Driving in Bahrain vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Tips
When exploring the unique road regulations of Bahrain and New Zealand, it's essential to understand their distinct traffic customs and legal frameworks. Notable contrasts include driving on the right in Bahrain versus the left in New Zealand, as well as varying speed limits and penalties for infractions. Gaining this knowledge ensures a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
new zealand:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in New Zealand |
| 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 | English; 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
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
new zealand:
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
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or 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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
new zealand:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
new zealand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| 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
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay