Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Panama: Key Differences
Embarking on a journey through Liechtenstein and Panama reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices. From lane usage to speed limits and traffic signals, each nation presents unique norms. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad, allowing travelers to navigate confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
liechtenstein:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | 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 | 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 | 120 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
panama:
Common
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
liechtenstein:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Required annually | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
liechtenstein:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations