Bahrain vs South Korea: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and South Korea, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that impact their travel experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Discover the key contrasts that shape driving practices in these two fascinating nations.
Lanes
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| 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 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
south korea:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
south korea:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in South Korea |
| 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 | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
south korea:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
south korea:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
south korea:
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 korea:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
south korea:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes |
| 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
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay