Prohibitory signsPanama

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

Prohibitory signs

A prohibitory sign is a traffic sign that tells drivers what is not allowed on that specific road or in that situation. These signs impose restrictions such as no entry, no overtaking, no parking, speed limits, or bans on certain types of vehicles. Their purpose is to clearly indicate actions that are forbidden to ensure safety, maintain traffic flow, and protect vulnerable road users.

Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited.

Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited.

How are prohibitory signs classified in Panama?

Regulatory signs include restrictions and prohibitions with which road users must comply.

🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Articles 147–184: actual controls, circulation, signs, parking and safe speed

🔗 infojuridica.procuraduria-admon.gob.pa • Procuraduría official amendment register — Decree 640/2006, currency and modifying instruments

What does a no-turn sign prohibit in Panama?

It prohibits the left, right or other turn shown at the junction or position controlled by the sign in Panama. Follow any supplementary panel or authorised direction and choose another legal route.

🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Articles 147–184: actual controls, circulation, signs, parking and safe speed

🔗 infojuridica.procuraduria-admon.gob.pa • Procuraduría official amendment register — Decree 640/2006, currency and modifying instruments

Can a no-turn restriction apply only to certain vehicles or hours in Panama?

Yes, where the local sign system provides a supplementary condition or exemption, such as a vehicle class, time or authorised access. Without a valid exception, comply with the prohibited movement shown.

🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Articles 147–184: actual controls, circulation, signs, parking and safe speed

🔗 infojuridica.procuraduria-admon.gob.pa • Procuraduría official amendment register — Decree 640/2006, currency and modifying instruments

1. No entry

This traffic sign means no entry. Drivers may not enter from the direction in which the sign is placed.

English • Traffic sign R-3-2A • No entry. Entry from this direction is prohibited.

Español • R-3-2A • No entre. Prohíbe entrar desde esta dirección en la vía señalizada.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

2. Access prohibited in both directions

This traffic sign indicates that drivers may not enter the road from either direction.

3. Pedestrians prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that pedestrians are prohibited. Pedestrians may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-14-B • No pedestrians. Pedestrian traffic is prohibited on the signed section.

Español • R-14-B • Circulación prohibida a peatones. Prohíbe la circulación de peatones en el tramo señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

4. Cyclists prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that cyclists are prohibited. Cyclists may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

5. Mopeds prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that mopeds are prohibited. Moped riders may not enter or continue beyond the sign. The affected moped categories depend on the applicable local rules. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

6. Cars prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that cars are prohibited. Cars may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-7-16 • No motor vehicles. Prohibits motor vehicles on the signed section. The motor-vehicle family is identified; the car pictogram differs from the vehicle shown in the ENA reference drawing.

Español • R-7-16 • Circulación prohibida a vehículos automotores. Prohíbe la circulación de vehículos automotores en el tramo señalizado. La prohibición se identifica por su familia de vehículos automotores; el pictograma de automóvil difiere del vehículo mostrado en el plano ENA.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Fry1989 • Public domain • Original revision 2012-12-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

7. Equestrians prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that equestrians are prohibited. Equestrians may not enter or continue beyond the sign. Other road users may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

8. Vehicles wider than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles wider than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall width, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

9. Vehicles higher than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles higher than indicated are prohibited. A vehicle or vehicle combination whose overall height, including its load, exceeds the displayed limit may not continue beyond the sign.

10. Vehicles heavier than indicated prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that vehicles heavier than indicated are prohibited. Vehicles or vehicle combinations exceeding the displayed mass limit may not continue beyond the sign. The legally relevant mass is determined by the applicable local rules.

English • Traffic sign R-12-3 • Maximum total mass. Vehicles exceeding the illustrated 20 tonnes total mass must not pass.

Español • R-12-3 • Peso máximo total permitido. Prohíbe el paso de vehículos cuyo peso total exceda 20 toneladas, valor mostrado en la ilustración.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

11. Turning left prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning left is prohibited. A left turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-3-4B • No left turn. Turning left at the signed point is prohibited.

Español • R-3-4B • Prohibido girar a la izquierda. Prohíbe realizar un giro a la izquierda en el punto señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

12. Turning right prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that turning right is prohibited. A right turn may not be made where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-3-3B • No right turn. Turning right at the signed point is prohibited.

Español • R-3-3B • Prohibido girar a la derecha. Prohíbe realizar un giro a la derecha en el punto señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

13. Turning around prohibited (U-turn)

This traffic sign indicates that turning around (making a U-turn) is prohibited. A U-turn may not be made where the prohibition applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-3-12A • No U-turns. Reversing the direction of travel by a U-turn is prohibited.

Español • R-3-12A • Prohibido girar en U. Prohíbe efectuar un giro en U para invertir el sentido de marcha.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

14. Driving straight ahead prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that driving straight ahead is prohibited. Traffic may not continue straight ahead where the sign applies. Other movements may still be permitted unless another restriction applies.

English • Traffic sign R-3-1B • Prohibited direction. Continuing straight ahead at the signed point is prohibited.

Español • R-3-1B • Dirección prohibida. Prohíbe continuar de frente en el punto señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

15. Overtaking prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that overtaking is prohibited. The vehicles covered by the prohibition and any categories that may still be overtaken depend on the applicable local rules.

English • Traffic sign R-13-1 • No overtaking. Overtaking other vehicles is prohibited on the signed section.

Español • R-13-1 • Prohibido adelantar. Prohíbe adelantar a otros vehículos en el tramo señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

16. Start of a speed limit

This traffic sign indicates the start of a speed limit. The displayed value is the maximum permitted speed from this point. The limit remains in force until it ends or is replaced according to the applicable traffic signs and local rules.

English • Traffic sign R-2-1 • Maximum speed. Sets the illustrated 60 km/h maximum.

Español • R-2-1 • Velocidad máxima. Establece una velocidad máxima de 60 km/h, valor mostrado en la ilustración.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Fry1989 • Public domain • Original revision 2012-12-25. Wikimedia original unmodified.

17. Entry prohibited (checkpoint)

This traffic sign indicates a checkpoint with restricted entry. Road users may not proceed beyond the checkpoint unless they are authorised or permitted to continue according to the applicable rules and instructions.

English • Traffic sign R-14-1 • Customs. Stop and follow control staff's instructions.

Español • R-14-1 • Aduana. Indica un control aduanero. Deténgase y siga las instrucciones del personal de control.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Republic of Panama • Public domain • Source revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

18. Parking prohibited

This traffic sign indicates that parking is prohibited. Vehicles may not be parked in the area covered by the sign unless an exception applies. Brief stopping to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods may still be permitted where local rules allow it.

English • Traffic sign R-8-1 • No parking. Parking at the signed place or section is prohibited.

Español • R-8-1 • Prohibido estacionarse. Prohíbe estacionar en el lugar o tramo señalizado.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ena.com.pa • ENA Norte: detalle de señalización vertical, enero 2026, hoja 44

SVG source: Republic of Panama • Public domain • Original revision 2020-09-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.