Driving in Austria vs. Bahrain: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the unique driving regulations of your destination is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison between Austria and Bahrain reveals notable distinctions in road markings, speed limits, and alcohol policies. From lane usage to emergency contacts, being aware of these variations will enhance your driving experience and promote road safety in both nations.
Lanes
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
austria:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
bahrain:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bahrain:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
bahrain:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
bahrain:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 | German; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
austria:
Fines may apply for misuse
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
austria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
austria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | 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 | Yes, proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate horn use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during nighttime |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal actions |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
austria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Emergency Services
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Heavy fines, possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines can also be paid online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay