Driving in Bahrain vs. Morocco: Key Safety Differences
Discover the contrasting road regulations between Bahrain and Morocco, essential for ensuring your travel safety. Key distinctions emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and signaling practices, with Bahrain enforcing a stricter stance on overtaking and alcohol limits. Understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Departure depends on specific roads. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
morocco:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
morocco:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
morocco:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
morocco:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
morocco:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
morocco:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
morocco:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
morocco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
morocco:
Departure depends on specific roads.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
morocco:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
morocco:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
morocco:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
morocco:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
morocco:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
morocco:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Orange |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Morocco |
| 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 and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bahrain:
Amber
morocco:
Orange
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
morocco:
Not used in Morocco
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
morocco:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
morocco:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
morocco:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
morocco:
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
morocco:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
morocco:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
morocco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
morocco:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
morocco:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
morocco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
morocco:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
morocco:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more common 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
morocco:
Horn usage is more common compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
morocco:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General 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, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
morocco:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
morocco:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
morocco:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
morocco:
Substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
morocco:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 19 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 19 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
morocco:
19
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
morocco:
19
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
morocco:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
morocco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Morocco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory, fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible but fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
morocco:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
morocco:
Mandatory, fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
morocco:
Fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
morocco:
Varies; can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
morocco:
Possible but fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
morocco:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay