Driving Differences: Bahrain vs. Panama Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Bahrain and Panama, travelers will encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance levels, all of which play a vital role in ensuring road safety. Understanding these nuances is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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, in some urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers. |
| 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.
panama:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
panama:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
panama:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
panama:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
panama:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
panama:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
panama:
Yes, in some urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
panama:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
panama:
Bicycle symbols and often separated by barriers.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
panama:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
panama:
25-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
panama:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
panama:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
panama:
70-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
panama:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
panama:
Common
Signals
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Panama |
| 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, especially in urban areas |
| 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 | Spanish; 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
panama:
Not used in Panama
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
panama:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
panama:
Unnecessary use discouraged, especially in urban areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
panama:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
panama:
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
panama:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
panama:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
panama:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
panama:
Generally not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
panama:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory every two years for new cars |
| 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
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
panama:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
panama:
Mandatory every two years for new cars
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use, especially in urban areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
panama:
Frequent use, especially in urban areas
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| 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, especially during weekends |
| 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 license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
panama:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
panama:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
panama:
0.00% (zero tolerance)
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
panama:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
panama:
Common, especially during weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
panama:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
panama:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 104 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
panama:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
panama:
104
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
panama:
Contact insurance provider or services like Autorama
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
panama:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
panama:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Panama | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; $50 to $150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $25 to $75 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | $50 to $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations |
| 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
panama:
Varies; $50 to $150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
panama:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
panama:
$25 to $75
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
panama:
Varies; fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
panama:
$50 to $150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
panama:
Rare; fines usually paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
panama:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay