Driving in Bahrain vs. Greece: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Bahrain and Greece, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to penalties for violations, key distinctions emerge. Notably, Bahrain emphasizes strict alcohol limits, while Greece allows a slight tolerance. Prepare yourself for a smoother ride by knowing these crucial driving variances.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
greece:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
greece:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
greece:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
greece:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
greece:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
greece:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
greece:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
greece:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
greece:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Greece |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary |
| 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 | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
greece:
Not used in Greece
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
greece:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
greece:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
greece:
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
greece:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
greece:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
greece:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; police may set up roadblocks |
| 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 and potential penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
greece:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
greece:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
greece:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
greece:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 100 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 10400 for ELPA assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
greece:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
greece:
100
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
greece:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €350, points on license |
| 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 | €350, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 10 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
greece:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
greece:
€350, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
greece:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
greece:
€350, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay