Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Bahrain: Key Differences
Discover the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Antigua and Barbuda and Bahrain. While Antigua favors left-side travel and more lenient speed limits, Bahrain enforces strict right-side driving with zero tolerance for alcohol. Understanding these key distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, but limited. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Primarily on designated routes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and white lines. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
bahrain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
bahrain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
antigua and barbuda:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
bahrain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
bahrain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
bahrain:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
bahrain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
bahrain:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
bahrain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Bahrain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | 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 | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
antigua and barbuda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate horn use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common, especially during nighttime |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal actions |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Heavy fines, possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible; fines can also be paid online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay