Driving in Oman vs. Panama: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Oman and Panama, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that greatly impact their travel experiences. From varying speed limits to unique lane usage, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover how these two nations diverge in their automotive regulations and cultural norms.
Lanes
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
oman:
No
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
oman:
N/A
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
oman:
N/A
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
oman:
Yes
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Markings
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
Speeds Limits
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-30 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
oman:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
oman:
120 km/h
panama:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
oman:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
oman:
100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
oman:
Yes
panama:
Common
Signals
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Oman | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
oman:
Not used in Oman
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
oman:
Not typically allowed
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
oman:
Regular inspection required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Road Etiquette
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use more frequent compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% (zero tolerance) |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
oman:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
oman:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
oman:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
oman:
Common
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
oman:
Substantial fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 9999 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
Contact: General Emergency
oman:
9999
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
oman:
9999
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Penalties And Fines
| Oman | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines can be substantial | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; ensure timely payment | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
oman:
Fines may apply
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
oman:
Fines may apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
oman:
Fines can be substantial
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
oman:
Common
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay