Driving in Cyprus vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique road cultures of Cyprus and Panama as we delve into their driving regulations and norms. Key distinctions include driving sides—left in Cyprus versus right in Panama—as well as speed limits and overtaking rules. This comparison is essential for ensuring your safety and confidence while navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | 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. |
Driving Side
cyprus:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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 | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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 routinely | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 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
cyprus:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay