Driving Differences: Azerbaijan vs. Bahrain Explained
Azerbaijan and Bahrain exhibit distinct rules and regulations that shape their respective road experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to penalties for infractions, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. Discover how each nation’s approach to traffic management can influence your journey, making it both safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided 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 | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes, but limited. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Primarily on designated routes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and white lines. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
azerbaijan:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
bahrain:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
bahrain:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bahrain:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 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 practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
bahrain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
bahrain:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bahrain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
bahrain:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
bahrain:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | 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 | 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 | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
azerbaijan:
Signal when exiting
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
azerbaijan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
azerbaijan:
Fines may apply for misuse
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
azerbaijan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
azerbaijan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | 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
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate horn use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 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 | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common, especially during nighttime |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
azerbaijan:
0.03%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
azerbaijan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
azerbaijan:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | 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
azerbaijan:
112
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
azerbaijan:
Mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Heavy fines, possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | 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
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
azerbaijan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
azerbaijan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay