Dominican Republic cracks down on illegal motorcycle‑taxi stops in Santo Domingo

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Interior and Police, led by Minister Faride Raful, announced coordinated operations to shut down illegal motoconcho (motorcycle‑taxi) stops. The first phase targets the Distrito Nacional and Greater Santo Domingo, where a high concentration of accidents and violent incidents has been recorded.

Authorities identified dozens of unauthorized stops and, together with the National Police, the Institute of Transit and Land Transport (Intrant), municipal governments and motoconcho federations, will enforce licensing, safety equipment and traffic‑rule compliance. In a recent weekend sweep, officials inspected about 19,000 motorcycles, seizing more than 6,000 units and earmarking roughly 31.5% of inspected vehicles for removal from circulation. The crackdown follows a series of assaults by motorcyclists, including an attack on a school‑transport driver.

The ministry plans further meetings with motoconcho associations and municipal officials to deepen the vetting of drivers and ensure compliance with judicial orders and traffic regulations, aiming to restore public safety on the streets of Santo Domingo.