Driving in the Dominican Republic vs. Panama: Key Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between the Dominican Republic and Panama regarding road regulations and safety measures. From speed limits and lane usage to the enforcement of alcohol limits, this comprehensive comparison reveals essential distinctions that every traveler should know to navigate these vibrant countries with confidence and caution.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
panama:
Common
Signals
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
panama:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Turns
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, annual inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
dominican republic:
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
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
panama:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
panama:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay