Driving in Bahrain vs. Italy: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Italy, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and efficiency. Key variations include lane markings, speed limits, and overtaking rules. This comparison highlights essential contrasts to enhance your understanding and ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
italy:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
italy:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 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 | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| 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 | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
italy:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
italy:
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
italy:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
italy:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
italy:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
italy:
Substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
italy:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days