Driving in Bahrain vs South Africa: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and South Africa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their journey. From contrasting lane usage and speed limits to varying alcohol tolerance levels, understanding these unique aspects is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad. Explore the essential differences to drive safely and confidently in these diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
south africa:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
south africa:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
south africa:
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
south africa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
south africa:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| 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
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay