Bahrain vs Philippines: Essential Driving Differences
Driving conditions in Bahrain and the Philippines reveal intriguing contrasts that are essential for travelers. From lane markings to speed limits, the regulations differ significantly, influencing how road users navigate. Understanding these essential distinctions can enhance your journey and ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Shared with motorcycles or 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
philippines:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
bahrain:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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 | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
philippines:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
philippines:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
philippines:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
philippines:
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
philippines:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bahrain:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
philippines:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
philippines:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance