Driving in Bahrain vs. Costa Rica: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Bahrain and Costa Rica reveals significant contrasts in traffic management. From unique lane markings to distinct speed limits, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Prepare to navigate the roads confidently as we unpack the key elements that shape vehicular safety in both nations.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
costa rica:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
costa rica:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Costa Rica |
| 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; can be subject to fines |
| 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 |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
costa rica:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof 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 | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
costa rica:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
costa rica:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
costa rica:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
costa rica:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay