Driving in Bahrain vs. Brunei: Key Safety Differences
Discover the distinct road regulations and practices between Bahrain and Brunei to elevate your travel safety. Key differences include driving on the right in Bahrain versus the left in Brunei, varying speed limits, and unique rules for lane usage. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
brunei:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
brunei:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
brunei:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
brunei:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
brunei:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
brunei:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
brunei:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Brunei |
| 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 | Malay; English used for important signs |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
brunei:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
brunei:
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
brunei:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
brunei:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| 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
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used in some areas |
| 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: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
brunei:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 993 |
| 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
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
brunei:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | B$250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
brunei:
B$250
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
brunei:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay