Driving in Bahrain vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Switzerland, distinct variances in regulations and practices can significantly impact your travel experience. From lane markings to alcohol limits, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Discover how these two countries prioritize road safety and what you need to know before hitting the pavement.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
switzerland:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 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, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Prepare to go |
| 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 | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
switzerland:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
switzerland:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
switzerland:
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
switzerland:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| 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
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional 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; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
switzerland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
bahrain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
bahrain:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 140 |
| 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
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay