Driving in Bahrain vs Ireland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Ireland, distinct regulations and practices shape the driving experience. From the contrasting sides of the road to varying speed limits, understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring safe journeys abroad. Discover how these two countries differ in traffic management, signage, and road etiquette to enhance your travel safety.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often 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 and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
ireland:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| 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 | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahrain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
ireland:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
ireland:
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
ireland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| 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
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
ireland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay