Driving in Algeria vs. Bahrain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Algeria and Bahrain, it's essential to recognize their distinct traffic regulations and norms. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol consumption policies. Understanding these variations enhances your travel experience and promotes safe driving habits in each country.
Lanes
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, but limited. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Primarily on designated routes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and white lines. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
algeria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
algeria:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
bahrain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
bahrain:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Bahrain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
algeria:
Signal when exiting
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
algeria:
Fines may apply for misuse
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
algeria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
algeria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Moderate horn use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common, especially during nighttime |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal actions |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
algeria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
algeria:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Heavy fines, possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Possible; fines can also be paid online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay