Driving in Malaysia vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial. This comparison between Malaysia and Panama reveals significant distinctions in driving practices, from lane usage to speed limits. While Malaysia drives on the left, Panama adheres to right-side travel. Familiarize yourself with these variations to enhance your travel safety and ensure a smooth journey.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | 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
malaysia:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
panama:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | 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 | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Malaysia | 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
malaysia:
Not allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Malaysia | 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 yearly for roadworthiness | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
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
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | 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
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations