Driving Differences: Bahrain vs. Madagascar Explained
When exploring the roads of Bahrain and Madagascar, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Typically not used. |
| 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 recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
madagascar:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
bahrain:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
madagascar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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 in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
madagascar:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority