Driving Differences: Bahrain vs. Venezuela Uncovered
When exploring the roadways of Bahrain and Venezuela, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that impact their journeys. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and overtaking rules, which are essential for ensuring safe travel. Understanding these variations is vital for a secure driving experience while abroad.
Lanes
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, but limited. | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily on designated routes. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and white lines. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahrain:
Indicates separation, no crossing unless during emergencies.
venezuela:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahrain:
Typically used to indicate a turning lane or lane merging.
venezuela:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahrain:
Generally not allowed unless in multi-lane roads.
venezuela:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahrain:
List length: 4
venezuela:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
venezuela:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahrain:
Yes, but limited.
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahrain:
Primarily on designated routes.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahrain:
Bicycle symbols and white lines.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Speeds Limits
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 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 | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahrain:
50 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahrain:
30-40 km/h
venezuela:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahrain:
100-120 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahrain:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahrain:
80-100 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahrain:
Yes, both on-the-spot and mailed fines
venezuela:
Yes
Signals
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bahrain | Not used |
| 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with a red border | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahrain:
Not used in Bahrain
venezuela:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahrain:
Signal when entering and exiting
venezuela:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahrain:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
venezuela:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bahrain:
Fines for misuse
venezuela:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahrain:
To warn other drivers of your presence
venezuela:
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
venezuela:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bahrain:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahrain:
Triangular with a red border
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahrain:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahrain:
Permitted unless no U-turn sign is present
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit often required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections mandatory | Annual inspection 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahrain:
International Driving Permit often required
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahrain:
International Driving Permit required
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahrain:
Annual vehicle inspections mandatory
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahrain:
Displayed on windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
venezuela:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate horn use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahrain:
Moderate horn use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| 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 | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal actions | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahrain:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bahrain:
Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol
venezuela:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahrain:
Common, especially during nighttime
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
bahrain:
Substantial; both fines and imprisonment possible
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bahrain:
Can result in license suspension and legal actions
venezuela:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 171 |
| 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
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahrain:
999
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahrain:
Contact your insurance provider
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
venezuela:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahrain:
Recommended, but not mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahrain | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, possible license points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can also be paid online | Yes, sometimes possible |
| 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
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahrain:
High fines, possible imprisonment
venezuela:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahrain:
Fines for non-compliance
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahrain:
Fines applicable for using mobile phones while driving
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahrain:
Heavy fines, possible license points
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bahrain:
Possible; fines can also be paid online
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible
Payment: Deadline
bahrain:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay
venezuela:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay