Bahrain vs Cyprus: Essential Driving Differences Explained
Bahrain and Cyprus present unique road experiences for travelers. While Bahrain drives on the right, Cyprus adheres to the left. Speed limits vary, with urban areas in Cyprus generally set higher. Additionally, alcohol regulations are stricter in Bahrain, highlighting the importance of understanding these distinctions to ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Prohibited. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
cyprus:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
cyprus:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
cyprus:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Cyprus |
| 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 | Greek and English; 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
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
cyprus:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
cyprus:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
cyprus:
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
cyprus:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic inspection 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, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
cyprus:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cyprus:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional 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; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial and strict |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
cyprus:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
cyprus:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| 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
cyprus:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| 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
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
cyprus:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay