Driving Differences: Montenegro vs Panama Explained
When exploring the roads of Montenegro and Panama, understanding their distinct traffic regulations and driving customs is essential for safe travels. Key disparities include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance, which significantly impact road safety. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a smoother journey through these captivating countries.
Lanes
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
montenegro:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | 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 | 100 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: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
montenegro:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
montenegro:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
panama:
Common
Signals
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | 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 | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
montenegro:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | 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 | Yes, periodic inspections required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
montenegro:
0.03%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
montenegro:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay