Driving in Mozambique vs. Panama: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Mozambique and Panama, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Mozambique versus the right in Panama, diverse speed limits, and contrasting lane usages. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centers the road for no-passing zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
mozambique:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mozambique:
Centers the road for no-passing zones.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
mozambique:
Not allowed.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mozambique:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mozambique:
No
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
mozambique:
60 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
mozambique:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mozambique:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mozambique:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mozambique:
100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mozambique:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mozambique:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mozambique | 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 | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mozambique:
Not used in Mozambique
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mozambique:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
mozambique:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mozambique:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless signed otherwise. | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
mozambique:
Not allowed unless signed otherwise.
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mozambique:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annually | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mozambique:
International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mozambique:
Annually
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Mozambique | 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
mozambique:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mozambique:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in urban areas | Common, especially during weekends |
Limits: General Drivers
mozambique:
0.06%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mozambique:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mozambique:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
mozambique:
Common, especially in urban areas
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Emergency Services
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 121 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
mozambique:
119
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
mozambique:
121
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mozambique:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mozambique:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mozambique | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period, | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mozambique:
Varies; fines can be significant
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mozambique:
Fines apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
mozambique:
Fines apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mozambique:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mozambique:
Common; fines often paid on the spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
mozambique:
Varies; typically required immediately or within a short period,
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay