The traffic fines in Bahrain depend on the type and severity of the violation of traffic laws. Fines apply to some offences from BD20 to BD100, depending on the nature of the violation, while other offences, including driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous driving, speeding, red-light violation, number-plate violation, etc., can be subject to higher fines, imprisonment, or both.
This guide covers all traffic offences committed in Bahrain as well as the applicable fines, periods of imprisonment, fines if the offence occurs a second time, fines for speeding, fines for red lights, and fines for alcohol offences.
How to Check and Pay Bahrain Traffic Fines Online
Follow these steps:
1. Go to the Government of Bahrain Website
Go to the official Government of Bahrain eServices website.
2. Go to Traffic Services
Open the Traffic Services section.
3. Go to Traffic Due Payments
Click on Traffic Due Payments to view unpaid traffic citations.
4. Enter Your Details
Fill out all information that is required, including details about your car, the registration type, ID details, etc., and check your traffic fine.
5. Go to Payment
Choose the valid traffic ticket for which you wish to make a payment and then go to the payment screen.
6. Enter Your Payment Method
Enter your Credit or Debit card information, make your payment, and record the confirmation in your database.
Bahrain Traffic Fines
Article 45 — Fine of BD 20 to BD 100
Article 45 covers a wide variety of traffic offenses. In the wake of provisions included in the penalty section of the GDT bccbhlv, violations under this article will be charged BD 20 – BD 100.
Violations covered by Article 45
| No. | Traffic violation | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstructing traffic | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 2 | Causing damage to private or public property | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 3 | Not wearing a safety helmet | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 4 | Allowing passengers to ride outside the vehicle | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 5 | Driving recklessly and endangering lives or property | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 6 | Displaying posters, advertisements, or slogans inside or outside a vehicle that violate public order or morality | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 7 | Driving a vehicle without lights | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 8 | Failing to give way to official motorcades or emergency vehicles | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 9 | Driving with an expired registration certificate | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 10 | Allowing children under 10 years old to sit in the front seats | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 11 | Using high spotlights or flashlights | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 12 | Using a vehicle in private motorcades without permission | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 13 | Failing to reduce speed | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 14 | Parking trucks, heavy vehicles, public transport vehicles or trailers in residential areas | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 15 | Stopping at night in darkness without turning on the lights | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 16 | Failing to keep to the right side on a two-way road | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 17 | Loading or unloading a vehicle on a road during unpermitted hours | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 18 | Occupying a parking space allocated for people with special needs | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 19 | Driving a vehicle noisily or while it is emitting smoke | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 20 | Failing to notify authorities about a transfer of vehicle ownership | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 21 | Causing damage to traffic signs | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 22 | Failing to use the safety belt | BD 20–BD 100 |
| 23 | Carrying an infant in a vehicle without a child seat | BD 20–BD 100 |
According to the official material of the GDT, general violations of these rules are included in Article 45, and the range of fines is set at BD 20 to BD 100.
Bahrain Traffic Fines Under Article 47
Article 47 — Fine of BD 50 to BD 500 and/or Imprisonment
More serious traffic offences are covered by Article 47.
Accused of any of the listed violations of the GDT could be imprisoned for up to six months, plus a fine of BD 50 to 500, or any higher fine according to the provisions of the Traffic Law or another more stringent penalty specified in another law.
Violations covered by Article 47
| No. | Traffic violation | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Using a vehicle for a purpose other than that mentioned in the driver’s licence | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 2 | Driving a vehicle without a registration certificate | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 3 | Driving an unlicensed vehicle | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 4 | Driving a vehicle without brakes or with brakes unfit for use | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 5 | Driving a vehicle without a driving licence | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 6 | Deliberately blocking or obstructing a road | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 7 | Handing a vehicle to a person who does not hold a driving licence | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 8 | Racing a vehicle | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
| 9 | Using a hand-held cellphone | BD 50–BD 500 and/or up to 6 months’ imprisonment |
The official GDT document specifically includes hand-held cellphone use and vehicle racing among the Article 47 offences.
Article 48 — Serious Traffic Offences
Article 48 covers particular serious offences where running a red light and overtaking have caused accidents.
