Bahrain vs Kuwait: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads in Bahrain and Kuwait, understanding the unique regulations can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and overtaking protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variations not only promotes safer journeys but also ensures compliance with local traffic rules, making your driving experience abroad much smoother.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
kuwait:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used |
| 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
kuwait:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
kuwait:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
kuwait:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
kuwait:
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
kuwait:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
kuwait:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahrain:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days