Renewing Driver's License in Punta Cana/Bávaro

Alltimegreat

Member
Nov 16, 2012
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I'm a naturalized Dominican citizen with a standard driver's license that expired a few years ago. I obtained it in Santo Domingo.

I am planning a vacation to Punta Cana and would like to use this opportunity renew my (expired) driver's license there, with the help of a lawyer.

Does anyone have experience with this? I'm hoping to gather some useful information here in advance in order to prevent unanticipated problems from arising.

Is there actually a driver's license office directly in Punta Cana or Bávaro (...Intrant)? If so, what's the exact location or address?

Will I be able to renew my license in Punta Cana or Bávaro if my registered address on the cédula is in Santo Domingo? Will the new license be issued directly or would I need to come back a second time to pick it up?

What about vision, blood, and written exams?

Lastly, what documents would I need to present (other than the obvious ones like my cédula, passport, and expired license)? I remember being required to provide a notarized copy of my American license the first time I applied for the Dominican license about 10 years ago.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
 

SKY

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Apr 11, 2004
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You don't 'need to pay a lawyer. I will post a link below where to go. It is 40 minutes from Bavaro in Higuey. You can drive with google maps or take a bus from the terminal in Fruisa. Or a taxi if you wish. I posted a thread on this a few months back and with a current Cedula and expired license you should be able to get the new one. Maybe they will charge you more than the 2.900 fee though.

I renewed there and was out in 25-30 minutes. You can pay with a card. You will get finger printed, take a health test {all answers are NO except for the last one I believe}. And a vision and hearing test.

If you take the bus tell the driver you are going to Intrant and a propina might get you dropped off as he goes right past it...........They open at 8 and don't listen to the people claiming you need a reservation. You don't, get there early..........


'

 
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Alltimegreat

Member
Nov 16, 2012
640
6
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You don't 'need to pay a lawyer. I will post a link below where to go. It is 40 minutes from Bavaro in Higuey. You can drive with google maps or take a bus from the terminal in Fruisa. Or a taxi if you wish. I posted a thread on this a few months back and with a current Cedula and expired license you should be able to get the new one. Maybe they will charge you more than the 2.900 fee though.

I renewed there and was out in 25-30 minutes. You can pay with a card. You will get finger printed, take a health test {all answers are NO except for the last one I believe}. And a vision and hearing test.

If you take the bus tell the driver you are going to Intrant and a propina might get you dropped off as he goes right past it...........They open at 8 and don't listen to the people claiming you need a reservation. You don't, get there early..........


'

Thank you for explaining this. So the closest driver's license office is in Higüey and not in Punta Cana or Bávaro. What would a taxi ride approximately cost from PC to Higüey?
 

SKY

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Apr 11, 2004
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Thank you for explaining this. So the closest driver's license office is in Higüey and not in Punta Cana or Bávaro. What would a taxi ride approximately cost from PC to Higüey?
There is no Intrant in PC or Bavaro, this is the closest. I am guessing a taxi about $50-60 US. But the bus is small money, AC and quick. Then you can take a taxi for a few pesos. And the bus's leave every 20 minutes or so........
 

SKY

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Apr 11, 2004
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One more thing if you are taking a taxi from PC ask about going up and waiting to take you back and how much he wants. That might be less and more convenient as the driver most likely has to go back anyway..........
 
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marcosalm

Active member
Jul 24, 2018
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Santiago
Thank you for explaining this. So the closest driver's license office is in Higüey and not in Punta Cana or Bávaro. What would a taxi ride approximately cost from PC to Higüey?
Can you explain the eye test.... I have Amblyopia in one eye and 20 / 20 in the other....I'm worried they will ask me to use my bad eye and fail me. Will I have a choice or can I use both? I've been driving nearly sixty years now without issues in the U.S. living here now I want to be legit.
 

Alltimegreat

Member
Nov 16, 2012
640
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Can you explain the eye test.... I have Amblyopia in one eye and 20 / 20 in the other....I'm worried they will ask me to use my bad eye and fail me. Will I have a choice or can I use both? I've been driving nearly sixty years now without issues in the U.S. living here now I want to be legit.
I can't remember what the eye test was like. Maybe someone else here can answer that.
 

JD Jones

Moderator:North Coast,Santo Domingo,SW Coast,Covid
Jan 7, 2016
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The last time I went, it was cover one eye at a time and read the chart, repeat for the other eye. My last time I watch the people in front to me and memorized the line they were directed to repeat.

In all of my years here, I've only shown my license to an agent 4 times

If I were to fail next time, I'll take the "need glasses" hit. The worst that can happen is a fine.