Driving in Bahrain vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences Revealed
Driving in Bahrain and Uzbekistan presents unique challenges and regulations. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, where Bahrain enforces a strict zero tolerance, while Uzbekistan allows a slight blood alcohol content. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided 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. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
uzbekistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahrain:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| 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 |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
uzbekistan:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
uzbekistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bahrain:
Used as a signal of road rage or aggression
uzbekistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahrain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahrain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| 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; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
uzbekistan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| 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
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahrain:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bahrain:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines