Driving in Ireland vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Ireland and Panama reveals notable distinctions, such as driving on the left in Ireland versus the right in Panama, and differing speed regulations. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate both countries confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ireland:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
ireland:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
panama:
Common
Signals
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Panama |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
panama:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
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
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | 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 | Random breath testing is common. | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
ireland:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations