[VFOVkZBj]

What do you have to do to get a driving license in DR? Do you have to go through lessons then take a test or what?

I have never driven in DR, and whilst I consider myself to be a fairly aggressive driver in England, it would scare the s**t out of me if I had to drive in a city over there. I used to think when I first started visiting that you would have to drive really defensively to stay safe, but I've totally changed that opinion now - I think you have to drive as recklessly as possible (just like everyone else!) in order to stay safe.

[Imagimifouxum]

Originally posted by Dominican Babe
What do you have to do to get a driving license in DR? Do you have to go through lessons then take a test or what?

I have never driven in DR, and whilst I consider myself to be a fairly aggressive driver in England, it would scare the s**t out of me if I had to drive in a city over there. I used to think when I first started visiting that you would have to drive really defensively to stay safe, but I've totally changed that opinion now - I think you have to drive as recklessly as possible (just like everyone else!) in order to stay safe. I totally agree with you. I put on my NYC taxi drivers hat on while in the DR and the SOB's better watch out for me!

I just gave my attorney 75- bucks and she got my license done. Forget the other BS!

[jgztw2es]

The average Dominican has no sense of time and or timing. When they see an open spot on either side of you, they take it not thinking about the extra 5 minutes that they will spend in a traffic jam caused by doing so.

How about when someone does decide to stop for a red light? They often stop 10 feet past the intersection blocking the first lane of the perpendicular street that has the green light.

I have been driving here for more that 10 years now and my opinion is that the quality of driving is getting worse every year.

On any major intersection in SD, you can see drivers running red lights and making illegal turns right in front of AMET without AMET even blinking an eye. But don't let AMET catch you using a cell phone or not wearing a seat belt. That seems to be all that interests them.

I could go on and on but it won't change a thing. If you are going to drive here, it is best to just adapt to the Dominican way. I find that I have much less stress after having done so.

[bjacogaerllyo]

Solamente 6? Y quanto mas detras de tu cabeza?

[DrunkMans]

I didnt find driving in the DR as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be. Some people are a little reckless and you have to watch out for all the damn motorbikes.You just have to pay attention and use your head. I was a little worried that if I DID have an accident that the police would automatically say it was my fault because I am a gringo. But I guess this is one of the things that you have to deal with as a gringo in the DR. The roads on the other hand are deplorable. Any car thats too close to the ground could destroy its front end in a hurry.
Larry

[Rinkeliacasse]

A friend of mine let me use his Chevy Blazer since he was only in the DR about one week every 3 months.I gave it back,and went with my 1987 Ford Aero Star van! I couldn't drive the way I wanted in the Chevy.I was afraid I would smash it up.My Ford has huge iron pipe bumpers,front and rear! They are called "Defensa" here,and "Roo Guards" Down Undah!They "DEMAND" respect! The day I put them on I became "King Of The Road"! Even the "Publicos" get out of my way! Those that don't have the "scars" to prove it! I have left two cars destroyed in the streets of Santo Domingo! lots of "MotoConchos",even a small truck.I have 6 Quartz-Halogen lights mounted 4 on top,and 2 on the "defensa".At night I look like a huge truck coming at you!I never stop after an accident,just keep on truck'n! One day I stopped behind a bus,one of those "Learn-To-Drive" little truck ran right into my back bumper.Tore it up good! My paint was scrapped! I got out my can of black spray paint,and touch it up on the spot.Just to **** of the "Dominican Driving Instuctor"(Now There Is An Oxymoron!!) He still claimed that it was my fault!
It all comes back to my continuous observation,that the total failure to accept personal responsibility for one's actions is the root of ALL PROBLEMS in the Dominican Republic!!!!!!!
Cris Colon

[appleiphoneees]

We all agree that driving in the DR can quite an experience. One thing that really stands out is how difficult it is for Dominicans to line up behind each other when pulling up to a major road (when the access road is wide enough for several cars).

At the Cofresi entrance near Puerto Plata, when you are waiting for traffic to pull out to go on the main highway to go East towards PoP, Dominicans wont line up behind you, they will pull their car up next to you - which of course prevents you from seeing traffic. Now, you can't go, and he cant go (sometimes they go anyway, even if they cannot see traffic on one side), because you cant see traffic on one side of the highway, so the third car behind you now pulls out next to you on the other side. This becomes quite humourous, as the three cars are now blocking the entrance for cars to pull into Cofresi.

I see this happening almost every day, its very funny. I mean, how difficult can it be to line your car up behind the car in front of you? I guess they want a chance to pull out onto the highway before the car that got there first does. It actually gets dangerous because people get ****ed off and then try to cut the car off that is cutting in their line when they pull out.

Its one of those Dominican drivingnism that baffle me.

[ManHolDenPoker]

Aqui no hay problemas, tienes que tener 6 par de ojos, nada mas!

[bjacogaerllyo]

Originally posted by Criss Colon
It all comes back to my continuous observation,that the total failure to accept personal responsibility for one's actions is the root of ALL PROBLEMS in the Dominican Republic!!!!!!!
Cris Colon Not just in the D.R., CC. That's why I left the U.S.

[jgztw2es]

Quote by Dominican Babe
"What do you have to do to get a driving license in DR? Do you have to go through lessons then take a test or what?"

I don't know if being from England would make it different than from being from the USA but the following was my experience:
#1 - obtain legal residency
#2 - obtain a letter from the USA consulate that verified that my USA license was valid
#3 - have the Chancilleria put stamps (a fee/tax) on the letter from the consulate
#4 - give the letter to the Obras Publicas
#5 - take the written exam. It is in Spanish. I also had to give blood for a type and had to take an eye exam
#6 - an hour after the exam I left with my license

I understand that #2, #3 and #4 could have been ommited but then I would have had to first obtain a permit and take a road test 60 days later.

Another option offered to me by the guys working the streets in front of the Obras Publicas was to pay them a sum of money and they would deliver my license to me the next day, no questions asked. I was not comfortable with this option although I hear that many Dominicans "buy" their license in this manner. I would not recommend it. How would you know if the license is legal or not?

Comment to Chris Colon:
You said in part "It all comes back to my continuous observation,that the total failure to accept personal responsibility for one's actions is the root of ALL PROBLEMS in the Dominican Republic!!!!!!!"

I never thought about this before. You are so right!!!!!!!!!!!