Driving in Iceland vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of navigating the roads in Iceland and Panama. While both countries prioritize vehicular regulations, their approaches vary significantly. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption norms—vital factors for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Understanding these variances will enhance your driving experience in either destination.
Lanes
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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 | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
panama:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | 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 |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual 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 | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay