Driving Differences: Pakistan vs Panama Explained
When traversing the roads of Pakistan and Panama, drivers encounter notable distinctions that are vital for safe navigation. For instance, Pakistan drives on the left side, while Panama adheres to the right. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage differ significantly, impacting overall road etiquette and safety standards. Understanding these nuances is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Prohibited | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allowed on open roads. | 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 | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in some urban areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols on road. | 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
pakistan:
Left
panama:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
pakistan:
Prohibited
panama:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
panama:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
pakistan:
Limited
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
pakistan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
pakistan:
40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
pakistan:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
panama:
Common
Signals
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Panama |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Urdu; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard warning signs used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
pakistan:
Not used
panama:
Not used in Panama
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Pakistan | 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 | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually not required | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
pakistan:
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
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
pakistan:
Usually not required
panama:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | 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: Limited
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
panama:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Pakistan | 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; checkpoints used | Common, especially during weekends |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and legal action | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
pakistan:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Enforcement: Random Checks
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Test Refusal
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 15 for assistance | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
pakistan:
Not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Pakistan | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Strict penalties, including imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine if not worn where mandatory | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and possible license points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
pakistan:
Fines apply
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay