Driving Safety: Bahrain vs Hong Kong
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison highlights the notable distinctions in vehicular practices between Bahrain and Hong Kong, from lane usage to speed limits. Grasp these essential contrasts to navigate safely and confidently in these diverse driving environments.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 ONLY' 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 painted on road surfaces. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
hong kong:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
hong kong:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
hong kong:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
hong kong:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
hong kong:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
hong kong:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
hong kong:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Used when lights are about to turn 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 | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
hong kong:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
hong kong:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
hong kong:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
hong kong:
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
hong kong:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
hong kong:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
hong kong:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hong kong:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
hong kong:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
hong kong:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
hong kong:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hong kong:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
hong kong:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay