Driving Differences: Croatia vs. Panama Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Croatia versus Panama, drivers encounter distinct regulations and cultural practices that impact road safety. From varying speed limits to the use of indicators at roundabouts, understanding these key contrasts is essential for a secure driving experience abroad. Stay informed to ensure a smooth journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
croatia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | 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 | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Panama |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | 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 | Annual inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Croatia | 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 | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
croatia:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay