Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs Panama Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Bangladesh and Panama, two countries with distinct driving practices. From the left-hand driving in Bangladesh to the right-hand lanes in Panama, discover how speed limits, signage, and road etiquette can affect your journey. Stay informed to ensure a safe and seamless experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | 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 | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | 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
bangladesh:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
panama:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay