PanamaPanama

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Panama. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Panama

1. Panama

Panama forms the narrow land bridge between Costa Rica and Colombia, with the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Traffic drives on the right. Driving conditions range from dense traffic in Panama City to long intercity roads and winding routes through tropical and mountainous areas. Heavy seasonal rainfall is an important hazard: flooding, landslides and fallen trees can obstruct roads, particularly during periods of intense rain.

Panama has no nationwide vignette, but several high-speed corridors around Panama City are tolled; ENA's Corredor Norte and Corredor Sur use the Panapass electronic payment system. National regulations set speed limits according to road type, including 40 km/h in residential streets, 100 km/h on carreteras and 120 km/h on autopistas, unless signs establish another limit. Traffic signs follow a national system and written information is primarily in Spanish. Tourists may drive with a valid licence from their home country for up to 90 days.

Let's explore the traffic rules of Panama.
AI-generated by Rijbewijs-online.be • WCIT • CC BY-SA

Can you use a mobile phone while driving in Panama?

Talking on a phone while driving is an explicit traffic offence. Panama’s police reported enforcing it in August 2026. Avoid phone distraction while driving and stop in a safe permitted place before handling a call.

🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Official Gazette, Road Traffic Regulations

🔗 policia.gob.pa • Panama Police,17August2026 mobile-phone enforcement

Railway crossing

1 Panama 2 Railway crossing 3 Reversing 4 Bus 5 Police 6 Pothole 7 Path 8 Particulates 9 Air pollution 10 Rush hour 11 Road code 12 Street gutter 13 Cargo bike 14 Forestry vehicle 15 Construction vehicle 16 Semi-trailer truck 17 Trolleybus 18 Speed pedelec 19 Delivery vehicle 20 Idling 21 Tow truck 22 Four-wheel drive 23 Bicycle 24 Motorcycle equipment 25 Rail track 26 Caravan 27 Trailer 28 Tow hitch 29 Siren 30 Convoy 31 Emergency vehicle lighting 32 Agricultural machinery 33 Electric bicycle 34 Electric vehicle 35 Pedelec 36 Quadricycle 37 Microcar 38 All-terrain vehicle 39 Van 40 Recreational vehicle 41 Scooter 42 Trikke 43 Personal mobility device 44 Skateboard 45 Segway 46 Kick scooter 47 Roller skates 48 Mailman 49 Hitchhiker 50 Toddler 51 Child 52 Disability 53 Motorail 54 km/h 55 mph 56 Speedometer 57 Ride height 58 Dirt road 59 Driving 60 Start-stop system 61 Manual transmission 62 Automatic transmission 63 Throttle 64 Tachometer 65 Steering wheel 66 Power steering 67 Visual scanning 68 Mirror 69 Fuel 70 Fuel gauge 71 Petrol 72 Diesel 73 Diesel exhaust fluid 74 Car insurance 75 First aid kit 76 Fire extinguisher 77 High-visibility clothing 78 First aid 79 Concrete step barrier 80 Barriers 81 Vehicle lights 82 Street lights 83 Dipped beam 84 High beam 85 Fog lights 86 Front fog lights 87 Rear fog lights 88 Side lights 89 Turn signals 90 Hazard lights 91 Dashboard lights 92 Bicycle lighting 93 Bicycle bell 94 Headlight flashing 95 Seat belt 96 Child restraints 97 Head restraints 98 Airbag 99 ABS 100 Esp ...