Driving Differences: Algeria vs. Panama - Stay Safe Abroad
When exploring the roads of Algeria and Panama, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their experience. From lane usage to speed limits, Algeria prohibits overtaking on two-lane roads while Panama permits it in certain scenarios. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
panama:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay