Driving in Chile vs Panama: Key Differences You Should Know
When exploring the roads of Chile and Panama, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and road etiquette. With varying lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, understanding these contrasts is crucial for safe travel. This guide delves into essential driving norms to ensure a smooth journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Chile | 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 | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
panama:
Common
Signals
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Chile | 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; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
chile:
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
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Chile | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay