Driving in Bahrain vs. India: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road rules of Bahrain and India, notable contrasts emerge that can significantly influence your travel experience. From driving sides and speed limits to road etiquette and penalties, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Discover how each country’s unique regulations shape their driving culture and enhance safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
india:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in India |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Unnecessary and excessive 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
india:
Not used in India
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
india:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
india:
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
india:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
bahrain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not 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
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| 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 in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
india:
0.03%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
india:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| 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: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay