Driving in Bahrain vs. Nigeria: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential variations in road regulations between Bahrain and Nigeria to ensure a secure journey abroad. This comparison highlights significant contrasts in lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals—providing critical insights for travelers. Understanding these dissimilarities is vital for maintaining safety and navigating efficiently in each country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used as a divider on major roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Only where permitted and safe. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane where applicable. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
nigeria:
Used as a divider on major roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
nigeria:
Not commonly used; overtaking may be allowed on overtaking lanes.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
nigeria:
Only where permitted and safe.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
nigeria:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
nigeria:
Use rightmost lane where applicable.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
nigeria:
Reserved mainly for BRT buses in certain cities.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
nigeria:
May be labeled 'BRT' or demarcated with other markers; signs often indicate lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
nigeria:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
nigeria:
Bicycles and motorbikes often share roads with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
nigeria:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
nigeria:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 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 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare, mostly manual enforcement |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
nigeria:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
nigeria:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
nigeria:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
nigeria:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
nigeria:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
nigeria:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
nigeria:
Rare, mostly manual enforcement
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
nigeria:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other road users |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Often used to signal presence or warning |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Rare but can apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Used as a signal of road rage or aggression | Not for other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in certain areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols can vary |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahrain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
nigeria:
Proceed with caution, yield to other road users
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
nigeria:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
nigeria:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahrain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
nigeria:
Often used to signal presence or warning
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
nigeria:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
nigeria:
Rare but can apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
nigeria:
To indicate overtaking or to warn other drivers
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
nigeria:
Not for other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
nigeria:
More common in certain areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
nigeria:
English; symbols can vary
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
nigeria:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless indicated |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Rarely marked |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
nigeria:
Generally not allowed unless indicated
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
nigeria:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
bahrain:
Yes, marked with arrows
nigeria:
Rarely marked
Documentation
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | 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
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
nigeria:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bahrain:
Liability insurance mandatory
nigeria:
Third party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
nigeria:
Yes, annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
nigeria:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
nigeria:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and can lead to fines |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used, but officially for emergencies |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use, similar to some other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bahrain:
Discouraged, fines may apply
nigeria:
Discouraged
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
nigeria:
Sometimes observed, depending on traffic and location
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bahrain:
Discouraged and may be penalized
nigeria:
Discouraged and can lead to fines
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
nigeria:
Commonly used, but officially for emergencies
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
nigeria:
Frequent use, similar to some other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
nigeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks, but may not be strictly enforced
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
nigeria:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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 | Occasional roadblocks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Fines vary across states |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for repeated or severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Likely to result in arrest or fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
nigeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
nigeria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
nigeria:
Occasional roadblocks
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
nigeria:
Fines vary across states
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahrain:
Possible for severe offenses
nigeria:
Possible for repeated or severe offenses
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
nigeria:
Likely to result in arrest or fines
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal appropriately when entering if turning |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits |
Priority: Inside
bahrain:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
nigeria:
Maintain lane, avoid abrupt lane changes
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
nigeria:
Signal appropriately when entering if turning
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
nigeria:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
bahrain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
nigeria:
Use for subsequent exits
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies by region; check local contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
nigeria:
112 or 199
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
nigeria:
Varies by region; check local contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
nigeria:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
nigeria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
nigeria:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; fines and potential jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; usually with cash |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies by offense |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
nigeria:
Varies; can be heavy fine, often on-the-spot
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
nigeria:
Varies; fines and potential jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
nigeria:
Fine for not wearing; enforcement varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
nigeria:
Fines apply; hands-free concept encouraged
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
nigeria:
Fines imposed; traffic light cameras in some areas
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
nigeria:
Common; usually with cash
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
nigeria:
Varies by offense