Driving in Bahrain vs Mexico: Key Differences Explained
Discover the driving landscape of Bahrain and Mexico as we delve into their distinct traffic regulations and road etiquettes. While Bahrain enforces strict alcohol limits and lane usage, Mexico allows for a bit more flexibility on urban speed limits and overtaking. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
mexico:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 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 | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Mexico |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
mexico:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
mexico:
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
mexico:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
mexico:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
mexico:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
mexico:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| 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
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments