Driving in Bahrain vs. Oman: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations between Bahrain and Oman, two neighboring countries with unique driving norms. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the use of emergency equipment. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating their diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
oman:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
oman:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
oman:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
oman:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
oman:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
oman:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Oman |
| 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 |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
oman:
Not used in Oman
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
oman:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
oman:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
oman:
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
oman:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not typically 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
oman:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
oman:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Regular inspection required |
| 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
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
oman:
Regular inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Use more frequent compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
oman:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
oman:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
oman:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 9999 |
| 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 |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
oman:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
oman:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment