Driving in Brazil vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Brazil and Panama reveals intriguing contrasts in driving practices. From the rules governing overtaking to speed limit variations, each country presents unique challenges for motorists. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and compliant driving experience while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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 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 |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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
brazil:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay