In a major step toward improving road safety, the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transport (INTRANT) has issued new technical regulations requiring that all motorcycle helmets imported and sold in the Dominican Republic meet certified safety standards.

The regulations were developed with technical support of the FIA Foundation and shaped through an extensive national consultation process with importers, sellers, motorcyclist associations, users and institutional actors linked to the sector. The new provision, based on Article 157 of Law 63-17 and Decree 256-20, obtained international approval, following its validation by the World Trade Organization (WTO), and seeks to guarantee the protection of life on the roads through certified safety standards.

The regulation stipulates that only helmets that comply with international standards and are certified by accredited laboratories under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard will be approved, including UN/ECE and US DOT standards. The regulations also include the mandatory and proper helmet use by riders and pillion riders, and specify the penalties for non-compliance by owners as well as importers which are set to come into effect in May 2026.

The announcement and signing of the regulations took place during the Regional Public Policy Dialogue on Transport 2025, organised by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Transport Forum (ITF-OECD). The event brought together ministers, government authorities, and transport experts from across the region. Representing the FIA Foundation at the event was Deputy Director Avi Silverman alongside Latin America Regional Advisor Oscar Edmundo Diaz. 

Joining the event and providing input from the FIA’s perspective was Frank Fotia, representing FIA Region III. Alvaro Oliver Venere, President of the Automóvil Club Dominicano (ACD), also participated in the event and gave guidance on road safety issues facing the Dominican Republic. 

Highlighting the lifesaving impact of the measure, INTRANT’s Executive Director, Milton Morrison, said: "Each approved helmet represents a protected life. With this measure, we reinforce the safety of motorcyclists and their passengers, who must use certified helmets that guarantee maximum protection against an impact."

Aggie Krasnolucka, FIA Foundation Programmes Director, said: "The FIA Foundation is delighted that the Dominican Republic’s commitment to helmet safety is taking shape. We hope that the commitment and leadership of the INTRANT will be an inspiration to other countries in the region. We look forward to further collaboration in the implementation of the standard moving forward.”

With national and international endorsement of the new provision, the Dominican Republic sets a regional benchmark in technical regulation for road safety, ensuring that all helmets entering the market meet globally recognised standards.