Driving In Bahrain: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Licensed

Learning to drive in Bahrain involves several steps. First, you must be over 18 and visit the Traffic Directorate in Isa Town. There, you will need to pass a medical test and an eye exam. After that, you'll take instructional classes before taking a practical driving test. There are several driving instructors in Bahrain, and classes are offered in Arabic, English, and Urdu/Hindi. The cost of the learning license, classes, test fee, and license is approximately 175 Bahraini Dinar (BD) in total.

Driving license eligibility

To be eligible for a driving licence in Bahrain, you must be over the age of 18. You will need to go to the Traffic Directorate in Isa Town to complete an application form. You will also need to take copies of your passport, your CPR (Bahraini identity document), and your national driver's licence. The cost of applying for a Bahraini driving licence is between 35 and 40 Bahraini Dinar.

Before you can obtain your licence, you will need to pass a medical test and an eye exam. Once you have passed these, you will need to take instructional classes and a practical driving test.

Steps to apply for a driving license

To apply for a driving licence in Bahrain, you must be over 18. The process begins at the Traffic Directorate in Isa Town, where you will need to complete an application form and submit the following documents:

• Copies of your passports (for expats)
• CPR (Bahraini identity document)
• Your national driver's licence

You will also need to pay a fee of between 35BD and 40BD. Once your application has been processed, you will need to take a medical test and an eye exam. After passing these, you will be required to take instructional classes before taking a practical driving test.

Some additional reminders for driving in Bahrain include:

• All vehicles should be legally registered and insured.
• All drivers should have their driver's licences with them.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Be aware of the speed limits and traffic lights.
• Do not drink and drive.
• In an accident, you can call the emergency hotline on 999 or 199 for the traffic police.

Important driving reminders

• All vehicles should be legally registered and insured.
• All drivers should carry their driver's licenses with them at all times.
• Always wear your seat belt. This is mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers.
• Be aware of and adhere to speed limits. The speed limit is 60 km/h (37 mph) in towns, 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph) on open roads, and 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways.
• Obey traffic lights and road signs. Do not turn right at a red light.
• Do not drink and drive. The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.0%.
• Do not use cell phones while driving, unless it is a hands-free system.
• Eating, drinking, and smoking are prohibited while driving.
• Do not transport babies in the front seats.
• Pay attention to painted arrows on the lane; they indicate the possible directions from that lane.
• At red traffic lights, stop your car behind the white line, as most traffic lights on main roads and highways have road sensors behind the line.
• Even with a green light, do not enter an intersection with yellow markings if exits or turns are blocked due to congestion.
• If you need to turn left at a roundabout or go back the way you came, stay in the left lane.
• Traffic signals display four phases: green, amber, red, and red-amber.
• Directional and advice signs are written in both Arabic and English.
• Parking on the road is not permitted, except in marked bays.
• In the case of non-injury accidents, move your vehicle off the road and call the police. You must file an accident report within 24 hours of the incident.
• If you are a foreign visitor, you can drive with an international driving license for up to three months.

Foreign visitors' driving license

Foreign Visitors Driving License

Foreign visitors who wish to drive in Bahrain need to have a valid driver's license issued by their country of residence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is a supplementary document that translates your native driver's license into multiple languages, making communication with local authorities and rental agencies smoother. It is not a replacement for your native driver's license but is strongly recommended, especially if your license is not in English or Arabic.

The process of obtaining an IDP involves submitting an online application and uploading a photo. The International Driver's Association (IDA) can provide a digital copy of your IDP in as little as 20 minutes, and physical copies are typically shipped worldwide within 30 days. The IDP is valid for one to three years, depending on the selected duration, but in Bahrain, it is recognised for only one year.

With an IDP and your native driver's license, you can rent a car in Bahrain. Reputable car rental companies like Europcar and Sixt offer various vehicles, from standard models to luxury cars. The minimum age to rent a car in Bahrain is generally 21, with at least one year of driving experience. Some companies may allow 18-year-olds to rent but may impose an underage driving fee.

If you plan to stay in Bahrain for less than a year, your native license and IDP are sufficient. However, if your stay exceeds one year, you must acquire a Bahraini driving license by visiting the Traffic Directorate and completing the necessary tests and requirements.

Buying and renting cars

Whether you are an expat or a tourist, you will need a car to get around Bahrain. While taxis are available, they tend to be expensive. The kingdom of Bahrain is a popular place for expats to relocate to, and it is also a popular tourist destination.

Renting a Car

Renting a car in Bahrain gives you the freedom to travel wherever you want, especially when touring places far away from each other. Car rental companies can be found in Manama and at the airport, with an average daily price of 15 BHD (around €30) and a weekly price of 72 BHD (around €144) for a small four-door sedan. These rates include car insurance and unlimited mileage, but petrol is excluded.

It is recommended to pay 2 BHD (around €4) per day for a collision damage waiver to avoid huge costs in case of an accident. To rent a car, you must be over 21 years old (or 24 or 25 if the car model is expensive). An international driving permit is often required for foreigners, although some companies may accept a valid driving license from your country of residence.

Benefits of renting a car include:

• No registration formalities
• No need to worry about vehicle maintenance
• No hidden costs (repairs, breakdowns, etc.)
• No need to sell the vehicle when you leave
• No need to worry about reselling the vehicle

Drawbacks of renting a car include:

• Limited choice of models
• Low flexibility from car rental agents
• An expensive solution
• The vehicle is not yours

Buying a Car

Most expats in Bahrain opt to purchase a car. To buy a car in Bahrain, you will need a Population Registration Card (CPR) and a valid resident permit. Many cars for sale are parked at obvious locations, such as along the road into Juffair, or advertised in newspapers. The most visited car showrooms are located on the highway in Sitra.

Benefits of buying a car include:

• Recovery of part of your investment when leaving the country
• A very large selection of new and used vehicles
• The vehicle is your property
• Attractive prices

Drawbacks of buying a car include:

• Risk associated with reselling
• Registration procedures
• Insurance and maintenance costs
• Maintenance is at your expense

Frequently asked questions