Driving in Bahrain vs. China: A Safety Comparison
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and China, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. From lane usage and speeding limits to alcohol tolerance, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Dive into our comparison to learn how to drive safely in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Pedestrian crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bahrain:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in China |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| 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 | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
china:
Not used in China
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
china:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
china:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
china:
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
china:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Chinese driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bahrain:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
| 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
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
china:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
bahrain:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay