Driving Differences: Bahrain vs. Spain for Safe Travels
When it comes to navigating the roads abroad, understanding the contrasts between driving regulations is crucial. This comparison between Bahrain and Spain reveals notable distinctions—while Bahrain enforces stricter lane rules and zero alcohol tolerance, Spain offers more flexibility in speed limits and road etiquette. Stay informed to ensure a safer journey wherever you travel!
Lanes
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| 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.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
spain:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Spain |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
spain:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
spain:
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
spain:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
spain:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay