Driving in Brunei vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Brunei and Panama. From lane usage to speed limits and traffic signals, these countries present unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | 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 | 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 | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | 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 | Malay; English used for important signs | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
brunei:
991
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay