My Wife & I spend some 6 months each year in the DR, escaping the Canadian winters. We have visited the DR for progressively longer periods since our early retirement & fortunately have never had an accident. Recent posts in this Message Board allerted us to the fact that our Canadian Drivers Licences were valid here for only 90 days. Despite the fact that our insurance company demands that we pay for a full year of insurance, it was clear that on the 91st day, our insurance was in default because of our expired drivers licences. To correct this situation we went through the process of paying for the necessary papers at the Bank de Reservas, then to the drivers licence office in Puerto Plata. The crowds there were huge, but we stayed and got our blood groups and eye tests done. We were told to return at 6.30am the next day to put our names on a list so we would not have to wait too long for the theory test which (if passed) would give us a 45 day provisional licence,(valid only for us to drive if accompanied by a person with a full licence.)We returned the next day at 7am to huge crowds and chaotic conditions. After 6hours we did the theory tests, all in Spanish which I don't read well. I passed the test just by sheer luck & guessing. My wife failed and was told to return in 10 days to repeat the test.I will have to return in 45 days for the practical drivers test, despite the fact that between us we have been driving for 100 years. We saw 'illiterate' Dominicans 'taking' the test with constant coaching by a staff person and passing. We could have had a Dominican stand in for us for the theory test
while we stood there to get our picture taken for the card, but decided to do it legally. It was a disturbing and exhausting experience for us, and we are not through it all yet. Canadian Bob
while we stood there to get our picture taken for the card, but decided to do it legally. It was a disturbing and exhausting experience for us, and we are not through it all yet. Canadian Bob
