Traffic Tickets

[mitsu man]

Just returned home from Boca Chica, and had a great time as always. I rented a car for the 1st time in years, big mistake. The police (green shirts) seem to be targeting tourists. I was stopped twice ticketed once for not having my license on me but did have my passport. It was always about six or more officers with shotguns stopping the vehicles. They never gave a reason the stop, I was told this is how they raise money. Maybe I'm wrong but it just ticked me off.

[acmike]

It's never a good thing to be stopped. My understanding is that the Green Uniformed Police are less likely to shake you down like the NP. I don't know why you did'nt have your license but when I drive in the DR I make sure all my papers are in order so as not to give the Police a reason to make an issue with me. It's bad enough when the NP make things up to try to extort money from gringos. Why give them a legit reason?

[jrzyguy]

this is why i always use the gua gua from BC or elsewhere.

I believe the green shirts are amat and notoriously corrupt. Once you are thru the tourist areas you are ok. One time they tried to pull us over and taking the advise from here on DR1 we just waved at them and drove along.

[whirleybird]

Strange..... I have lived in the DR for over 3 years and been stopped at 'road blocks' numerous times. I have only ever had the paperwork for the car inspected which is all in order. I have never been asked for my driving licence (either UK or Dominican), would only hand over a photocopy anyway, otherwise would have to go through the hassle of getting it back. I have never been asked for money either by AMET or NC and always been wished a good day with a smile... oh, one particular police officer did tell me that cigarettes were not good for me as I was smoking at the the time but he was laughing when he said it!!!

[zoomzx11]

Lived here nearly four years and never had a problem. Stopped at roadblocks and on the street. Always spoke English and said "tourist" a lot never hinting at any understanding of Spanish. Smiled a lot and after a minute or two of head scratching and looking at my mass of papers I drove on. Maybe just a bit of bad luck on your part.

[donP]

Originally Posted by mitsu man

It was always about six or more officers with shotguns stopping the vehicles.

Just waving at those is no good advice.
They are not AMET and most likely not PN.

[jrzyguy]

I am confused. I always thought the little green men where AMET?

I was only stopped once. In Santo Domingo...my first trip and was on the back of a rented moto and he was driving like crazy on the malecon. We ended up having to drive to a rough area and give them 300 pesos (not bad really). First trip the D.R....it took me a few more trips before i tried driving on my own again.

[korejdk]

I had a similar experience with the AMET two years ago, yet the guy was cool, he told me that the practice pays their salaries...always wear my seat belt and have my driver license since then

[bienamor]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

I am confused. I always thought the little green men where AMET?

I was only stopped once. In Santo Domingo...my first trip and was on the back of a rented moto and he was driving like crazy on the malecon. We ended up having to drive to a rough area and give them 300 pesos (not bad really). First trip the D.R....it took me a few more trips before i tried driving on my own again.

Green = Amet
Grey = Polica National
White = Politur

[irateskateboards]

same here, been stopped once by the guys in the grey.one asked me if i had a gun.why he asked that i have no idea.i just pretended that i didnt speak spanish.he gave up trying to talk to me and the other officer told me to leave.they were very polite about it and didnt ask for anything else.
last couple times i've been down during the day around the autopista and the beach they seem to be checkin alot for seatbelts.my dominican friends always got to tell me to keep my seatbelt on.never a problem though during the night.