Bahrain vs Lebanon: Essential Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Lebanon, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journeys. From lane markings to speed limits, each country presents its own unique guidelines. Notably, Bahrain employs stricter rules concerning overtaking and alcohol limits, while Lebanon offers more flexible turning options. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| 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.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
lebanon:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
lebanon:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Lebanon |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Avoid unnecessary use in urban 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
lebanon:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
lebanon:
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
lebanon:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| 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
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | 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
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial for violations |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
lebanon:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days