Bahrain vs United Arab Emirates: Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, understanding the key distinctions in traffic regulations and road conduct is essential for a secure journey. From speed limits to lane usage, these neighboring nations exhibit notable variations that can impact your travel experience. Get ready to explore the essential driving nuances that ensure your safety abroad!
Lanes
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Marks the left edge on some 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 multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahrain:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in UAE |
| 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; especially in residential areas |
| 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: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
united arab emirates:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
united arab emirates:
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
united arab emirates:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; 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 | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| 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%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
united arab emirates:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
united arab emirates:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically