In today’s article, you will read about how to choose and buy a car in the Dominican Republic, as well as the realities of driving in Hispaniola (traffic, road conditions). Is it worth risking driving on the local highways and sandy roads? How can one survive in traffic that feels more like a video game than reality?
How to Choose and Buy a Car in the Dominican Republic – Step-by-Step
Before buying a car, it must, of course, be chosen. How to do this properly when living in the Dominican Republic? First and foremost – it is advisable to opt for a relatively new vehicle (e.g., 2-3 years old); this will reduce the risk of it being heavily worn out or having hidden defects. The second tip is to buy a car from a foreigner – people from outside the Dominican Republic often sell cars because they are moving out of the country (such a transaction is generally more transparent). It is also important to find out exactly why the person is selling the car. While honesty is hard to come by in car sales, you might be able to learn interesting information about the vehicle. 🙂
Additional tips:
- include a clause in the contract stating that 10% of the amount is allocated for repairs within the first 6 months (if the seller refuses – the car may have hidden defects);
- choose American, Japanese, or Korean brands, and avoid European ones – in the Dominican Republic, most cars come from the USA, and mechanics are most familiar with them;
- if you know a trusted mechanic, take the car for a thorough inspection – they will assess the technical condition of the vehicle and help detect hidden defects.
As you can see, the process of choosing and buying a car in the Dominican Republic is not as different as it might be, for example, in Poland. Once you have chosen a specific vehicle, you will need to visit a notary (in the Dominican Republic, car purchase and sale transactions take place in the presence of a professional). Then:
- the seller provides the so-called matricula (equivalent to a vehicle registration document) and vehicle documents – this document confirms car ownership;
- to become the owner, you must transfer the title of ownership to your name – the cost of this procedure is approximately 500 USD, and the waiting time is from two weeks to a month;
- along with the car, you can take over the existing insurance, but it does not cover the driver, only the vehicle itself.
We recommend purchasing new third-party liability insurance (approximately 200 USD per year) or comprehensive insurance (approximately 700 USD per year, the exact amount depends on engine capacity and car age). Remember: never carry the original matricula in the car. In case of loss or theft, the procedure for its re-issuance is time-consuming and costly. Keep the original in a safe place and only carry a copy in the car.
Importing a Car to the Dominican Republic
Cars older than 5 years cannot be imported to the island, and customs duties must also be paid. If you do not wish to do this, you can easily buy cars of top brands (and more) in the Dominican Republic. In Santo Domingo, you will find showrooms for Ford, KIA, Porsche, and many others. Regardless of the brand, we recommend purchasing a car with higher suspension, mainly due to the “speed bumps” (more on which later in the article) and the possibility of off-road excursions. After all, there are many places in the Dominican Republic accessible only via sandy or gravel roads, where a beautiful waterfall or river awaits at the end.
Dominican Road Realities – Traffic and Road Conditions
Traffic in the Dominican Republic is a mixture of chaos and specific rules that often do not align with the regulations we know from Poland. Here are the most important points:
- drivers notoriously ignore regulations, use horns to communicate with each other, and right-of-way at intersections is treated very loosely (according to the principle of “first come, first served”);
- in the Dominican Republic, cars do not undergo mandatory technical inspections – this means that vehicles in terrible technical condition can be found on the road, such as disintegrating trucks or cars with missing parts, e.g., engine hoods;
- instead of turn signals, Dominican drivers often use their hands to indicate their intentions – for example, to signal a turn or allow overtaking;
- motorcycles and scooters, known as motoconchos, are a popular means of transport – they move wherever there is even a little space, bypassing traffic jams and squeezing between cars;
- Dominican cars often have tinted windows, which means that many drivers use high beams at night.
Although traffic is very chaotic, it is hard to complain about the condition of the roads themselves. Here’s what you can specifically expect:
- main routes, such as highways leading to Santo Domingo, Santiago, or Punta Cana, are wide, two-lane, and well-maintained;
- the condition of local roads is also quite good, but it is worth watching out for potholes – they are sometimes temporarily marked with paint or sticks;
- at the entrances to towns and villages, speed bumps, known as “sleeping policemen,” are common and usually not well marked – if you see a group of people selling fruit or coffee, it’s a sign that such a “speed bump” may be nearby.
If you get used to the Dominican driving “culture,” there’s a good chance you’ll find driving here much more enjoyable than in Poland. 😉
In summary…
As you can see, buying a car is not as difficult as it might seem, and the Dominican Republic is a country that can be explored by “four wheels.” However, remember to follow the tips described above and use a trusted notary who will help you navigate the entire administrative and legal procedure. We hope this blog helps you in purchasing a car and dispels the notion of the country as a third-world nation or one where it’s better not to leave the hotel, let alone rent a car. The Dominican Republic is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country worth exploring in various ways.
If you have any questions regarding buying a car or driving in the Dominican Republic, please write to us. Leszek, who has been traveling the roads of the Dominican Republic for over 9 years, is on site and will be happy to share his experiences with you.
Jędrzej Pacak
