By Carolyn Bello
Special for El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO – The toll system in the Dominican Republic is a fundamental pillar for the financing, maintenance, and expansion of the national road infrastructure. Administered by the public trust RD Vial, its objective is to guarantee the sustainability of strategic highways that connect the country's main productive and tourist regions.
History
The first toll booths in the Dominican Republic were installed in 1972 during the government of Joaquín Balaguer, under Law No. 278 enacted in March of that year. At that time, light vehicles paid an initial fee of 25 Dominican cents.
Currently, since the last price modification in 2025 by RD Vial, the amount went from 60 to 100 Dominican pesos for light vehicles, varying according to the type of vehicle, weight and load.
How many toll booths are there in the Dominican Republic?
Currently, the Dominican Republic has 16 active toll plazas, distributed along the main highways and road corridors throughout the country.
These form part of the main road network, under the administration of the RD Vial trust, attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). Their revenue represents a key source of income for the State, earmarked for the maintenance, expansion, and modernization of roads, including bridges, tunnels, and highways.
Location and rate
Toll plazas are located on high-traffic corridors, especially at entrances and exits to major cities, tourist areas, and main highways. They are concentrated in strategic corridors, for example: tourism in the east (Punta Cana, Samaná), commerce in the north (Santiago), and agricultural production in the south (Baní, Azua). Among the most important are:
The metropolitan and southern region, the Las Americas toll, located on the Las Americas Highway, km 22 (Santo Domingo towards La Romana), Sánchez toll, Km 12, Sánchez Highway (San Cristóbal to Baní) November 6 toll Km 5, November 6 Highway (Santo Domingo to San Cristóbal).
In the north (Cibao), there is the Duarte Highway toll, Km 32 (formerly Km 25), connecting Santo Domingo with Santiago; and the Santiago Ring Road, an urban decongestion route.
Meanwhile, in the east, the Coral 1 Toll Plaza, at Km 18, Coral Highway (from La Romana to Punta Cana), Coral 2, complementary section of the Coral Highway and La Romana Ring Road, detour around it.
In the northeast are the Marbella Toll, Km 10, on the Juan Pablo II highway (from Santo Domingo to Samaná), the Guarugao, Naranjal, Catey I and II tolls, distributed on the Northeast Highway and the Atlantic Tourist Boulevard; and the Atlantic Tourist Boulevard (El Catey), entrance to Samaná / Las Terrenas.
Similarly, the Juan Bosch I and II ring roads, which form the Santo Domingo peripheral ring, are also included. These stations allow for the control of traffic flow and ensure the financing of key corridors for the country's economic and tourism development.
Tolls are structured according to vehicle type (axle categories). Following the toll leveling implemented in 2025 by the Road Regulations, two main schemes are established:
- Standard rates (most tolls)
- Category 1: Light vehicles (cars, jeeps, vans) RD$100
- Category 2: Medium-sized vehicles (minibuses, pickups with trailers) RD$200
- Category 3: Small trucks, medium load RD$300
- Category 4: Heavy trucks (up to 6 axles) RD$400
- Category 5: Heavy transport (more than 6 axles, heavy load). RD$600
2. Special rates (specific tolls)
- Northeast Highway (Naranjal, Guaraguao, Marbella): from RD$200 and up
- El Catey Toll (Samaná): light vehicles up to RD$400, while heavy vehicles up to RD$1,600
It is worth noting that in the Dominican Republic, the predominant toll system is a fixed-rate system, meaning drivers pay a fee each time they pass through a station, regardless of the distance traveled. This model is due to technological, financial, and structural reasons related to the national road system.
In addition, the "Fast Pass" system has been implemented. This electronic toll payment mechanism allows drivers to pass through toll plazas without stopping, using a device (tag) installed in the vehicle that automatically deducts the corresponding amount. Its objective is to expedite traffic, reduce congestion, and facilitate toll collection on the road network.
The RD Vial trust maintains that tolls are essential to finance the construction and maintenance of roads, improve road safety, guarantee the quality of infrastructure, and reduce direct public spending on road works.
It also highlights that the revenue generated exceeds billions of pesos annually, demonstrating its impact on the national economy.
Meanwhile, INTRANT has supported the modernization policies of the toll system, especially regarding the implementation of technology (such as Paso Rápido), improved mobility, reduced travel times, and coordination with public transport in the face of tariff adjustments.
On the other hand, the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transport (DIGESETT) focuses its role on traffic supervision in toll areas, accident prevention on road corridors and operational support during high-traffic seasons (Holy Week, Christmas, etc.)
The toll system in the Dominican Republic, comprised of 16 strategically located stations, is an essential mechanism for the country's road development.
Sources consulted:
- RD Vial
- INTRANT
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