Driving in Bahrain vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and the Netherlands, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key disparities include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of variable speed signs. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and compliant journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
netherlands:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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 | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
netherlands:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
netherlands:
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
netherlands:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
netherlands:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required