Driving in Colombia vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into Colombia or Panama, understanding the nuances of road rules and regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds, with Panama generally allowing higher speeds and a more lenient blood alcohol limit. Equip yourself with this critical knowledge for safer travels!
Lanes
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
panama:
Common
Signals
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Turns
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common, especially during weekends |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations