Complaints over vehicle registration fee increase and transport leader makes proposal

Santo Domingo — Baseball players often use the expression “a stalked stick” when a player hits an unexpected home run.

But the phrase took on a different meaning when drivers and chauffeurs in Greater Santo Domingo used it to express their discontent with the increase announced on October 29 by the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) to the Vehicle Circulation Tax (ICV), known as the sticker.

Gathered at the intersection of José Reyes Street and Mexico Avenue, drivers on the 25 de Febrero route said they felt uncomfortable and dissatisfied with the situation.

“The drivers, right now, are going through Niagara Falls on bicycles; they aren’t even bringing home enough to eat,” said Ángel Antonio Ferreiras, route controller, with disgust.

The driver, who said he had been in the job for over three decades, added that they feel abandoned because they do their jobs without pay.

“The Government has increased the price of gas, but a tire costs RD$3,000.00, oil costs 400, and before it cost 150. All these increases are against the driver,” he said angrily.

Meanwhile, the president of the National Central of Unified Transporters (CNTU), Williams Pérez Figuereo, asked the Government to exclude vehicles over 20 years old from the sticker increase.

He said its owners, mostly transport workers, cannot afford new tax burdens.

Citizens who own private vehicles also expressed their displeasure with the increase in the vehicle registration fee.

“It’s too high. That increase is way too high. It’s a total mess, and the salaries are exactly the same. My vehicle generates expenses for fuel, oil changes, and now the registration sticker,” complained César Morillo, a pedestrian running errands on Avenida México in the National District.

The DGII ordered an increase of RD$500.00 to RD$1,000.00 for the sticker.

Resolution number DDG-AR1-2026-00009 establishes that vehicles manufactured up to and including 2021 will pay RD$2,000, representing an increase of RD$500.00. Vehicles manufactured from 2022 onwards will pay RD$4,000.00, an increase of RD$1,000.00.

Fare increase?

Ferreiras also warned that the scenario could lead them to increase fares.

“If they want to mitigate all that they are doing, they should put Intrant in charge of conducting a census on all the routes and give gas bonuses to all the drivers, so that they feel happy and don’t have to raise fares,” he said.

Juan Carlos, president of the route, assured that they will raise fares only if the National Central Movement of Transport Drivers (Mochotran) authorizes it; otherwise, they will not.

“If Mochotran authorizes us to raise fares, we will. Given the current situation, a fare increase is warranted. Until the association authorizes it, we can’t do anything,” he stated.

Two sides of the same coin

Job Batista Ramírez, a father residing in Santo Domingo Este, explained that it is “unfair” that a person with a vehicle from the 90s has to pay the same registration fee as someone with a 2021 vehicle.

“Not everyone has the same economic power to own a vehicle in good condition, regardless of its year, but it is unfair that a person with a 1990 vehicle has to pay the same as someone with a 2021 vehicle,” he stated.

On the other hand, Mario Díaz, general secretary of the National Federation of Christian Social Transport Workers (Fenattransc), said he does not believe it is “a hateful measure” for the population.

“An increase of one thousand pesos is insignificant compared to the costs for transporters and private drivers. We understand that the measure is appropriate because the Government needs extra revenue due to the economic crisis,” he explained.

What happens if there are payment delays?

The payment deadline is January 31, 2027, and if transporters do not pay the tax within that period, they will face penalties.

Some penalties are RD$2,000.00, applicable to vehicles whose payment is not made within the period established in this article.

Others are RD$2,100.00, applicable to vehicles that did not pay the vehicle circulation tax corresponding to the renewal of the sticker for the 2025-2026 period.

The last would be RD$3,100.00, applicable to vehicles that did not pay the vehicle circulation tax for the renewal of the sticker for the 2024-2025 period or previous periods.

“Any union leader who talks about raising fares is out of touch,” said Pérez Figuereo, questioning those who propose increasing fares every time the sector faces difficulties.

He also argued that the Dominican population already faces enough economic pressures, and therefore called on transportation representatives to act responsibly and seek solutions that do not further harm citizens.

He calls for organizing informal transporters 

The president of the CNTU also referred to drivers who offer transport services without formally belonging to unions or organizations in the sector.

Although he clarified that they do not support informal transportation or disorganized operations, he said these workers should have opportunities to integrate into established structures.

In that regard, he rejected violence against informal drivers and suggested inviting them to organize through unions and transport companies.

Pérez Figuereo assured that the CNTU keeps its doors open to receive those who need to work and wish to join the sector in an organized manner.

Finally, he reiterated that Dominican transportation needs alternatives, dialogue, and organization to face economic difficulties without placing new burdens on drivers and the population.