The are many car, motorcycle and scooter rentals
in the Dominican Republic. You can rental by the hour, half-day,
full-day and for longer rental periods. All airports in the Dominican
Republic have rental services.
Generally, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is
21 years old (in some cases, 25 years old with major rentals).
You will need to produce a valid Passport, valid Driver's License
(International or from your own country) and credit card, to secure
a vehicle rental contract. Most rental companies will expect to
take an open credit card voucher or your Passport, which they'll
return when you return the vehicle in the good order.
Make sure you have Insurance
If you don't have rental insurance on your credit card or other
means make sure you read the rental agreements before you sign
and rent your vehicle . Insurance is relatively expensive and a
collision-damage waiver is essential if you don't want to pay
for the full value of repairs for damages, in the event of an
accident. Thoroughly inspect the vehicle before and after your
rental duration. Make sure everything is intact and you agree
with the rental policies.
Always be prepared when renting.
If renting a car, van, or truck, make sure there is a spare tire
and jack in the event of a flat tire. Last, but not least, ensure
you have a contact number from the Operator, in the event you
encounter problems.
Right side of the road, not always
right of way.
In the Dominican Republic the rules of the road basically apply
as they do in North America. Please becarful in smaller cities
as these rules are not always fully enforced. Take extreme caution
when driving on the roads at night as some vehicles don't meet
most safety standards. The roads are poorly lit and animals can
roam across without being noticed. Speeding and tailgating are
quite common, and passing is done almost anywhere, including curved
road areas.
One commonly practiced custom is honking your horn to give warning
before passing. The main roads throughout the Dominican Republic
are in good condition, while secondary roads can have stretches
of potholes and ruts, or even unpaved sections and shallow river
crossings in the countryside.
Tolls and Fuel.
Gas stations measure fuel by the American gallon and toll must
be paid on expressways in and out of Santo Domingo.
