Driving in Panama vs. Peru: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Panama and Peru, several notable distinctions emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From speed limits and signage to alcohol regulations and lane usage, understanding these variations is crucial for safe navigation. Prepare for your journey by exploring these essential driving contrasts between these two vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
peru:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
peru:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
peru:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Peru |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
panama:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Turns
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Typically displayed on vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Often used more compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; checkpoints used widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
peru:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
peru:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay