What to Expect in the First 30 Days in Bahrain

Posted by: AdminMH
May 12, 2019

Respect for Religion

Islamic religious values are greatly respected in Bahrain. Showing any disrespect towards religious beliefs or practices is considered deeply offensive and very likely to result in a heavy fine and/or imprisonment. Other religions are respected and can be followed by the expatriate community.

The traditional dress for women is the abaya, a long loose-fitting black gown that falls to the floors and covers the arms. Abayas are also seen with various lace works and other trims decorating the edges. Women wear the Hijab, a scarf on their head, which can be black or colorful, and covers all of the women’s hair. For special events, women wear brightly coloured dresses called Jalabiyas which has intricate embroidery. Women are expected to dress modestly, and avoid strapless and skimpy tops, revealing clothing and shorts. Women are expected to wear long sleeved clothing and trousers or a longer skirt. Clothing should not be tight and if visiting a mosque, having heads covered with a scarf is a must.

The traditional dress for men is the thobe, the long, white dress-like piece of clothing which covers the arms, legs and neck. The thobe is usually white, but also is worn in various shades of beige during summer and thicker or darker shades are preferred during winter. For the head, men wear a ‘Ghitraa’, which is a white scarf or a red and white scarf with thick black rope placed on top of the scarf.

During the holy month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset when they must refrain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of intimacy. People who are physically or mentally unwell are exempt, as are people who are travelling, women who are pregnant, who are menstruating and children under twelve. If the fast is missed they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead.

Every evening during Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the breaking of their fast with an evening meal called Iftar.

Bahrain Price Guide

Obtaining Driver’s License

In order to obtain driving license, you should have a GCC or an International Driving License. You should have resided in Bahrain for a minimum of three months. You should be over 18 years of age, and should pass an eyesight test. You will have to undergo a driving test (based on the license of your home country) or undertake instruction classes before appearing for the driving test.

The driving lessons can be undertaken in driving schools by paying a certain fee on hourly basis. You should possess an International Driving Permit, which should be endorsed by the Directorate before use. You need to possess a Bahraini ID card prior to applying for a driving license. The temporary learning driving license will have one year validity from the date of issue. You can renew it for the same duration prior to its expiry date by paying the required fees for renewal.

Follow essential rules of the road

In Bahrain, driving is on the right hand side of the road. Seatbelts are compulsory. Road signs are both in Arabic and English and so, easy to follow. The speed limit on inner city roads should be in the range of 50kph and 80kph, and 80kph to 100 kph on highways. Over-speeding or crossing a red light can lead to court cases or fines. Drinking and driving is a serious offence that could lead to imprisonment or fine.

Traffic Violations (Fines between BHD 20 – BHD 100)

• Allowing a child below 10 years old to sit in the front seat
• Allowing an infant in the vehicle without a child seat
• Allowing passengers in the outer part of the vehicle
• Causing damage to a traffic sign
• Causing damage to property (public or private)
• Displaying information that violates ethics and public order
• Driving fast in a residential area
• Driving without lights
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Expired registration certificate
• Loading or unloading on unpermitted roads or times
• Not giving way to emergency vehicles or official convoys
• Not informing about transferring the ownership of a vehicle
• Not using a seat-belt
• Not wearing a helmet
• Parking a truck, heavy vehicle, or public transport vehicle in a residential area
• Reckless driving
• Using elevated headlights
• Stopping in a darkened place at night without turning lights on

Severe Traffic Violations (Fines between BHD 50 – BHD 500 and/or jail time up to 6 months)

• Deliberately obstructing or blocking a road
• Driving an unlicensed vehicle
• Driving a vehicle with faulty breaks or without breaks
• Driving a vehicle without a driving license
• Driving a vehicle without a registration certificate
• Entrusting a vehicle to someone who doesn’t have a driving license
• Modifying a vehicle’s major parts without permission
• Overloading goods vehicles
• Racing a vehicle
• Using a hand-held phone while driving
• Using the vehicle for a purpose other than that indicated on the driving license

Traffic Signal Violations

• Jumping a red light (Fine BHD 100 – BHD 500, Jail up to 6 months)
• Causing injury due to jumping a red light (Fine BHD 1000 – BHD 3000, Jail 3 months – 3 years)
• Causing fatal accident due to jumping a red light (Doubled penalty)

Speeding Violations

• Speeding up to 30% of the limit (Fine BHD 50 – BHD 250, Jail 1 – 3 months)
• Speeding above 30% of the limit (Fine BHD 100 – BHD 500, Jail 1 -6 months)
• Causing injury and damage due to speeding (Fine BHD 1000, Jail 1 month – 3 years)
• Causing fatal accident due to speeding (Doubled penalty)

Substance Violations

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Fine BHD 500 – BHD 1000, Jail 1 month – 1 year)
• Causing traffic accident while driving under influence (Fine BHD 1000 – BHD 2000, Jail 2 months – 2 years)

Paying Fines

To find out if you have been fined, you will need to visit http://www.traffic.gov.bh/.  To learn more about traffic laws and getting a driving license, you may contact, General Directorate of Traffic at +973 17872222 or +973 17872287 or email at traffic@gdt.gov.bh.

Source:
Gulf Law | http://www.gulflaw.info/index.php