Driving in Jamaica vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for safe journeys, especially when comparing Jamaica and Panama. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Jamaica versus the right in Panama, and varying speed limits and overtaking rules. This guide will help you navigate these contrasts effectively, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | N/A |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
panama:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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 | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
panama:
Common
Signals
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
panama:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
panama:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
panama:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
panama:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
panama:
Generally not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
panama:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
panama:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
panama:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
panama:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
panama:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
panama:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
panama:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
panama:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
panama:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
panama:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
panama:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for immediate or second exit | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
panama:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
panama:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
panama:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and 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 | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
panama:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
panama:
Possible if fines are not paid