on a road to get a dominican driving license

[LindseyKaufman]

Originally Posted by Lambada

My understanding is that those driving while their tourist visa is valid can do so on non-Dominican licences & still be able to claim on insurance. For residents, my understanding is the same as posted by Robert & others here:
international drivers permits???

Dominican Republic News & Travel Information Service - Support (DR1)

Anyone can buy car insurance, whether companies pay out on a claim is another matter. Maybe the situation has changed to encompass the scenario you describe, Lindsey, but I don't know that for sure. I do know that like everything else here, nothing is 'black & white' & sufficient persistence like beeza for example (well done, beeza!) or having friends who own the insurance company may help greatly.

Personally, I wouldn't risk it - that's why I've always been in favour of people getting their Dominican licences.
Ley 241 is here - there might be a later modified version but I'm afraid I don't have time to look right now
http://www.amet.gov.do/LEY241/LEY241.pdf

Good information, Lambada. After reading your referenced sites, it looks like the best choice, even for someone like myself, who is coming and going from the DR every 6 weeks- 3 months, is to follow the residency/DR driver's license route.

Lindsey

[carolathompson]

Why is it nessesary to have a blood test, to get a drivers license?

[SantiagoDR]

I read the eye test off in English.
The woman just gave me a strange look and passed me.

Don

[Bryanell]

Originally Posted by carolathompson

Why is it nessesary to have a blood test, to get a drivers license?

It's not really a blood test, it's just to determine your blood group.
They give you a little Cruz Roja card with your blood type to keep with your driving licence so that in the event of you're being injured in an accident the medics won't have to waste time cross-matching your blood to give infusions if necessary.

Besides, it's the only one of the tests for a driving licence that almost everyone passes first time :-)

[dv8]

in POP one takes examen teorico in a tiny room. no one else inside. no one telling you what to do. no one speaking any english whatsoever. in order to pass you have to have 70% of answers correct - which is exactly what i scored
fingerprint taken several times, also a picture. but why do they put your weight on the license beats me, after all it is not exactly as stable characteristic as height, right?
thing that surprised me most was medical. i know that in poland one has to take thorough eye exam and no one with glasses/lenses will get a permanent license.
piece of cake for anyone who speaks spanish but i had trouble understanding more complicated questions. having said that - rules/signs are no different than in poland, really. except for the fact that in poland law is less "optional" than in DR.
my provisional license is valid for a year. it is my understanding, however, that i need to take examen practico sometime in september (no more than 45 days after examen teorico). i think i will settle down for more classes with the instructor because miesposo behaves as if our car was coated in 18 carat gold: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YOU ALMOST HIT THAT CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". he simply can't relax!

[retiree]

Sorry if I missed this - do you need to have a cedula to get get a DR driver's license?

[sokitoumi]

yes - if you want a real one

[SantiagoDR]

Originally Posted by Bryanell

It's not really a blood test, it's just to determine your blood group.
They give you a little Cruz Roja card with your blood type to keep with your driving licence so that in the event of you're being injured in an accident the medics won't have to waste time cross-matching your blood to give infusions if necessary...... :-)

The blood type they "gave" me on my DR license does not agree with what the military said my blood type was.

I don't remember ever getting a complete transfusion.

Now I need to check my blood type with my doctor's office back in the states to find out which is correct.

Besides, it's the only one of the tests for a driving licence that almost everyone passes first time :-)

Looks like I flunked that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Don

[CFA123]

Lambada,
Not like you to not read the law

Art. 30.- Personas exentas del requisito de licencia.
a. Toda persona que esté debidamente autorizada para conducir un vehículo de motor en cualquier país extranjero donde se exijan requisitos similares a los establecidos por esta Ley para la concesión de licencias de conductor, y que posea y lleve consigo una licencia autorizada y en vigor en dicho país extranjero, estará autorizada para conducir tal tipo de vehículos de motor en la República Dominicana, durante los primeros noventa (90) días desde su arribo.

I too have heard people 'speak' of it & read the DR1 advice that a license only being valid for duration of tourist visa, but the version of the law you linked is the only one that I've ever seen - and to be honest, without residency and lacking better guidance it is the one I 'bank' on and further, I 'trust' that the 90 day period renews with each entry to the DR. I also know this approach potentially leaves me vulnerable!

If I missed something, I'm sure you'll let me know.

[xEnchantdFaeriex]

I got my license a year or 2 ago in Santiago, the written test was on a digital machine, (my mom was taking it with me too, cuz she decided she wanted a Dominican license without surrendering her US one.) I passed on the first try... i was like 18 at the time and got my permit. (She had to retake it... ha!) Anyhow, i had my car and was going to college for a whole year and more, it expired I took the original permit test back in 2005 i think. I remember having to go back and take the permit test again, but then my mom paid someone and i didnt have to take the practice test... Its a 100% legal license it was expensive too.. i mean the illegal part... like 2000 pesos... I was stopped once by some AMETs at like 3:30 am... but thats another story, and i guess it is real, or they couldn't tell it wasn't but it doesnt expire till 2010. I now have my US license too so i guess i won't have any problems. I did have to actually get a Cedula though, (my cedula was supposed to be temporary, even though my mom is dominican i only had "residency" for a year) and it expires in 2009... i dont really understand that mistake... but it works out good for me! I didnt take the practice test cuz i really dont know how to bribe people and have been told that when you are doing the actual driving part the guy will say... "hmmm doesnt look too good" and will fail you unless you give him like 3 or 4 hundred pesos... I just chose to avoid it all...