President Luis Abinader and First Lady Raquel Arbaje are scheduled to receive the Dominican Republic’s newly redesigned driver’s license on 26 February 2026, marking another significant step in the government’s ongoing overhaul of national identification documents.
The transition to the new licensing format follows the recent rollout of the electronic passport and the updated national identity card (cédula). These initiatives are part of a broader modernization strategy aimed at enhancing document security through advanced technology.
The implementation of the new license also aligns with the National Pact for Road Safety, an executive initiative declared of “high national interest.” Under this plan, the government intends to introduce a points-based licensing system later this year to improve traffic discipline and reduce road fatalities across the country.
President Luis Abinader already received the new national identity card (cédula). He and First Lady Raquel Arbaje were among the first to receive the biometric document on Monday, 26 January 2026. The ID cards will be issued by birthdates to the general public, starting 12 April 2026. That is, those whose birthday falls in April are required to renew the document. All identity cards in the Dominican Republic are expired.
Previously, on 14 January 2026, the President and First Lady Raquel Arbaje had also received the new electronic passports.
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N Digital
Intrant
Intrant
19 February 2026