Driving Differences: Kenya vs. Panama Explained
When exploring road regulations in Kenya and Panama, drivers will discover significant contrasts that influence their travel experiences. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and vehicle documentation, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Prepare for your adventure by familiarizing yourself with the distinct driving practices of each nation.
Lanes
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | 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
kenya:
Left
panama:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 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 | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 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
kenya:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kenya:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | 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 | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
kenya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Kenya | 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 | Annual inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
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
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kenya:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations