1968 IDP plus UK/EU licence
RequiredVisitors driving their own or a rental car need a 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit alongside their national licence; the older 1949 IDP is not accepted.
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Country driving guide · 2026
Driving in Bahrain
Everything UK and EU drivers need before crossing the border into Bahrain: 8 legal requirements + 8 other things worth knowing.
8
Required
3
Recommended
5
Good to know
Tick before you go
Pre-departure checklist for Bahrain
8 legal must-haves. Print it, tick them off, throw it in the glovebox.
1968 IDP plus UK/EU licence
Visitors driving their own or a rental car need a 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit alongside their national licence; the older 1949 IDP is not accepted.
Passport with valid visa or eVisa
UK and most EU nationals can obtain a Bahrain eVisa online or a visa on arrival at King Fahd Causeway; passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Causeway insurance for own vehicle
If crossing from Saudi Arabia in your own car you must buy short-term Bahraini third-party insurance at the King Fahd Causeway booth (around BHD 4-10 / EUR 10-25); UK/EU green cards are not valid.
Drive on the right
Bahrain drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles, opposite to the UK.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
Motorway (Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway) 120 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; speed cameras are dense and fines start at BHD 20.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
BAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in arrest, heavy fines and likely imprisonment or deportation.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
Front and rear seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile use while driving carries a BHD 50 fine; children under 10 must not sit in the front.
King Fahd Causeway toll
The 25 km causeway to Saudi Arabia charges BHD 2 (around EUR 5) per car each way, payable in cash or card at the toll plaza.
Documents
Passport with valid visa or eVisa
RequiredUK and most EU nationals can obtain a Bahrain eVisa online or a visa on arrival at King Fahd Causeway; passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Causeway insurance for own vehicle
RequiredIf crossing from Saudi Arabia in your own car you must buy short-term Bahraini third-party insurance at the King Fahd Causeway booth (around BHD 4-10 / EUR 10-25); UK/EU green cards are not valid.
Carry V5C if bringing own car
RecommendedIf importing your own vehicle via the causeway, carry the V5C/registration document and a notarised letter of authorisation if the car is not in your name; customs may inspect at the border.
Driving rules
Drive on the right
RequiredBahrain drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles, opposite to the UK.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
RequiredMotorway (Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway) 120 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; speed cameras are dense and fines start at BHD 20.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in arrest, heavy fines and likely imprisonment or deportation.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
RequiredFront and rear seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile use while driving carries a BHD 50 fine; children under 10 must not sit in the front.
Aggressive driving and tailgating
Good to knowBahrain has one of the higher road fatality rates in the Gulf; expect undertaking, tailgating and sudden lane changes, particularly on the Budaiya and Shaikh Isa highways.
Emergency number 999
Good to knowDial 999 for police, ambulance and fire; you are legally required to stop and remain at the scene of any accident until police arrive.
Tolls
No motorway tolls within Bahrain
Good to knowBahrain has no vignette, no toll roads and no low-emission zones; motorways and city roads are free to use.
King Fahd Causeway toll
RequiredThe 25 km causeway to Saudi Arabia charges BHD 2 (around EUR 5) per car each way, payable in cash or card at the toll plaza.
Required equipment
No mandatory in-car kit
RecommendedBahrain does not legally require warning triangles, hi-vis vests or first-aid kits, but rentals usually include a triangle and spare; carry water given desert conditions.
Environment
Sandstorms and summer heat
RecommendedShamal sandstorms (especially June and winter) can cut visibility to near zero; summer temperatures exceed 45 C so check tyre pressures and coolant, and never leave anyone in a parked car.
Money
Currency BHD, fuel very cheap
Good to knowCurrency is the Bahraini dinar (1 BHD around EUR 2.45); petrol costs about BHD 0.20/litre for 91-octane (around EUR 0.50/L), among the cheapest in the world.
Cards accepted, cash for small stops
Good to knowCards work at all branded fuel stations (Bapco, Tatweer) and parking meters; tipping fuel attendants 200-500 fils is customary. No cash declaration is required for amounts under BHD 6,000 on entry.
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Drive on the right
RequiredBahrain drives on the right with left-hand-drive vehicles, opposite to the UK.
Speed limits 120 / 80 / 50 km/h
RequiredMotorway (Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway) 120 km/h, rural roads 80 km/h, urban areas 50 km/h; speed cameras are dense and fines start at BHD 20.
Zero-tolerance alcohol limit
RequiredBAC limit is 0.00 g/L; any detectable alcohol results in arrest, heavy fines and likely imprisonment or deportation.
Seatbelts and no handheld phone
RequiredFront and rear seatbelts are mandatory and handheld mobile use while driving carries a BHD 50 fine; children under 10 must not sit in the front.