Driving Differences: Panama vs. Portugal Explained
When navigating the roads of Panama and Portugal, distinct regulations and practices come into play. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Notably, while Panama allows overtaking on the right, Portugal strictly prohibits it. Familiarizing yourself with these crucial contrasts can significantly enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Emergency Services
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
portugal:
Possible