Driving in Bahrain vs. Chile: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the roads of Bahrain and Chile reveals intriguing contrasts in traffic regulations and safety measures. From lane markings and speed limits to the use of indicators and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure journey abroad. Whether navigating urban traffic in Bahrain or the open highways of Chile, being informed can significantly enhance your driving experience.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
chile:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
chile:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Chile |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
chile:
Not used in Chile
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
chile:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
chile:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
chile:
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
chile:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required annually |
| 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
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
chile:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
chile:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
chile:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay