Driving in Bahrain vs. Taiwan: Key Safety Differences
When comparing the road regulations of Bahrain and Taiwan, several critical distinctions emerge. Notably, Bahrain enforces stricter overtaking rules, while Taiwan boasts more comprehensive lane systems, including high-occupancy lanes. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and informed driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| 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.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
taiwan:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
taiwan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Taiwan |
| 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 | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
taiwan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
taiwan:
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
taiwan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not 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
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
taiwan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahrain:
999
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| 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
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay