Bahrain vs Pakistan: Unique Driving Rules Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Pakistan, it's crucial to understand their distinct driving regulations and safety protocols. Key differences include driving sides—right in Bahrain and left in Pakistan—along with unique lane usage, speed limits, and penalties. This guide will enhance your awareness, ensuring a secure and informed journey through these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| 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 Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
pakistan:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
pakistan:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
pakistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
pakistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
pakistan:
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
pakistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| 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
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bahrain:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in fines and legal action |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
pakistan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot