Driving Differences: Bahrain vs Bolivia Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Bahrain and Bolivia. While both nations prioritize road safety, they exhibit contrasting regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, each country offers distinct rules that every traveler should grasp. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to navigate safely and confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
bolivia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
bolivia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
bolivia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
bolivia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
bolivia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No, not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
bolivia:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
bolivia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
Signals
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Bolivia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas |
| 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 | Spanish |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
bolivia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
bolivia:
Spanish
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the 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
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas |
| 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; checkpoints often used |
| 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%
bolivia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
bolivia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
bolivia:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
bolivia:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; may result in points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines may apply, varies by location |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
bolivia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly