Driving in Bahrain vs. Jamaica: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the vibrant roads of Bahrain and Jamaica, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notable contrasts include driving on different sides, varying speed limits, and unique lane practices. This guide highlights essential rules to enhance your awareness and ensure a smooth driving experience in both countries.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in bahrain is the Right Side of the road
76
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in bahrain is 76
0.531 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for bahrain is 0.531 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left | |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No | |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 | |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. | |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Occasional with bicycle symbols | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
jamaica:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h | |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Jamaica | |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting | |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Rarely enforced | |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To signal intentions, often a warning | |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not widely restricted | |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahrain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
jamaica:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
bahrain:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited | |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
bahrain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
bahrain:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit | |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not consistently used | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings | |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated | |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice | |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged | |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger | |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe | |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahrain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bahrain:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bahrain:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bahrain:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
When venturing into the vibrant roads of Bahrain and Jamaica, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Notable contrasts include driving on different sides, varying speed limits, and unique lane practices. This guide highlights essential rules to enhance your awareness and ensure a smooth driving experience in both countries.
Alcohol
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during nighttime | Occasionally conducted | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies with severity and past offenses | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bahrain:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahrain:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit | |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit | |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit | |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
bahrain:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
bahrain:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bahrain:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 or 110 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 119 | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance | |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
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| Bahrain | Jamaica | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Subject to fines and points | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible for minor fines | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bahrain:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bahrain:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines