Driving in Bahrain vs. Singapore: Safety Insights
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Singapore, drivers encounter noteworthy variations in regulations and practices. From the contrasting sides of the road to unique speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the distinct driving cultures of these two nations to stay safe while abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right 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. | Not allowed. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
singapore:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 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: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Singapore |
| 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; 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
singapore:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
singapore:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
singapore:
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
singapore:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahrain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bahrain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
singapore:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
singapore:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 995 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
singapore:
995
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay