Dominican Republic Driver’s License Written Test
As much as we complain about traffic, insane other drivers and road conditions, while vacationing in the Dominican Republic recently, I realize just how good we have it in the USA. My first impression was how terrible the drivers are there–but then I realized that it was exactly the opposite. The bad ones were all dead and the ones I was seeing were good enough to survive.
There are about 30 motorcycles to every car on the island, and they all are little 100cc putt-putts or scooters. They zip in and out of traffic; the biggest vehicle has the right of way, and I saw absolutely no indication that any traffic law was enforced. I wondered what it took to get a driver’s license there, so I went to the Dominican Republic equivalent of the DMV for a copy of the written test. With a little help from the bartender at the resort, I translated it.
15 questions, you can miss 3.
(1) When a road has no lane markings, how many lanes are there?
A – One.
B – Two.
C – Two shoulders and two lanes in each direction.
D – Infinite.
(2) Two yellow lines in the middle of the road mean:
A – No passing in either direction.
B – You may pass if the road curves either direction.
C – You may pass if your vehicle is bigger than any from the other direction.
D – No significance whatsoever.
(3) It is acceptable to drive with two wheels on the sidewalk to avoid potholes or a speed bump under what condition?
A – If there is room for pedestrians between your vehicle and the buildings.
B – If you’re riding a motorcycle.
C – The pothole is two or more feet deep.
D – The two wheels are on the same side of your vehicle.
(4) The maximum capacity of a bus containing 22 seats is?
A – 22 persons.
B – 22 persons plus the driver.
C – 55 persons.
D – Depends on how fat the persons are and how well they know each other.
(5) Once the capacity has been reached how many more passengers can hang on the outside?
A – 3 on each side.
B – 3 on the curb side.
C – 3 on the curb side and two on the back.
D – One for each window and door.
(6) Same as #4 for a one-ton Daihatsu dually.
(7) – Same as #5 for a one-ton Daihatsu dually.
(8) What is the maximum capacity for a 100cc motorcycle?
A – One.
B – Two.
C – Three.
D – Three for each helmet.
(9) It is illegal to carry on a motorcycle…
A – More than three 20 foot sections of PVC pipe.
B – Any TV set larger than 19 inch.
C – A 40 gallon propane tank.
D – None of the above.
(10) If there is a traffic accident who goes to jail?
A – The driver who is at fault.
B – The driver who can’t bribe the police.
C – The driver of the smaller (or older) vehicle.
D – Both drivers until they decide who’s at fault.
(11) While in jail, who provides meals for drivers?
A – The government.
B – The prison.
C – The ACLU.
D – The prisoner’s family or the family of another convict who really likes him.
(12) When passing, when is it safe to return to the right lane?
A – When you see the passed vehicle in your mirror.
B – One car length.
C – One vehicle length.
D – A distance inversely proportional to the speed differential between the two vehicles.
(13) A sign that says 80 Kph velociadad maxima means?
A – 80 kilos of Phosphate ahead.
B – 80 kilometers per hour maximum speed.
C – Speed limit 80 kilometers per hour faster than your dad in his Nissan Maxima.
D – No significance whatsoever.
(14) Turn signals are?
A – Turned on in the morning and left on all day.
B – Used to indicate the last direction you turned.
C – Provide a handy place to hang your purse.
D – Disabled before the vehicle enters the country.
(15) Where are the three traffic signals located?
A – Santo Domingo.
B – Puerto Plata.
C – At the Brugal Rum Factory.
D – In storage.
All correct answers are D, and don’t even get me started on the eye test.
