Driving in Panama vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Panama and Spain as we delve into their distinct regulations and practices. Key differences emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic laws, highlighting the importance of being well-informed for a secure journey abroad. Equip yourself with crucial knowledge to navigate these diverse roads effectively.
Lanes
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
panama:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
panama:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
panama:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.