Driving in Bahrain vs. Maldives: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique road regulations and traffic nuances between Bahrain and the Maldives. While Bahrain drives on the right side, the Maldives opts for the left. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in these diverse locales. Prepare for your adventure with our comprehensive comparison.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| 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. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
maldives:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| 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 | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
maldives:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
maldives:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
maldives:
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
maldives:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bahrain:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually 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
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fines can be substantial |
| 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
maldives:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
maldives:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Lane Usage: Right
bahrain:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| 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
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for 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 for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time