Driving Differences: Indonesia vs. Panama Explained
When venturing on the roads of Indonesia and Panama, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include Indonesia's left-side driving and prohibition of overtaking on the left, while Panama allows overtaking on multi-lane roads. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances enhances your overall road experience.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
panama:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
indonesia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Signals
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | 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 | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 checks required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay