Junctions, Roundabouts and Priority Rules
Core concepts
Bahrain drives on the right. At uncontrolled junctions the default is to give way to traffic approaching from the right, and to traffic already on the main road when emerging from a side road. At roundabouts, traffic already circulating has priority; you give way to the right as you enter. Signal left when leaving, and signal right only if you intend to change lanes within the roundabout.
What examiners watch
- Approaching a junction at a speed that allows you to stop safely if needed.
- Correct use of the MSPSL routine: mirrors, signal, position, speed, look.
- Giving way where required without hesitating when the way is genuinely clear.
- Choosing the correct lane on approach to a roundabout for your intended exit.
Traps in questions
A common trap is assuming a green light means proceed without observation; pedestrians or blocked exits may still require you to stop. Another is treating a roundabout as a four-way stop - it is not; circulating traffic has priority. Questions may also test the difference between a give-way line (broken) and a stop line (solid), and what to do when a junction is blocked: wait behind the line rather than entering and obstructing.
Rule of thumb
If in doubt, give way - but do not dither. Approach slowly enough to stop, look right, left, right again, and commit decisively once clear. At roundabouts, think: approach, give way to the right, enter, signal left to exit.
Worked example
Emerging from a side road onto a two-way road: slow to a crawl at the give-way line, look right, then left, then right again, select first gear, and move out only when both directions are clear, accelerating smoothly to match traffic speed.