Dominican Republic Vehicle Registration Process

Registering A Vehicle In The Dominican Republic

There are some things to be careful about when registering an imported vehicle. It can often be a good idea, especially for expats and foreigners, to seek out the services of an attorney to help make things easier. It’s not uncommon for people to be taken advantage of while going through the process of registering on their own.

Another caveat: any auto imported into the Republic has to be less than 5 years old and most of what are considered luxury cars are not allowed. Nor are vehicles that have more than six cylinders.

Registration

As mentioned above, the process of getting auto-registered can be somewhat complicated, particularly for an outsider, which is why an attorney is recommended. That said, there are some documents (the attorney will assist you with this) that will be needed to get registered. It’s more or less what you’d expect:

• Title
• Registration
• ID & passport
• Proof of purchase/invoice
• Driver’s license

Depending on your particular situation, there may be additional documents needed besides those listed above. Be sure to double-check any information you get to make sure it’s accurate. The U.S. Embassy (see link at the bottom of this page) is a great resource for this type of information.

Are you curious about the cost of moving, or want to know what the requirements are? Click here to visit our dedicated web page for services to the Dominican Republic and get access to several other resources related to moving to the country!

Driving & Getting A License

A medical checkup is needed to obtain a driver's license in the United States which is not the case in all nations. The other conditions listed below are elementary. However, driving is not a right of passage in the Republic. Before you even think about getting behind the wheel in a foreign country read that section and familiarize yourself with the rules of the road there.

Getting A Dominican License

You are allowed to drive there for a limited time with a valid license from your home country. The timeframe for this, however, is very short so you will need to make arrangements to get a local license if you wish to operate it. To apply for it in the DR, you will need to present the following documents:

• Current valid license
• Certification
• Valid passport
• Proof of fee payments
• Medical exam

Driving In DR

It has a reputation as one of the more tough countries in which to drive, and deservedly so. Not only can some of the local drivers be somewhat erratic, but there are many pedestrians, motorcycles, and scooters to contend with as well.

Traffic signs are not always clearly marked and driving at night is not recommended as many vehicles, including motorcycles, do not have operable headlights. Another concern is that traffic laws themselves are not always followed to the letter so you have to be extra careful at lights and intersections.

Resources

U.S. Embassy In DR - If you’re a U.S. citizen, there are few better resources for finding what you need, at least in a general sense, than the U.S. Embassy. If you are having a hard time finding the right place to go for something related to registering or getting a license, they’ll be able to help.

Driving In DR - A good informational website about travel and driving. You’ll also find general safety tips and travel advice on this website.

If you’re shipping, contact us today at the number at the top of the page! Our staff is happy to offer a FREE real-time cost estimate for any type of auto being moved to or from the Dominican Republic! Call or email us today to learn more!