Driving in the Bahamas vs. Bahrain: Key Safety Tips
When venturing into the Bahamas or Bahrain, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Bahrain, varying speed limits, and unique signaling protocols at roundabouts. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge for a safer travel experience.
Lanes
| Bahamas | 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 Right | Not allowed. | 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 | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, but limited. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily on designated routes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and white lines. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
bahrain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahamas:
List length: 5
bahrain:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
bahrain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
bahrain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
bahrain:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
bahrain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
bahrain:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
bahrain:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
Signals
| Bahamas | 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 | 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
bahamas:
Not used
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahamas:
Signal when exiting
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahamas:
Fines may apply for misuse
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahamas:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahamas:
Not to be used to signal other messages
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
Documentation
| Bahamas | 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 | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | 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
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | 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
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 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 | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | 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
bahamas:
0.08%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
bahrain:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
bahrain:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahamas:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
Test Refusal
bahamas:
Can result in license suspension
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
bahamas:
919
bahrain:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
bahrain:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Bahrain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, 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 | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | 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; 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
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay