Anyone planning to drive in the Dominican Republic should note a price change on the horizon. The country's tax authority, the DGII, has raised the Vehicle Circulation Tax — the annual registration sticker known locally as the marbete — for the 2026-2027 cycle.
Under the new resolution, vehicles built up to and including 2021 will pay RD$2,000, while 2022 models and newer will pay RD$4,000. That's up RD$500 and RD$1,000 respectively from the previous rates of RD$1,500 and RD$3,000. The DGII says the fixed fees hadn't been touched since 2016, a stretch during which prices in the country climbed 58.1%.
The renewal window runs from October 29, 2026 to January 31, 2027, and it's a big operation: 2,136,468 vehicles are eligible this year. Owners can pay at 55 authorised financial institutions with 845 branches across the country, at DGII collection offices in Villa Vásquez (Montecristi) and Sánchez (Samaná), or online via the DGII website and DGII Móvil app — though the digital channels close earlier, on January 17, 2027. A legible, up-to-date vehicle registration certificate is required to complete the process.
Miss the deadline and it gets pricey. A RD$2,000 surcharge applies for the current period, and outstanding fees from earlier years carry their own penalties: RD$2,100 for 2025-2026 and RD$3,100 for 2024-2025 and before, each including a RD$100 administrative charge. All told, the DGII expects to collect around RD$4.7 billion this cycle, up from the RD$3.525 billion projected previously.
Why does this matter to travellers? Most visitors won't pay this tax directly — it falls on vehicle owners — but if you're renting a car, relocating, buying a used vehicle, or staying long-term in the Dominican Republic, the higher sticker cost may filter into rental rates, insurance quotes and second-hand car prices. Newer vehicles, which dominate rental fleets, take the biggest hit at RD$4,000. Expats who keep a car on the island should also diarise the January 31, 2027 deadline to avoid stacking surcharges.
The DGII frames the increase as an objective, inflation-linked adjustment rather than a revenue grab, balancing collection efficiency against the state's fiscal sustainability. Either way, budget a little extra if driving is part of your Dominican plans.
