Bahrain vs. Iceland: Unique Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Iceland, drivers encounter unique regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these variances ensures a safer journey, allowing travelers to enjoy the stunning landscapes of both nations without compromising their well-being.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | N/A |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | N/A |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
iceland:
N/A
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
iceland:
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
iceland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
iceland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame