Driving in Panama vs South Korea: Key Differences Explained
When driving abroad, understanding the nuances between Panama and South Korea is vital for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits—tighter in South Korea—and unique lane regulations and penalties. Familiarizing yourself with these driving practices can significantly enhance your road safety and overall experience in these diverse cultures.
Lanes
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
panama:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in South Korea |
| 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 | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Test Refusal
panama:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
south korea:
Yes