Driving Differences: Mexico vs. Panama Explained
When navigating the roads of Mexico and Panama, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include the use of bus lanes, speed limits, and penalties for infractions. Whether you're exploring urban landscapes or rural routes, this comparison highlights essential guidelines to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mexico:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
panama:
Common
Signals
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | 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: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay