Driving in North Macedonia vs. Panama: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads, North Macedonia and Panama present distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact driver safety. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and alcohol consumption, understanding these variances is crucial for a secure journey abroad. Explore the key contrasts to drive confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 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 marked paths. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
north macedonia:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
north macedonia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| North macedonia | 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 | 70 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 | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
north macedonia:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
north macedonia:
30 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
80 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
70 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
north macedonia:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
north macedonia:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
north macedonia:
80 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
north macedonia:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
north macedonia:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Prohibited in urban areas at night | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Macedonian; standard symbols | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
panama:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
panama:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless specified by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| North macedonia | 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
north macedonia:
Common practice
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted at checkpoints | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
north macedonia:
0.05%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
north macedonia:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local service providers | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
north macedonia:
112
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
north macedonia:
192
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
north macedonia:
Mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| North macedonia | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 EUR | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 40 EUR | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 250 EUR, points on license | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
north macedonia:
50 EUR
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
north macedonia:
40 EUR
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay