Driving in the Dominican Republic can feel adventurous, liberating, or intimidating, depending on where you're coming from. I learned quite a bit driving between different cities in DR, and this guide will help you know the rules, risks, and best strategies so your car journey can add to your enjoyment--not your stress!
And if you enjoy this article, you'll love my Dominican Republic road trip itinerary, too!
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Why Rent a Car & "Need a Car" Considerations
A car gives you the freedom to visit beaches, hidden towns, and hidden gem destinations on your own schedule. As an avid solo traveler, this is key for me.
But renting a car in Punta Cana has a less-than-stellar reputation. When planning my vacation, I could only find bad reviews of local rental agencies from other travelers. For this reason, I booked with a private broker called Abreu Rent Car Punta Cana and had a smooth, five-star experience. So there are good options if you vet carefully.
If you're uncomfortable driving unfamiliar roads or don't speak enough Spanish to interpret road signs, a private driver or shuttle might be safer than driving on your own.
Use my Miches day trip guide if you plan to drive to one of the DR's most beautiful beaches!
Driving Rules, Laws & Documents You Should Know
In the DR, cars drive on the right side, like in the U.S. and Canada. The legal driving age is 18 years; however, some American-owned rental car companies will add a young driver surcharge for drivers under 21 or 25.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not strictly required for short stays, but can be useful if your license is not in Spanish and you're worried about issues during police stops. In my experience, I was able to use my Texas license from the United States with no issue.
Signage is posted in Spanish with speeds in kilometers. Speed limits tend to be around 40 km/hour in city zones, 80 km/hour on rural roads, and up to 120 km/hour on freeways.
Need packing list pointers? Here's what to pack for a Dominican Republic vacation!
Safety Tips and Realities of Driving in DR
Stay alert. The Dominican Republic ranks among the more dangerous places to drive in the Caribbean, largely due to inconsistent road quality, unpredictable traffic, and limited signage.
Use Google Translate or something similar to help interpret road signs, especially in rural zones. And be sure to download your route maps for offline access in case you lose GPS signal. I had some issues with spotty service in Miches and had to pay extra close attention to signage.
Mind the speed bumps, as they are sometimes barely marked. This is the primary speed limit enforcement mechanism away from major cities, and I had a couple of last-minute brake slams to avoid damaging the rental.
Give yourself extra time to get to your destinations because traffic varies. When I was visiting Santo Domingo, the traffic was bumper-to-bumper and every driver for themselves, but in smaller towns, I was sharing the road with people on mopeds and animals like cows and goats!
Pro Travel Tip
Buy Dominican Pesos in small bills and coins to make paying for tolls and parking more convenient. The toll booth operators along my drive from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo really appreciated this!
I followed the advice I found on internet forums of keeping some small bills separate in order to pay bribes in case I got stopped by the police, but that didn't happen during my trip. I only saw Dominican police officers closer to major cities and didn't see them stopping many folks, so can't speak to that. But this is my typical practice when driving abroad anyway.
Renting a Car
You'll find many international and local care rental kiosks at the Punta Cana airport and in tourist zones. But read those reviews thoroughly because they are bleak. This is why I went through a private broker.
As a frequent traveler and former rental car service worker, I never do pick-up or drop-off without inspecting the vehicle with an employee. Better safe than sorry!
For non-residents, some rental firms may ask for an enhanced driver's license, so again, read those reviews and that fine print.
And if you plan to visit remote beaches, the roads might be unpaved, so be sure to choose an SUV, car, or truck with good clearance to explore off the beaten path.
Read up on my favorite travel credit card for rewards and travel perks like included rental car insurance!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, tourists can generally drive with their valid foreign license for up to 90 days with no conversion, though having an IDP is helpful.
That depends on your comfort level. In cities and tourist zones, it's like driving on typical US roads; in rural areas, the conditions vary, so you'll need to be patient and alert.
No. The legal blood alcohol level limit is 0.05% so avoid drunk driving.
More Favorite DR Moments
I hope this guide helps you decide what kind of vacay you want to have; whether you do a road trip in the Dominican Republic or use private and shared transportation. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this post for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
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