Honduras vs Panama: Key Driving Differences Explained
When traveling through Honduras and Panama, understanding their distinct road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, with Panama generally enforcing stricter vehicle regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these unique traffic norms can greatly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for public transportation vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or through signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | In areas with dedicated bike paths. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are typically static. | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
honduras:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
honduras:
Reserved primarily for public transportation vehicles.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
honduras:
Labeled 'BUS' or through signage.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
honduras:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
honduras:
In areas with dedicated bike paths.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
honduras:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
honduras:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
honduras:
Speed limits are typically static.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 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 | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are typically static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Infrequent | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Sometimes issued if stopped by police | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
honduras:
30-40 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
honduras:
25 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
honduras:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
honduras:
60-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
honduras:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
honduras:
80-110 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
honduras:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
honduras:
Speed limits are typically static.
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
honduras:
Infrequent
panama:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
honduras:
Sometimes issued if stopped by police
panama:
Common
Signals
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Honduras | 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-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
honduras:
Not used in Honduras
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
honduras:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
honduras:
Triangular-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
honduras:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
honduras:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Honduras | 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 annually | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
honduras:
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
honduras:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
honduras:
Required annually
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
honduras:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Varies; more frequent in urban areas | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
honduras:
Varies; more frequent in urban areas
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted; checkpoints common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
honduras:
0.07%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
honduras:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
honduras:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
honduras:
Conducted; checkpoints common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
honduras:
Severe penalties apply
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
honduras:
Can result in fines and license suspension
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 199 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact via general emergency numbers | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
honduras:
911 or 199
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
honduras:
Contact via general emergency numbers
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
honduras:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
honduras:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Honduras | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties apply including possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use while driving | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible, depending on the violation | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
honduras:
Varies; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
honduras:
Severe penalties apply including possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
honduras:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
honduras:
Fines for use while driving
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
honduras:
Substantial fines and points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
honduras:
Sometimes possible, depending on the violation
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations