Driving Differences: Maldives vs Panama for Travelers
When exploring the unique road regulations of the Maldives and Panama, you'll discover significant contrasts that impact motorist behavior and safety. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience in each nation. Buckle up as we delve into these intriguing differences!
Lanes
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and legal. | 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be designated with road signs or markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Minimal | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
maldives:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
maldives:
No
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Limited
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
maldives:
Minimal
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 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 | Not applicable | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
maldives:
30 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
maldives:
25 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
maldives:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
maldives:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Signals
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Maldives | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Country-specific shapes and colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Allowed
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
panama:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated | Varies by location; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Limited, mainly at main intersections | Yes, marked with arrows |
Right Turn On Red
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
panama:
Yes, marked with arrows
Documentation
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic checks required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
maldives:
Periodic checks required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
maldives:
Common practice
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Maldives | 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 | Less common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
maldives:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
maldives:
Less common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Appropriate lanes as per signage | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Right
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
panama:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police for traffic issues | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
maldives:
119
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Maldives | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified time | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay