First Day Abroad

Driving in Bahrain: licence, roads and tolls

Part of the Bahrain arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

Driving in Bahrain: the three basics

Drives on the
right

The driver sits on the left and overtakes on the left. Roundabouts turn anticlockwise.

Your licence
Licence plus an IDP

Your own licence works with an International Driving Permit beside it. Get the permit at home before you fly - no country issues one for another country's licence.

Motorways
Free

There is no motorway charge for a car.

Bahraini roads are free, the island is small, and the causeway to Saudi Arabia is the one queue that matters.

Free roads, an island 50 km long, and one border crossing worth planning around.

  • The King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia is the only land link and queues for hours on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.
  • Roads are free with no tolls.
  • The alcohol limit is zero at the wheel, even though alcohol is legally sold in hotels.
  • Speed cameras cover the highways and fines are automatic.
  • The whole island is drivable in an hour, so a car is a convenience rather than a necessity from Manama.
  • An International Driving Permit is expected alongside your licence at the hire desk.
  • Friday mornings are the quiet window on the roads; the rest of the weekend the coastal road is busy.
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Sources (1)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.