Driving Differences: Greece vs. Panama Uncovered
Exploring the road rules of Greece and Panama reveals intriguing contrasts in traffic regulations, speed limits, and safety requirements. While both nations prioritize safe travel, their approaches differ significantly, from speed limits in urban areas to the use of emergency contact numbers. Understanding these nuances can enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Greece | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | 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 | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
panama:
Common
Signals
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | 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 yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | 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 | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Greece | 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; police may set up roadblocks | Common, especially during weekends |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
greece:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay