Driving in Libya vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Libya and Panama, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that could impact their journey. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency contacts, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience. Dive into this detailed comparison to navigate safely and confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
libya:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 70 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: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
libya:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Libya | 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 | Not used in Libya | 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 | Arabic | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
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
libya:
Not used in Libya
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
libya:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
libya:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
libya:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay