President Luis Abinader issued Decree 330-26 on Friday, 15 May 2026, modifying Article 21 of the Driver\u2019s Licensing Regulations in the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The announcement comes at a time individuals have been taking the government to court for violating the rights of seniors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The measure restores to four years the effectiveness of a license granted to a person for driving a car over the age of 65. A recent change in the application of the law required seniors to submit to renewals every two years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The executive order updates license validity periods, aims to strengthen national road safety, and eliminates the controversial two-year renewal restriction previously imposed on drivers over the age of 65.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic shift is grounded in Law 63-17 on Mobility, Land Transport, Traffic, and Road Safety, which serves as the legal framework governing the nation\u2019s vehicular circulation and public transit protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the newly established guidelines, license expiration schedules are broken down by vehicle category and operator age:
\u2022 Categories 01, 02 and 05: Licenses are valid for four years until the driver reaches the age of 75. From age 75 onward, drivers must renew their licenses every two years.
\u2022 Categories 03 and 04: Licenses are valid for three years until the driver turns 75. Beyond that threshold, annual renewals (every year) become mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The five driving license categories
\u2022 Category 01 (Motorcycles): Authorizes the operation of two- or three-wheeled motorized vehicles, including mopeds, scooters (pasolas), and high-displacement motorcycles.
\u2022 Category 02 (Light vehicles): Covers private, light automobiles. This includes passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks or vans (typically weighing up to 3.5 metric tons).
\u2022 Category 03 (Heavy Vehicles – Level 1): Designed for heavy-duty freight or passenger transit. This permits the operation of medium-sized cargo trucks (two-axle rigid trucks), minibuses, and standard urban buses.
\u2022 Category 04 (Heavy Vehicles – Level 2): Covers high-capacity, specialized industrial transport. This includes articulated trucks (patanas), trailers, and large commercial buses configured to carry more than 40 passengers.
\u2022 Category 05 (Special Vehicles): Tailored strictly for industrial and agricultural machinery. This allows the operation of heavy construction and earth-moving equipment, such as tractors, graders, backhoes, and road rollers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aforementioned validity periods may be reduced if, at the time of issuance or renewal, it is verified that the holder suffers from an illness or medical deficiency that is susceptible to worsening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more in Spanish: 18 May 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" President Luis Abinader issued Decree 330-26 on Friday, 15 May 2026, modifying Article 21 of the Driver\u2019s Licensing Regulations in the Dominican Republic. The announcement comes at a time individuals have been taking the government to court for violating the rights of seniors. The measure restores to four years the effectiveness of a license granted … <\/p>\n
Presidency <\/a>
Decree 330-26 <\/a>
Presidency <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n