Driving in Bahrain vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Bahrain and Vanuatu, ensuring a safer experience behind the wheel abroad. From speed limits to lane markings, discover how these nations approach vehicle operation and traffic management differently, and enhance your understanding of driving etiquette and safety practices unique to each country.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
vanuatu:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahrain:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahrain:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahrain:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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 | 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
vanuatu:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
vanuatu:
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
vanuatu:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, but not mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bahrain:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahrain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| 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 | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
vanuatu:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| 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
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay