Driving in Bahrain vs. Germany: Key Safety Differences
When comparing driving regulations in Bahrain and Germany, notable distinctions emerge that impact road safety. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance, both nations adopt unique approaches. Understanding these driving norms is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating the roads of Bahrain or Germany.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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 lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
germany:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
germany:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| 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 | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
germany:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
germany:
Common
Signals
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| 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 | German; 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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
germany:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
germany:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
germany:
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
germany:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on rear license plate |
| 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
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
germany:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
germany:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
germany:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
germany:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay