• Tunnels, flyovers and underpasses: 60 km/h.
• Highways and motorways: set by the Ministry of Public Works through signage, and never above 120 km/h.
• Toll plazas: 10 km/h in the paying lane and 40 km/h in the non-paying lane.

In practice your real speed is whatever the sign in front of you says, plus common sense: traffic flows nicely on the Las Américas highway, and inside the neighbourhoods of Santo Domingo Este you will be going far slower than any limit.

Seat belts, children and alcohol: the three that get checked

Seat belts are compulsory for the driver and for passengers; travelling without one is an explicit offence under article 231. With children, article 69 requires under-12s to travel in the rear seats, under-6s in a forward-facing child seat, and 6- to 12-year-olds on a booster so the rear belt fits properly.

The alcohol rule is clear: it is illegal to drive with more than 0.5 grams per litre in the blood or 0.25 milligrams per litre in exhaled air (article 258). For public transport and cargo drivers, and for anyone on a learner permit, the limit is 0.0. DIGESETT officers do run breath tests, and on weekends near nightlife areas they are routine. The sensible rule is the usual one: if you are going out drinking, leave the car.

A phone in your hand is penalised as a distraction (article 221); hands-free is allowed. If you are going to navigate from your phone, mount it before you set off.

What the traffic is actually like

• Motorcycles everywhere. They appear on your right, on your left and against the flow. Look twice before changing lanes or opening a door.
• Indicators are used sparingly. Watch the front wheels of the car beside you more than its lights.
• Speed bumps are common and sometimes unpainted. Slow down on neighbourhood streets.
• Potholes open up after rain, even on big avenues. Keep enough distance to see them coming.
• At night, secondary roads have unlit stretches, pedestrians and the occasional animal. Do long drives in daylight if you can.
• Carry cash in pesos for the tolls; the queues move quickly.

None of this is exotic — it is the same adjustment anyone makes driving in a new city. The difference is that here it pays to drive defensively from the first kilometre.

Traffic checkpoints: what to do

If a DIGESETT officer waves you down, pull over to the side of the road. You are required to identify yourself and show the vehicle documents (article 232). Always carry your licence — the law requires it — and keep the car papers in the glovebox. If your licence is from another country, driving in the DR with a foreign licence explains exactly how that works.

Which vehicle makes for calmer driving

A taller car sees the traffic better and suffers less over potholes. That is why most of our guests who drive themselves choose an SUV: the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring has modern driver aids and sips fuel in the city; the 2021 CR-V EX-L 4x4 adds traction for beach tracks; and for six or more travellers the Honda Odyssey Elite saves you making two trips. See the full fleet in the catalogue, or tell us your route on the booking page.

If your plan involves crossing the island, Santo Domingo to Punta Cana by car has the route with times and stops.

Updated on September 23, 2026.