Driving Differences: Argentina vs Panama Explained
When navigating the roads of Argentina and Panama, distinct regulations and practices come into play. This comparison highlights crucial disparities in speed limits, lane designations, and documentation requirements. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while traveling abroad. Discover how each country shapes its unique driving landscape.
Lanes
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Turns
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations