Driving Differences: Cuba vs. Panama Revealed
When exploring the roads of Cuba and Panama, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and the enforcement of traffic laws. While Panama features designated bus lanes and stricter penalties, Cuba emphasizes local customs that every traveler should know. Drive wisely and enjoy your travels!
Lanes
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 | Rare | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
panama:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
panama:
Common
Signals
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cuba:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
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
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | 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
cuba:
106
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay