Driving Differences: Estonia vs Panama for Safe Travels
Welcome to our comprehensive driving comparison between Estonia and Panama! Discover how these two unique countries differ in road regulations, speed limits, and traffic signage. Key distinctions include Estonia's strict variable speed limits and low alcohol tolerance versus Panama's flexible speed ranges and higher legal blood alcohol content. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Estonia | 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | 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 | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
estonia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
panama:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
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
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
estonia:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay