Driving in Bahrain vs. France: Key Differences You Must Know
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and France, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include varying lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol laws. While Bahrain enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, France allows a slight margin. Explore these contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in bahrain is the Right Side of the road
76
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in bahrain is 76
0.531 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for bahrain is 0.531 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | |
| 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.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
france:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
france:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in France | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; 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 | French; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
france:
Not used in France
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
france:
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
france:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and France, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include varying lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol laws. While Bahrain enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving, France allows a slight margin. Explore these contrasts to enhance your driving experience abroad.
Alcohol
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used regularly | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
france:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
france:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
france:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 17 or through local police | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
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| Bahrain | France | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €135 | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €135 | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €135 | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay