Been stopped a few times in my times there, as far back as day 3 years the peso to dollar was day 46 to almost 50 pesos so the 2 dollars was ok, I usually if stopped in car rental would offer them 100 pesos and tell them to have a presidents on me. There are sometimes you can get a real crook. One time about 3 years ago a motorcycle police stopped me as I was coming off into Santo Domingo and onto the Malcoln, first thing he wanted was my license and passport which raised the red flag as he didn't ask for the car papers, note bad idea to give those out as once they have them they have the advantage to manipulate. I have him a photo copy of my passport and license and asked him what was wrong? He asked where was my original IDs and I told him at my hotel , he went back by his bike for about 2 minutes and came back and basically said I made an illegal turn which I didn't and told me I could go to jail for it. There is a police commander I met in Boca Chica and buy him 1 drink every time I see him when he was there visiting friends at this bar restaurant there. He said he wanted 2000 pesos or I might have to go to jail. I asked him for his name and badge number and pulled my friends police business card and told him as soon as I get to the station I'll have already called him about him and what he was doing when at best he could or should have just written me a ticket. He went back to his bike with my papers and just took off! My point is a little can pay off in the long run if you go there alot, especially if you're renting cars. Find a national police captain, get to be social friends, but him a drink. Then at some point ask him for his card, it just might be worth it in a pinch.
