Driving in Bahrain vs. Guatemala: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bahrain and Guatemala, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency equipment. By grasping these variations, travelers can navigate both regions confidently and responsibly, enhancing their overall experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
guatemala:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| 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 | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Guatemala |
| 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 | 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
guatemala:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
guatemala:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
guatemala:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
guatemala:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 110 |
| 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
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities