Speed limitPanama
Traffic rules
Panama
1. Speed limit
A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.
A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Panama?
For an ordinary car, general maxima include 40 km/h on streets and in residential areas, 60 km/h on avenues, 100 km/h on highways and 120 km/h on motorways, unless another limit is signed. Certain multi-lane urban roads have lane-specific limits. Near schools and heavily attended sports facilities, a 30 km/h precautionary maximum applies during operating hours. On a two-lane avenue, the regulation specifies 80 km/h in the left lane and 50 km/h in the right lane, unless another limit is signed.
🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Article 181
Can lanes on a Panamanian multi-lane urban road have different maxima?
Yes. For the relevant multi-lane urban highway category, the regulation gives 80 km/h in the far-left lane, 60 km/h in the centre lane and 50 km/h in the right lane, unless signs establish another limit. This table must not be applied indiscriminately to every urban street.
🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Article 181
Start of a speed limit.
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.
When does Panama’s precautionary school-area maximum apply?
Near schools and heavily attended sports facilities, the precautionary maximum is 30 km/h during operating hours. A lower applicable sign still governs. Slow further if children, crossings or limited visibility make 30 km/h unsafe.
🔗 gacetaoficial.gob.pa • Panama Traffic Regulations, Decree 640/2006 — Article 181