1. Jumping a red light
A driver who jumps a red light may face:
- Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
- Fine: BD 100–BD 500
The fact of running a red light is thus far a far more serious offence than most of the other numerous traffic offences covered by Article 45.
2. Causing injury in an accident due to overtaking
If an accident results in injury due to “Overtaking”, the penalty will take the form of:
- Imprisonment: 3 months to 1 year
- Fine: BD 1,000–BD 3,000
3. Causing death in an accident due to overtaking
If an accident causes someone’s death because of overtaking, then:
- The imprisonment penalty is doubled
- The fine is doubled
It depends on the situation and the relevant legislation on form and content of the application.
Article 49 — Number Plate and Registration Offences
Article 49 — Fine of BD 200 to BD 500 and/or Imprisonment
Article 49 looks at deliberate offences relating to vehicle registration or vehicle number plates.
The GDT material states that the listed offences carry:
- Imprisonment: 1 to 6 months
- Fine: BD 200–BD 500
- First-time fine displayed by the GDT material: BD 200
Violations covered by Article 49
| No. | Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faking, defacing, or changing registration or number-plate data | BD 200–BD 500 and/or 1–6 months’ imprisonment |
| 2 | Allowing another person to use one’s registration or number plates | BD 200–BD 500 and/or 1–6 months’ imprisonment |
| 3 | Transferring number plates from one vehicle to another without permission | BD 200–BD 500 and/or 1–6 months’ imprisonment |
| 4 | Driving a vehicle without number plates or with plates that have been cancelled or defaced | BD 200–BD 500 and/or 1–6 months’ imprisonment |
The GDT material states that the penalty is doubled if the offender commits one of these violations again within one year from the date of the first sentence.
Article 50 — Bahrain Speeding Fines
Speeding up to 30% over the speed limit
- Imprisonment: 1 to 3 months
- Fine: BD 50–BD 250
Speeding more than 30% over the speed limit
- Imprisonment: 1 to 6 months
- Fine: BD 100–BD 500
Causing injury and damage by exceeding the speed limit
Where exceeding the speed limit results in injury and damage:
- Imprisonment: 1 month to 3 years
- Fine: BD 1,000
Causing a fatal accident by exceeding the speed limit
If speeding results in a fatal accident:
- The imprisonment penalty is doubled
- The fine is doubled
Article 51 — Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Driving under the influence of alcohol carries significantly higher penalties than ordinary traffic violations.
Driving under the influence of alcohol
The stated penalty is:
- Imprisonment: 1 month to 1 year
- Fine: BD 500–BD 1,000
Causing a traffic accident while under the influence of alcohol
If the driver causes a traffic accident while driving under the influence of alcohol:
- Imprisonment: 2 months to 2 years
- Fine: BD 1,000–BD 2,000
What If My Bahrain Traffic Fine Is Not Showing?
If you are unable to find the traffic violation, make sure the information you provided is accurate.
Verify:
- Your ID type
- ID number
- Vehicle number
- Registration type
- The selected traffic service
If the problem persists, use the official General Directorate of Traffic channels rather than an unofficial third-party site.
Frequently Asked Question
What happens if you receive a traffic violation under Article 45 in Bahrain?
Fines for violation of Article 45 are BD 20–BD 100.
How much is the fine for using a hand-held cellphone while driving in Bahrain?
Using a hand-held cellphone while driving is punishable under Article 47 with a fine of BD 50 – 500 and/or imprisonment of up to 6 months.
What are the costs of the red light ticket in Bahrain?
If an individual jumps a red light, they will be fined from BD 100 to BD 500 and jailed for up to 6 months under Article 48.
How much is the speeding fine in Bahrain?
The fine in case of exceeding the limit by less than 30% shall be BD 50 to BD 250, and in case of exceeding the limit by more than 30% shall be BD 100 to BD 500.
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Final Words
The amount of fines issued in Bahrain for traffic violations will differ greatly depending on the severity of the infringement and the nature of the traffic violation. You can check if you have any traffic offences to pay online through the official eGovernment traffic service in Bahrain. The service will ask for the parties’ identification and vehicle data and offers an easy way to manage outstanding violations.
In other instances, however, the penalties may be more than just a mere fine. Red Light, speeding, registration and number-plate offences, dangerous driving, and no driving licence or driving while intoxicated are covered within the Traffic Law.
