Driving in Latvia vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Latvia and Panama, a fascinating array of regulations and practices comes to light. From speed limits to overtaking norms, these two countries reveal striking contrasts in road etiquette and safety measures. Discover how these differences can impact your travel experience and ensure a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | 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 | 90 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: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
latvia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
panama:
Common
Signals
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | 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 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | 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 vehicle inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
panama:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially on weekends | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
latvia:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay