Driving in Bahrain vs. Dominican Republic: Key Differences
The driving landscapes of Bahrain and the Dominican Republic present unique contrasts that are vital for travelers to understand. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic regulations and penalties, each country showcases distinct road etiquette and safety measures. Familiarizing yourself with these key differences ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Often not marked. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
dominican republic:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
dominican republic:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
dominican republic:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
dominican republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
dominican republic:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No; speed checks are done by police radar |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Possible for traffic infractions |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
dominican republic:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
dominican republic:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
dominican republic:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
dominican republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
dominican republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
dominican republic:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
dominican republic:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
Signals
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Dominican Republic |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used in many situations |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
dominican republic:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
dominican republic:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
dominican republic:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
dominican 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
dominican republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
dominican republic:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
dominican republic:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
dominican republic:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
dominican republic:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Results in arrest and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
dominican republic:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
dominican republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
dominican republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 911 or designated local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required and recommended as a safety measure |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
dominican republic:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Dominican republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines for non-compliance with signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible for common violations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
dominican republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days