Bahrain vs Slovakia: Driving Differences You Must Know
When considering road travel, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is crucial for safety. This comparison between Bahrain and Slovakia reveals notable distinctions in lane markings, speed limits, and traffic regulations. From the presence of designated bus lanes to the enforcement of penalties, these insights will ensure a secure journey across borders.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
slovakia:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
slovakia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Slovakia |
| 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 | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
slovakia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
slovakia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
slovakia:
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
slovakia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
slovakia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
slovakia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay