Driving in Bahrain vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of bus lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience and ensure compliance with local laws.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
saudi arabia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| 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 | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
saudi arabia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
saudi arabia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
saudi arabia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not 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
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
saudi arabia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bahrain:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay