Bahrain vs Egypt: Essential Driving Differences Explained
Discover the unique road regulations and driving cultures of Bahrain and Egypt! While both countries prioritize road safety, you'll find striking contrasts in speed limits, lane usage, and traffic etiquette. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey across these vibrant regions.
Lanes
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
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 | Limited |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Typically used by buses and minibuses. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Not consistently marked. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Often unmarked. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
egypt:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
egypt:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
egypt:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
egypt:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
egypt:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
egypt:
Often unmarked.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
egypt:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
Speeds Limits
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
egypt:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
egypt:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
egypt:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
egypt:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
egypt:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
egypt:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
Signals
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Egypt |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage |
Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines can occur for excessive misuse |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To signal other drivers or warn of presence |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not officially regulated |
Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some situations due to high traffic density |
Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangles with a red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
egypt:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
egypt:
Not officially regulated
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
Turns
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise |
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
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Egyptian driver's license required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory annual inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Provided after passing inspection |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
bahrain:
Valid driver's license required
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
egypt:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
egypt:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Common in high traffic areas |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, though not always observed |
Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and allow passage |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bahrain:
Discouraged, fines may apply
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
egypt:
Commonly used
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
Alcohol
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
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 | Conducted frequently |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
egypt:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
egypt:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
egypt:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
egypt:
Conducted frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
egypt:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 122 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 122 |
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
egypt:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
egypt:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
egypt:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Bahrain | Egypt | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines can be significant |
Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply for non-compliance |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Significant fines and points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes; fines are often paid immediately |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a few weeks |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks