Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Panama: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Panama, understanding their unique regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, with Bosnia allowing 130 km/h on highways compared to Panama's 100-120 km/h, and differing alcohol tolerance levels. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge to drive safely and confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes 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 |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | 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 | Mandatory annual inspection | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bosnia and herzegovina:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay