Driving in Bahrain vs. Brazil: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the diverse landscapes of Bahrain and Brazil, it's essential to understand the unique driving conventions and safety regulations that set these countries apart. From lane markings and speed limits to the use of indicators, each nation presents distinct rules that impact your travel experience. Navigating these contrasts will ensure a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
brazil:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
brazil:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
brazil:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
brazil:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
brazil:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
brazil:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
brazil:
60-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
brazil:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
brazil:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Brazil |
| 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 | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
brazil:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
brazil:
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
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
brazil:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
Documentation
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Required every year for passenger vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield or license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brazil:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| 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 used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Results in immediate license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
brazil:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
brazil:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 190 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 191 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended, especially at night |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
brazil:
190
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
brazil:
191
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | High fines with potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines for all unrestrained passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; generally 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay