Can exchange my USA Drivers License for a DR one?

[windeguy]

This is the best advice in this whole thread. Why jump through hoops. I can get a blind man a license here easier.............

See post 40 and explain how I can get my blind friend a license now?

 

[windeguy]

A lot easier than the process of getting all the legalization and certificates from the embassy..ect. This way you get to keep your USA driver license and also a DR license. Of course you need you Dominican cedula.

This is the best advice in this whole thread. Why jump through hoops. I can get a blind man a license here easier.............

Really? You cannot get a US license legalized at the US embassy. That is impossible.

Therefor you cannot trade a US license for a DR license since that is not possible. You keep your US license because it plays no part in the process.

The only way for a US citizen to get a DR license is to be a DR legal resident or citizen with a valid cedula and start at the beginning and go through all of the procedures (unless you are like others that just seem to be able to pay INTRANT staff off during lunch time to get their blind friend a license when they are hungry!!!!!!).

 

[william webster]

WOW!!
#40 is an eye opener.... I did it the old way.... small room w/ video

Used the driving school & had a tutor w/ me--- didn't need him but...... just the same

 

[windeguy]

My wife and I exchanged our NY state driver's license for a dominican one in 2000. IIRC I got some printout of my license from DMV (driving record??? not sure, don't remember), took it to state department got it verified and stamped. In DR I had it translated it to spanish then verified and stamped at cancilleria. I went to dominican motor vehicle (don't recall what it was called then but it wasn't INTRANT) checked vision, blood and took photo. About 30 minutes later walked out with license in hand. Take all this with a rock of salt it was 22 years ago but the point is that they use to do the USA license exchange. The process was straight forward. I don't know why they are not accepting USA license for exchange anymore. Maybe they are but certain state don't have the verification facility???? I know it wasn't difficult and quite common in NYC back in the days.

You were lucky. The reason is that the US Embassy does not validate licenses because each state issues them. It is a "state's right".
I believe you worked the system to your advantage. Perhaps people from NY can still do that and perhaps from other states.
They did a NY State license exchange, not a USA license exchange because of the state's rights issue here.
Just don't waste time trying to do so at the US Embassy.

 

[SKY]

Really? You cannot get a US license legalized at the US embassy. That is impossible.

Therefor you cannot trade a US license for a DR license since that is not possible. You keep your US license because it plays no part in the process.

The only way for a US citizen to get a DR license is to be a DR legal resident or citizen with a valid cedula and start at the beginning and go through all of the procedures (unless you are like others that just seem to be able to pay INTRANT staff off during lunch time to get their blind friend a license when they are hungry!!!!!!).

Who said anything about exchanging a US license for a DR one, you not me.............Anyone with a Cedula can reach in their pocket and get a license PERIOD. And you don't need to go to Puerto Plata to get it. Many sleepy spots to get one. Wake up......................

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Really? You cannot get a US license legalized at the US embassy. That is impossible.

Therefor you cannot trade a US license for a DR license since that is not possible. You keep your US license because it plays no part in the process.

The only way for a US citizen to get a DR license is to be a DR legal resident or citizen with a valid cedula and start at the beginning and go through all of the procedures (unless you are like others that just seem to be able to pay INTRANT staff off during lunch time to get their blind friend a license when they are hungry!!!!!!).

Can illegal aliens get one?

 

[windeguy]

Who said anything about exchanging a US license for a DR one, you not me.............Anyone with a Cedula can reach in their pocket and get a license PERIOD. And you don't need to go to Puerto Plata to get it. Many sleepy spots to get one. Wake up......................

I am wide awake. The only place my wife could get her motorcycle driver's license was at INTRANT in Puerto Plata.
It was impossible in Gaspar Hernandez or Jamao. Those locations no longer work. So we are "woke", thanks.

Where else in the Cabarete/Sosua area do you think a driver's license can be gotten?

 

[windeguy]

Can illegal aliens get one?

Just as soon as they become legal. 😇 I asked at INTRANT this week. A foreign license is valid for 90 days.😒
My illegal alien friend will not be getting a DR motorcycle license, for example.

 

[SKY]

I am wide awake. The only place my wife could get her motorcycle driver's license was at INTRANT in Puerto Plata.
It was impossible in Gaspar Hernandez or Jamao. Those locations no longer work. So we are "woke", thanks.

Where else in the Cabarete/Sosua area do you think a driver's license can be gotten?

First off I am talking about a DRIVERS LICENSE, not Moto. And I am also talking about getting one in the DR. The DR is not just about Sosoua/Cabarete to me....................

 

[johne]

First off I am talking about a DRIVERS LICENSE, not Moto. And I am also talking about getting one in the DR. The DR is not just about Sosoua/Cabarete to me....................

Yes. My caddy tried that bit of shuffle a couple of months ago. I was looking for another driver for those days that my regular one can't work. I asked if he had a license. Sure! let me see it. Well,,,,, for my Moto, not for your car. I need to go to La Romana for that and have $200....... Great lets play golf. Two months later still no license and he will Never drive anything but the golf cart for me. Slippery when dry or wet.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Yes. My caddy tried that bit of shuffle a couple of months ago. I was looking for another driver for those days that my regular one can't work. I asked if he had a license. Sure! let me see it. Well,,,,, for my Moto, not for your car. I need to go to La Romana for that and have $200....... Great lets play golf. Two months later still no license and he will Never drive anything but the golf cart for me. Slippery when dry or wet.

Are you playing on the Saudi Tour

 

[NotLurking]

You were lucky. The reason is that the US Embassy does not validate licenses because each state issues them. It is a "state's right".
I believe you worked the system to your advantage. Perhaps people from NY can still do that and perhaps from other states.
They did a NY State license exchange, not a USA license exchange because of the state's rights issue here.
Just don't waste time trying to do so at the US Embassy.

The DR embassy does not provide info on how to get a USA driver's license certified but other embassy's citizen services do. For example the Ecuador US embassy:

Authentication of a U.S. Driver’s License​

Please be advised that the U.S. Embassy is not allowed to provide any type of letter or certification on a U.S. issued driver’s license as these documents are issued by every state.

The issuing state is the only one that can certify the driver’s license; therefore, you must obtain a letter/certification from the state’s motor vehicle department.
Once the certification has been obtained, it should be submitted to the Secretary of State of the issuing state for an apostille in order for the document to be valid in Ecuador.

This sounds very close to what I did many moons ago in NYC.

From Australian US embassy:

Individual driving records are maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the individual states. As a federal U.S. government agency, the U.S. Department of State does not maintain these records, nor is our office able to access them.

If you have lost your U.S. drivers license, or require a copy of your driving record, the U.S. Consulates are unable to assist. U.S. citizens abroad will need to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) in the State their driver’s license was issued for assistance with driver’s records, license renewals, or documentation to obtain an Australian driver’s license.

The key from the above quote is that states provide documentation required for the international license exchange.

Finally from Portugal US embassy:

U.S. citizens need to present the following document issued in the USA to the local authorities:

An abstract of driving record from the issuing authority in the last state of residence in the United States. Here is the contact info for the DMV The Abstract must attest the authenticity of the driving license, date of issue and expiration date, class of vehicles that you may drive and any suspension and revocation.
The Abstract must be authenticated. The authentication process called an “Apostille” is requested from the State authority. Please follow the link to the US States Designated authorities for authentications

I believe that it is still possible to have a USA driver's license exchanged for a dominican one. However it might be better for some to just acquire the DR license the traditional way or perhaps even as some suggest the more creative way.

 

[zoomzx11]

I need to get a DR License - I have my cedula but don't speak or read Spanish very well (yet).

Can a USA Drivers License holder exchange their license for a DR License without doing the test?

Thanks for the help.

You will soon find out that reasonable and sensible do not exist here.
This country does not welcome foreigners other than as a source of revenue.

From watching the other drivers it is hard to imagine they qualified for a license.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

You will soon find out that reasonable and sensible do not exist here.
This country does not welcome foreigners other than as a source of revenue.

From watching the other drivers it is hard to imagine they qualified for a license.

Well based on my experience on the road here, all you basically need is a face and 500 pesos.

 

[bob saunders]

You will soon find out that reasonable and sensible do not exist here.
This country does not welcome foreigners other than as a source of revenue.

From watching the other drivers it is hard to imagine they qualified for a license.

Sorry YOU feel unwelcomed, I don't feel that way.

 

[SKY]

Yes. My caddy tried that bit of shuffle a couple of months ago. I was looking for another driver for those days that my regular one can't work. I asked if he had a license. Sure! let me see it. Well,,,,, for my Moto, not for your car. I need to go to La Romana for that and have $200....... Great lets play golf. Two months later still no license and he will Never drive anything but the golf cart for me. Slippery when dry or wet.

I guess I just know a few more people than your caddy.................

 

[windeguy]

First off I am talking about a DRIVERS LICENSE, not Moto. And I am also talking about getting one in the DR. The DR is not just about Sosoua/Cabarete to me....................

So where exactly can still pay people off to get a driver's license IN THE DR and not have to take and pass any of the examinations?

 

[SKY]

So where exactly can still pay people off to get a driver's license IN THE DR and not have to take and pass any of the examinations?

Last time I checked this was a public board. Comprendi?

 

[windeguy]

Last time I checked this was a public board. Comprendi?

And I thought you had a good answer. I guess not.

 

[Big]

So where exactly can still pay people off to get a driver's license IN THE DR and not have to take and pass any of the examinations?

well Sir Windy. Certain attorneys specialize in special services. Immigration, licensure etc. Some of them refer to it as VIP service. I think its worth every penny. They have established contacts and navigate through the frustrating bureaucracy. Many choose to and don't mind doing all the leg work themselves .