Driving Differences: Bahrain vs Belize Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Belize, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experiences. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption rules. Understanding these crucial disparities can greatly enhance traveler safety and promote responsible driving abroad. Prepare for your journey with our in-depth comparison!
Lanes
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
belize:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
belize:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
belize:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
belize:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
belize:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
belize:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
belize:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
belize:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 mph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
belize:
25 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
belize:
25 mph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Speed Units
bahrain:
km/h
belize:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
belize:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
Signals
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Belize |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
belize:
Not used in Belize
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
belize:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
belize:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
belize:
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
belize:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
belize:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belize:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belize:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 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 | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belize:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belize:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
belize:
Zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
belize:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
belize:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
belize:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
belize:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, fines are often collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
belize:
Varies; significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay