Carry passport and valid driving licence
RequiredVisitors may drive on a UK or EU licence for up to 90 days; always carry passport plus licence when behind the wheel.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Dominican Republic
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Dominican Republic: 8 legal requirements + 9 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
4
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Dominican Republic
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
Carry passport and valid driving licence
Visitors may drive on a UK or EU licence for up to 90 days; always carry passport plus licence when behind the wheel.
Tourist card / e-Ticket on entry
All arrivals must complete the free electronic e-Ticket (entry/exit form) at eticket.migracion.gob.do before landing; the USD 10 tourist card fee is bundled into most airline tickets.
Rental car insurance is mandatory
Local third-party liability cover must be purchased with the rental (around USD 15-25 per day); UK/EU credit-card CDW is generally not accepted as primary cover.
Drive on the right
Traffic drives on the right with overtaking on the left; this is the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits
Motorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 80-100 km/h, urban areas 40-60 km/h; limits are frequently lower and erratically signposted.
Blood alcohol limit 0.05 percent
BAC limit is 0.5 g/L (0.05%), the same as most of the EU; penalties include heavy fines and detention, and roadside checks are common at night.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
Front seatbelts are mandatory, children under 5 must be in a child seat, and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited.
Spare tyre, jack and warning triangle
Vehicles must carry a serviceable spare wheel, jack and a reflective warning triangle; rental cars normally include these: verify before driving off.
Documents
1949 International Driving Permit (IDP)
RecommendedThe Dominican Republic recognises the 1949 Geneva IDP; UK drivers can obtain one from the Post Office for GBP 5.50 and police often ask for it at checkpoints.
Tourist card / e-Ticket on entry
RequiredAll arrivals must complete the free electronic e-Ticket (entry/exit form) at eticket.migracion.gob.do before landing; the USD 10 tourist card fee is bundled into most airline tickets.
Rental car insurance is mandatory
RequiredLocal third-party liability cover must be purchased with the rental (around USD 15-25 per day); UK/EU credit-card CDW is generally not accepted as primary cover.
Emergency number 911
Good to knowThe unified emergency number 911 operates nationwide with English-speaking dispatch in tourist areas; for traffic incidents also call AMET (transit police) on 829-688-2638.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right with overtaking on the left; this is the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits
RequiredMotorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 80-100 km/h, urban areas 40-60 km/h; limits are frequently lower and erratically signposted.
Blood alcohol limit 0.05 percent
RequiredBAC limit is 0.5 g/L (0.05%), the same as most of the EU; penalties include heavy fines and detention, and roadside checks are common at night.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
RequiredFront seatbelts are mandatory, children under 5 must be in a child seat, and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited.
Avoid driving after dark
RecommendedThe FCDO and most rental companies warn against driving outside cities after sunset due to unlit roads, livestock, potholes, and motorcycles without lights.
Motorbikes (motoconchos) ignore lane rules
Good to knowExpect mopeds to overtake on either side, run red lights and travel against traffic; always check mirrors before changing lane or opening a door.
Tolls
Toll roads on main autopistas
Good to knowThe DR-1 (Santo Domingo-Santiago), DR-2, DR-3 Coral and Punta Cana-Samana highways charge cash tolls of roughly RD$60-415 (EUR 1-7) per plaza; budget around EUR 8-15 per 100 km on tolled corridors.
Paso Rapido tag for frequent users
RecommendedAn electronic Paso Rapido transponder lets you skip cash lanes, but for short tourist visits paying cash in pesos at the booth is simpler. Keep small notes ready.
Required equipment
Spare tyre, jack and warning triangle
RequiredVehicles must carry a serviceable spare wheel, jack and a reflective warning triangle; rental cars normally include these: verify before driving off.
Environment
Hurricane season June to November
Good to knowTropical storms can flood roads and trigger landslides on mountain routes like the Cordillera Central; check weather and Obras Publicas updates before long trips.
Money
Currency and fuel prices
Good to knowCurrency is the Dominican peso (RD$, ~65 to 1 EUR); petrol costs around RD$290/litre (about EUR 4.40/litre) and diesel is slightly cheaper, with attendants pumping fuel: tip RD$20-50.
Cash for tolls and rural areas
RecommendedCards work in supermarkets and hotels but toll booths, small colmados and rural fuel stations are cash-only; declare amounts over USD 10,000 equivalent at customs.
Plan your Dominican Republic road trip
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Don't get caught out
Watch out for these
Drive on the right
RequiredTraffic drives on the right with overtaking on the left; this is the opposite of the UK and Ireland.
Speed limits
RequiredMotorway (autopista) 120 km/h, rural roads 80-100 km/h, urban areas 40-60 km/h; limits are frequently lower and erratically signposted.
Blood alcohol limit 0.05 percent
RequiredBAC limit is 0.5 g/L (0.05%), the same as most of the EU; penalties include heavy fines and detention, and roadside checks are common at night.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
RequiredFront seatbelts are mandatory, children under 5 must be in a child seat, and handheld mobile use while driving is prohibited.