Driving in Bahrain vs El Salvador: Key Differences Explained
As you prepare to navigate the roads of Bahrain or El Salvador, understanding the distinct driving regulations and customs is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison highlights vital contrasts, such as speed limits, lane markings, and the use of emergency equipment, ensuring that you’re well-informed and ready for the unique challenges each country presents.
Lanes
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
el salvador:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
el salvador:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
el salvador:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
el salvador:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not common in El Salvador |
| 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
el salvador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
el salvador:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory annual inspection |
| 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
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
el salvador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
el salvador:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay