Driving in Panama vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Panama and the United Kingdom. From lane usage and overtaking practices to speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. This comparison highlights everything you need to know for safe travel in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
panama:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
panama:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
panama:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
panama:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
panama:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
panama:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
panama:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25-30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
panama:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
panama:
25-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
panama:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
panama:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
panama:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
panama:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
panama:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
panama:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
panama:
Common
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Panama | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
panama:
Not used in Panama
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
panama:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
panama:
Generally not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
panama:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
panama:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every two years for new cars | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
panama:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
panama:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use, especially in urban areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
panama:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% (zero tolerance) | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during weekends | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
panama:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
panama:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
panama:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
panama:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
panama:
104
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
panama:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
panama:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Panama | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $75 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; fines and points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $150, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
panama:
$25 to $75
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay