Driving in Bahrain vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and Trinidad and Tobago, understanding the contrasting regulations and practices is crucial for a secure journey. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and traffic signals, each country presents unique rules. This comparison highlights the essentials for safe travel, ensuring you're well-prepared for your adventure.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the right 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
Driving Side
bahrain:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bahrain:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
trinidad and tobago:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| 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; 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
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
trinidad and tobago:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
trinidad and tobago:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
trinidad and tobago:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on 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
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bahrain:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bahrain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| 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 |
| 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%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
trinidad and tobago:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days