In the Dominican Republic, a common source of surprise for visitors involves the way motorcycle passengers must be seated. Locally, it's customary and sometimes informally enforced that if a motorcycle carries a female passenger, she should sit sideways rather than astride like the driver. This practice stems partly from traditional notions of modesty and safety from earlier decades, when road conditions and clothing were different. However, tourists unfamiliar with this custom may be stopped by traffic officers, who might gently remind them to adhere to this seating style. While not a formal law universally enforced, it persists as a local norm in many areas, especially outside major cities. Travelers have reported both amused and perplexed reactions when they were asked to reposition passengers on motorcycles. This unusual expectation highlights how transport customs in the Dominican Republic can blend practicality with cultural habits, and it serves as a reminder that small local rules may differ from what visitors expect. Whether or not this custom still holds rigidly, tourists should remain open-minded and observant when riding local transport.
Source / verification note
Based on traveler anecdotes and local customs reported in tourism forums and cultural discussions, no official legal text confirms this rule.