Bahrain is a country off the Persian Gulf. Because of its rich history and culture, it has for a long time been one of traveller's preferred destination in the Middle East. Moving around in Bahrain can be done by hiring a car.
In order to hire a car in Bahrain, drivers must hold an international driving licence, which needs to be secured before arrival, however if you are traveling from the EU, you will be able to drive with your normal driving licence.
Driving is on the right hand side of the road. And since Bahrain is just a small island off the gulf, traffic jams are not that common. If there is indeed one, it would be relatively short, except during Ramadan, when traffic can become considerably more dense.
Main roads and highways can be up to 6 lanes wide, however in rural and remote areas, roads become far narrower and caution is always advised.
Drinking and driving is prohibited. Strict laws are implemented on the island to minimize road accidents due to drink driving. The penalty for drink driving is imprisonment and fines of up to £500. A seat belt should always be used by the driver and passenger in the front seat. Otherwise, a fine of about £50 may be imposed.
The national speed limit for Bahrain is up to 120 kmph. But for smaller cities and villages, it could go down to around 50 to 80 kmph. Road signs are scattered on both sides of the road to guide drivers. The signs are written in Arabic and in English. Speed cameras are also installed in various spots so make sure that you abide by the law at all times.
Fines are paid in the spot whenever traffic infringements happen. If, unfortunately, you got into one, you are strictly advised not to move your vehicle, unless it is a small accident with no injuries. Drivers neeed to phone the accident hotline and local police will attend the scene. An accident report must be filed in order to claim from the insurance company. Also, repair garages will not tend to your vehicle if you don't show them a police report.
Emergerncy numbers are:
Fire/Ambulance/Police: 999
Traffic/Accidents: 1768-8888 or 1768-5999
Summary:
Caution is advised on narrow roads
Drive on the right
Speed limit is up to 120km/h
For safety reasons, you should never drink and drive
All information on this page is provided as a guide for our customers. It is intended as an overview of different driving rules, customs and points of interest in each country. It is not a comprehensive guide. Although we try to keep information on this page as accurate and up to date as possible, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. If you find any errors or there is anything you would like us to add, please contact us.
|
