Driving in Bahrain vs. Belgium: Key Safety Differences
Bahrain and Belgium present distinct regulations and customs when it comes to vehicular operation. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency contact numbers, navigating these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Understanding these key distinctions empowers travelers to drive safely and confidently in both countries.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
belgium:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
belgium:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
belgium:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
belgium:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
belgium:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
belgium:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belgium:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
Signals
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Yes; indicates impending green light |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
belgium:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
belgium:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
belgium:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
belgium:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless specific signage permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; national driving license sufficient |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Common; conducted by police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies by severity of offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belgium:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belgium:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
belgium:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 101 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
belgium:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
belgium:
101
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fine of around 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines; points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | No; fines usually mailed to the driver |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay