El Caribe describes ?the organized mafia? operating within the
governmental department responsible for issuing drivers licenses. The hustlers, known as members of the so-called Agacotrate union,
facilitate obtaining a permit to drive on Dominican roads for prices that vary. The newspaper says that through the services of these
individuals, licenses can be obtained in 24 hours, versus the legally
required 45-day wait between the written and the practical tests, for a price that ranges from RD$2,000 to RD$3,500. For this fee, the
customer will not have to take either the eye or blood test otherwise necessary.
The newspaper also explains that taxpayers are being requested to pay a bribe ranging from RD$200 to RD$700 or risk being given an automatic
failing grade on the driven test.
The El Caribe editorial says that if authorities of the Direcci?n General de Transito Terrestre does not immediately eliminate the
practice brought to the open by the newspaper report, they would become accomplices of such felony.
Bribes to expedite bureaucracy had been practically eliminated during
the previous government.