Driving in Panama vs. Slovenia: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Panama and Slovenia presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. While Panama allows a broader speed range on highways, Slovenia enforces stricter alcohol limits for drivers. Additionally, road etiquette diverges significantly, highlighting the importance of familiarizing oneself with these vital distinctions to ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| 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 |
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
slovenia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
slovenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
slovenia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
slovenia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
slovenia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Slovenia |
| 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 | Slovenian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
slovenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
slovenia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Emergency Services
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | 1987 for AMZS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
slovenia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay