Bahrain vs Indonesia: Key Driving Differences Explained
Discover the essential distinctions between driving in Bahrain and Indonesia to enhance your travel safety. From lane usage and speed limits to road etiquette and signage, each country presents unique regulations and practices. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will prepare you for a safer and more enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Primarily in major cities, 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
indonesia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
indonesia:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Indonesia |
| 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 | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
indonesia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
indonesia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
indonesia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
indonesia:
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
indonesia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies by region; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
indonesia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days