Top Middle East Motoring Tips

Extreme caution should be taken during the rainy season as roads are very slippery and local drivers are not experienced in driving in these conditions as it only rains for a very short period of the year.

Driving in Bahrain.

Bahrain is a small island and so traffic jams tend to be generally short in duration, although during Ramadan the traffic can build up at around 1pm whilst people leave work and this generally lasts for about an hour. In the Manama area where the souq is, roads are very narrow and congested with vehicles of all sizes as well as people crossing across the narrow roads, so drivers should remain very alert and ready for unforeseen obstacles.

Driving is on the right hand side of the road and seatbelts are compulsory for both the driver and front passenger and we strongly recommend that all passengers wear a seat belt if the vehicle is fitted with them. Road signs are in English and Arabic and the national speed limit is 100 kph and between 50 - 80 kph on smaller city and village roads. Turing right on a red light is not permitted in Bahrain. Bahrain also has the dreaded speed cameras which are situated on busy roads and major junctions so care should be taken.

If you have an accident then you should call 688 888 and do not move your vehicle, even if it is causing an obstruction until the local police turn up. Liability is often decided on the spot by the attending police officer, who will determine blame according to the positions of the vehicles etc. If you are not happy with the verdict, you can always take it to court, however the police are very experienced in road accidents and it is often better to swallow your pride and take their decision. The other reason that you need to wait for an officer is that garages will not repair a vehicle without a police report and this is very difficult to obtain if you leave an accident with out seeing an attending officer. A fee of 16 BD is payable for the guilty driver and a 6BD fee for the innocent driver, which is paid on the spot for the police report.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required to drive in Bahrain except for visitors from Gulf Co-operation Council states, U.S.A., Canada, Countries in the European Union, Australia and New Zealand. There are no restrictions on women driving in Bahrain. The offices of Bahrain car hire companies are easily encountered at the airport along with offices scattered throughout the island. Charges for Renting a car in Bahrain are from BD1O per day or BD60 per week. Credit cards are required for a deposit. All rental cars are offered with unlimited kilometres, but never fuel, which costs 80 fils per litre for the lower grade, known as jayyid, or 100 fils per litre for premium or mumtaz. Most hire cars are automatic and chauffeurs are often available for larger cars.

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