Driving in Bahrain vs. Hungary: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the diverse driving landscapes of Bahrain and Hungary, it becomes essential to understand their unique regulations and road practices. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signal protocols, which contribute significantly to road safety in each nation. Discover how these distinctions can impact your experience behind the wheel abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used for separating traffic in opposite directions. |
| 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. | Not allowed except in special cases. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'. |
| 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 | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Rare |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
hungary:
Used for separating traffic in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
hungary:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
hungary:
Not allowed except in special cases.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
hungary:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
hungary:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSZ'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
hungary:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
hungary:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
hungary:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
hungary:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
hungary:
Rare
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
hungary:
Occasionally used, usually on electronic signs.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
hungary:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
hungary:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
hungary:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
hungary:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
hungary:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
hungary:
Displayed on electronic signs in controlled areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
hungary:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Prepares traffic for a green signal. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use is prohibited; 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 | Hungarian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
hungary:
Prepares traffic for a green signal.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
hungary:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
hungary:
Unnecessary use is prohibited; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
hungary:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
hungary:
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
hungary:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
hungary:
Hungarian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Restricted; only allowed at designated areas. |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
hungary:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
hungary:
Restricted; only allowed at designated areas.
Documentation
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
hungary:
Accepted for short visits; ID card or passport needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
hungary:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
hungary:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in the vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
hungary:
Displayed on the license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Limited use |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks |
| 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
hungary:
Limited use
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
hungary:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
hungary:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| 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; alcohol checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Severe; license suspension is a possibility |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
hungary:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
hungary:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
hungary:
Common; alcohol checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
hungary:
Severe; license suspension is a possibility
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
hungary:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 107 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 188 or specific insurance hotline |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
hungary:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
hungary:
107
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
hungary:
188 or specific insurance hotline
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
hungary:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Hungary | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Severe fines and potential demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; often within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
hungary:
Varies; fines start from 30,000 HUF and increase with severity
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
hungary:
Severe; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
hungary:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
hungary:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
hungary:
Severe fines and potential demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
hungary:
Possible; fines usually paid on the spot or online
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
hungary:
Varies; often within 15-30 days