Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Panama: Key Differences
Discover the unique driving dynamics between Antigua and Barbuda and Panama, where crucial distinctions in road regulations and safety practices emerge. From varying speed limits to lane usage, understanding these factors is essential for a secure journey abroad. Stay informed and navigate confidently as you explore these captivating Caribbean nations.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
panama:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
panama:
70-90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
panama:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
antigua and barbuda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations