Driving in Bulgaria vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct driving cultures of Bulgaria and Panama, travelers can uncover vital contrasts that impact road safety. From varying speed limits and lane usage to unique traffic regulations, understanding these differences is essential for a secure driving experience abroad. Equip yourself with knowledge to navigate each country's roads confidently.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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 |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | 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 | 90 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 | 140 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | 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 | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations