Driving in Panama vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the unique driving customs of Panama and Sweden is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Notable distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signal protocols. While Panama permits overtaking on multi-lane roads, Sweden emphasizes strict adherence to lane discipline. Equip yourself with this knowledge for a more secure travel experience.
Lanes
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
panama:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-90 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
panama:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
panama:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
panama:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
panama:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
panama:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
panama:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
panama:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
panama:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
panama:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
panama:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
panama:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
panama:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| 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. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
panama:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
panama:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
panama:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
panama:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
panama:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
panama:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
panama:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
panama:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
panama:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
panama:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
panama:
0.08%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
panama:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
panama:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
panama:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
panama:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
panama:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
panama:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
panama:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
panama:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
panama:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
panama:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
panama:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.