Bahrain vs Czech Republic: Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and the Czech Republic, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their experience behind the wheel. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, the contrasts are notable. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance when traveling in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Only 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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 colored pavement. |
| 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.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
czech republic:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
czech republic:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| 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. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahrain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
czech republic:
Not used.
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
czech republic:
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
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bahrain:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bahrain:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
bahrain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bahrain:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bahrain:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bahrain:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| 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 | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
bahrain:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
bahrain:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahrain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bahrain:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bahrain:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bahrain:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bahrain:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahrain:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bahrain:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bahrain:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bahrain:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bahrain:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bahrain:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.