Driving in Bolivia vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of Bolivia and Panama, notable distinctions emerge that can significantly impact road safety. Key takeaways include the presence of bus lanes in Panama, varying speed limits, and different regulations regarding alcohol consumption. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and informed driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 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 |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
panama:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | 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 | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay