Driving in Bahrain vs Estonia: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Bahrain and Estonia as we delve into their unique road regulations and safety practices. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, this comparison reveals crucial contrasts that influence how motorists navigate each country. Stay informed and ensure a safer journey abroad!
Lanes
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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.
estonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
estonia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
estonia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
estonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
estonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
estonia:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Estonia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bahrain:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
estonia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
estonia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
estonia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
estonia:
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
estonia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated 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
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried |
| 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
estonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
estonia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| 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 | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
estonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
estonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties