Driving in the Netherlands vs. Panama: Key Differences
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of the Netherlands and Panama, where road regulations and practices vary significantly. From lane markings to speed limits, this comparison reveals critical insights into vehicular navigation and road safety, ensuring a smoother experience for travelers. Understanding these contrasts is vital for anyone journeying between these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | 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 | 100-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
panama:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
panama:
Common
Signals
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | 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 | Dutch; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | 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 | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay