Driving in Bahrain vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasting road regulations and driving customs between Bahrain and Tonga. While Bahrain adheres to right-side driving with strict speed limits and comprehensive traffic protocols, Tonga favors left-side navigation and a more relaxed approach to speed enforcement. Understanding these key distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
tonga:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| 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 and Tongan; 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
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
tonga:
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
tonga:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Required; proof may be required |
| 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
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 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 at specific times or checkpoints |
| 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
tonga:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahrain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred