Driving in Bahrain vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in Bahrain and Norway, essential for ensuring road safety while traveling. Key disparities include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency services. Understanding these variations can enhance your confidence and awareness on international roads, making for a safer journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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' 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
norway:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 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 |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Norway |
| 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
norway:
Not used in Norway
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
norway:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
norway:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
norway:
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
norway:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | High fines and possible license revocation |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
norway:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
norway:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, typically required |
| 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay