Motor Vehicles

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term vehicle generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Service members and their families will want to understand their state’s laws on registration and licensing before moving to a new state. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites.

Bahrain Traffic

Most people have vehicles and the volume of traffic is exorbitant compared to the size of the island. All vehicles are required to be registered and have vehicle insurance.

Hands-free Policy

Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on all military installations worldwide.

Driving in Bahrain

It is recommended that you ship your Personally Owned Vehicles Bahrain, unless it is hard to maintain or is damaged. Bahrain will not register a vehicle with body damage or missing parts (i.e. a bumper). Tinted or mirrored glass windows on your vehicle are usually not allowed, unless factory tinted.

Seat Belts - All occupants of vehicles are required to wear safety belts. Children under the age of ten are not allowed to ride in the front seat.

Vehicle Accidents - When involved in a traffic accident, it is important not to move the vehicle until directed by Bahrain Public Security (BPS) Traffic Police. All accidents must be reported to the Security Detachment as soon as practical. Any damage repairs to vehicles require an accident report.

Always carry with you when operating a motor vehicle a valid driver's license (International or Bahrain - a stateside license alone is not valid), proof of current insurance (by Bahrain based company), your Civilian Population Registry card, and 20 Bahrain Dinars. You will be charged an accident report fee regardless of who is at fault.

Privately Owned Vehicles

Authorized DOD personnel may import free of duty no more than one privately-owned vehicle for the personal use of the member. However, you may import a second or third vehicle, but member is liable to pay the 20 percent import tax and local port handling. The legwork to complete the customs processing is the members responsibility. The local Ministry of the Interior defines a motor vehicle as either automobile or motorcycle with engine power exceeding 1.5 HP and engine size exceeding 50 cc. Personnel must be 18 years old and possess a valid permit to operate automobiles and motorcycles. POV will be inspected by local traffic directorate for compliance and thus requires registration according to Bahrain traffic law.

Visit this Owned Vehicle tip sheet for additional details about the Vehicle Processing Center, auto insurance, registration and the claims process for your privately owned vehicle.

Picking up your POV

Privately Owned Vehicles are handled by the Vehicle Processing Center located in Sitra Industrial Area, Kingdom of Bahrain, where service members (military/civilian) can check the inbound status of their POV and also turn-in their vehicles for outbound shipment.

Members can also check the status of their POV on-line & Input the order number or your SSN and your last name exactly as listed on the Vehicle Inspection and Shipping Form or call Local Office Tel: 1770-1892 Or 1770-2193 Fax 17701456; You will be notified to collect your POV from the VPC once the POV is cleared through Bahrain Customs.

When you arrive to pick up your vehicle you must present the following to the VPC personnel: Copy of Vehicle Inspection and Shipping Form; Copy of Orders - front and back to include any amendments; Produce Military ID card to prove the ownership; Temporary License Plates (Bahrain); Proof of Insurance; Power of Attorney - if anyone other than entitled member is picking up the vehicle.

Hours of operation: Open: Sunday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed: Friday, Saturday and other US holidays.

Pre-Registration Requirements

Once your POV is cleared through Bahrain Customs you will be notified by the VPC. To collect the Customs Clearance Certificate of your POV at Personal Property Office. Personal Property Office will issue a letter certifying the status of your POV Title & a certification letter to register your POV at the Bahrain Traffic Directorate. Contact an insurance company of your choice to ensure that you have the required coverage for Bahrain. Local insurance companies will issue a card; that is the proof of insurance.

Registration

Registration of the Vehicle with Bahrain Traffic Directorate will be your responsibility. Or you can assign an agent of your choice to process your POV registration.

The following are required by the Traffic Directorate for registering your POV: Vehicle (for inspection); Customs Duty free certificate (provided by the VPC); Letter from the Personal Property Office Certifying  the status of the Title (provided by PPSO); Letter of Certification to register your POV to Bahrain Traffic Directorate (provided by PPSO); Proof of Insurance; CPR Card of the owner; Driver's License (either US/Bahrain); Registration Fees (BD33.000 approx).

Obtaining A Driver's License in Bahrain

• a.  Letter from the Command
• b.  Three photos
• c.  Valid US driving license
• d.  ID photo copy
• e.  CPR card
• f.  Passport w/visa
• g. Approximately $70.00 or 26.000 BD 

Local Motor Vehicle Regulations

• Right hand steering wheel: Vehicles with right-hand steering wheel (right hand driven) are not permitted.
• Paint/scratches/dents: Vehicles with badly faded paint, dents, widely visible scratches, or any other damage will not pass the inspection. Normal dings and scratches are acceptable. Loose or hanging body parts are not acceptable. Major body damage is not acceptable. 
• Tires: All tires will be in good condition. Tires extending partially beyond the fender are prohibited.
• Lights: All installed lights must be operational. The taillight or a separate light must illuminate the rear license plate. Backup lights must function when the transmission is engaged in reverse gear. Vehicles must be equipped with directional signals. Windshield Wipers: Must be operational. Brakes: Vehicle must have two separate means of applying brakes. The failure of one braking system will fail registration. 
• Color: There are no restrictions as to color. However, no weird painting or art on vehicle is permitted. 
• Others: Vehicles must meet operational and safety standards. Faulty exhaust system, missing fenders, broken windows, missing side view mirrors, and improper wheel alignment (wheels that cannot be turned from full right to left without jamming or rubbing part of the vehicle) will not be accepted.

Motorcycles/Mopeds

Mopeds and motorcycles require registration according to Bahrain traffic law.

Gasoline/Catalytic Converters

Unleaded gasoline is available throughout Bahrain, removal of catalytic converters is no longer required.

Insurance and Safety Requirements

(1) Insurance and traffic registration expiration dates must coincide with one another, (i.e., last day of the month). Insurance and registration must be renewed annually; failure to comply will preclude operation of vehicle and may subject the owner to a penalty in accordance with Bahrain law. 

(2) Automobile insurance for the Bahrain area is reasonable. Cost depends on make, model, year of vehicle and the total value (what is it worth at present) you declare on the vehicle. Insurance is compulsory, and POV cannot be released, registered, and used without proof of insurance. Once insurance is issued on a vehicle, coverage includes anyone who drives the vehicle. It is not necessary to have each individual driver insured. There are two types of insurance policies available: 

• (a) Third party (without collision) will run about $125/160 per annum. 
• (b) Comprehensive (full cover) will run $300 and above per annum.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles, and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving