Driving Differences: Australia vs Bahrain Explained
When navigating the roads of Australia and Bahrain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and norms that can significantly impact their travel experience. Key disparities include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and differing rules regarding overtaking. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, but limited. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily on designated routes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and white lines. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
bahrain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
bahrain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
australia:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bahrain:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
bahrain:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bahrain:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
bahrain:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
bahrain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bahrain:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Bahrain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary 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 | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
australia:
Fines may apply for misuse
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
australia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
australia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit often required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | 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
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | 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
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common, especially during nighttime |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; 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
australia:
0.05%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
australia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Roundabouts
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 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
australia:
000
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Heavy fines, possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; fines can also be paid online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay