Driving in Cambodia vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Cambodia and Panama, understanding the variations in traffic regulations and driving practices is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols, highlighting the need for adaptability. Familiarizing yourself with these aspects can enhance your driving experience and bolster safety while abroad.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 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 | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cambodia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | 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 | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cambodia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
cambodia:
119
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; penalties applied | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay