The invention relates to a drive belt for a traction mechanism drive, having a radially externally arranged top layer (4) composed of a fiber-containing elastomer or of an elastomer comprising a fiber mesh, having a radially centrally arranged tension member layer (6) composed of a wound tension strand or a plurality of circumferentially oriented tension strands, and a radially internally arranged substructure (8) composed of an elastomer, wherein at least one wedge-shaped rib is integrally formed in the substructure (8), a coating layer (10) composed of a circumferentially open fiber mesh being applied to the outer surfaces of said wedge-shaped rib. In order to prevent an abrupt change in the friction coefficient at the force-transmitting flanks of the ribs, provision is made for the circumferential ends (12, 14) of the coating layer (10) and a parting joint (16), which is filled by the elastomer of the substructure (8), between said circumferential ends (12, 14) of the coating layer (10) to be covered with a transverse strip (18) composed of a vulcanizable material, wherein said vulcanizable material has a reduced friction coefficient in relation to the elastomer of the substructure (8).