Check and pay traffic fines (contraventions) in Bahrain online via bahrain.bh, eTraffic or MyGov with your CPR and vehicle number, before renewal or sale.
To check traffic fines in Bahrain, use the official Settlement of Traffic Contraventions service — on the bahrain.bh National Portal, in the eTraffic or MyGov apps, or at a government self-service kiosk. You enter your ID and the vehicle number, the system lists every contravention recorded, and you choose which ones to pay by debit or credit card. It matters beyond the fines themselves: outstanding contraventions have to be cleared before you can renew a registration, transfer ownership or cancel a vehicle's registration. This guide covers where to check, what you need, how payment works, what to do if you disagree with a fine, and how to protect yourself when buying a used car.
Where to check traffic fines in Bahrain
Traffic contraventions are recorded by the General Directorate of Traffic (GDT) at the Ministry of Interior. There are four official ways to see them:
- bahrain.bh eServices — the Payment of Traffic Contraventions eService on the National Portal.
- eTraffic app — the GDT's app, which also covers registration renewal and other traffic services.
- MyGov app — the government super-app, which carries the same traffic services.
- iGA self-service kiosks — useful if you do not have a smartphone or eKey to hand.
The official Settlement of Traffic Contraventions page on bahrain.bh describes it as an inquiry and payment service for the vehicle owner, the record holder or the driver. For a wider view of your own driving history, the portal also offers a separate My Traffic Record eService.
What you need to check your fines
- Your ID type and ID number (CPR for individuals; companies use their commercial registration).
- The vehicle number and its registration type (private, commercial and so on).
- A debit or credit card if you want to pay straight away.
- Contact details for the receipt.
No documents are needed. If you drive a company or family car, the fines on that vehicle are visible to the registered owner — a good reason to agree who pays what before a contravention appears at renewal time.
How to view and pay traffic fines online, step by step
- Open the bahrain.bh eServices, the eTraffic app or the MyGov app and choose the traffic contraventions payment service.
- Enter the ID type and ID number.
- Enter the vehicle number and select the registration type.
- Review the list of contraventions. Each entry shows its details and the amount due.
- Tick the contraventions you want to pay — you do not have to settle all of them at once.
- Enter your contact information and pay by debit or credit card.
Keep the receipt. The official service time is one working day, so if you pay just before a renewal or a transfer, allow for that before assuming the record is clear. Fine amounts depend on the type of contravention and are set by Bahrain's traffic law; the exact amount for each item is what the service shows you, not a figure from a social media list.
When unpaid fines block you
Most people only discover old fines when a transaction stops. According to the official service conditions on bahrain.bh:
- Registration renewal — the renewal flow shows any contraventions on the vehicle and asks you to pay them before the renewal fee.
- Ownership transfer — all traffic fines, contraventions and accident claims must be settled before the car can change hands. Our guide to transferring car ownership in Bahrain walks through the full procedure.
- Cancelling a registration — the Cancellation of Vehicle Registration Certificate service also requires fines and accident claims to be cleared.
Check fines a week or two before any of these deadlines, not on the day.
What if you disagree with a traffic fine?
The online payment service is for viewing and paying; it does not include an objection button. If you believe a contravention was recorded in error — wrong vehicle, a car you had already sold, or a plate misread — act before paying:
- Note the contravention details shown in the service (date, time, location, type).
- Gather your evidence: a signed sale agreement and transfer record showing you no longer owned the car, a rental contract, photos, or anything showing where the vehicle was.
- Contact the General Directorate of Traffic at a traffic service centre, or raise the matter through Tawasul, the government's official suggestions and complaints system on bahrain.bh.
- For serious violations that are referred for prosecution, take legal advice; those are handled through the legal process rather than an online form.
Keep copies of everything you submit and any reference number you receive.
Buying a used car? Check its fines before you pay
Fines follow the vehicle record, and the transfer cannot complete while contraventions are outstanding — so an unexpected list of fines can delay your purchase or turn into a price argument at the traffic department. Protect yourself:
- Ask the seller to open the contraventions service in front of you (or share a current screenshot) using their ID and the vehicle number. Only the owner, record holder or driver can pull the list.
- Run the Vehicle Record Inquiry on bahrain.bh. With the registration type, vehicle number and chassis number you can see the vehicle's recorded information, including accident records, before you commit.
- Put it in writing. Your sale agreement should state that the seller settles every contravention dated before the handover date and time. Camera fines can take time to appear, so the handover time matters.
- Transfer promptly. The sooner the car is in your name, the less room for dispute over who was driving when.
Fines are one part of due diligence. Pair this with our 12-point used car buying checklist and an independent pre-purchase inspection, and if you want a head start, browse accident-free cars in Bahrain or the full list of used cars for sale.
Selling your car? Clear the record first
A clean fines record is a selling point. Before you list your car for sale, pay any outstanding contraventions so a buyer can transfer on the day you agree the deal. If you would rather hand the paperwork over, our paid government clearance service explains how we can help.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check traffic fines in Bahrain with just the car's plate number?
No. The official service asks for an ID type and number as well as the vehicle number and registration type, and it is intended for the owner, record holder or driver.
Do I have to pay all my fines at once?
No. The service lets you select which contraventions to pay. However, the renewal and transfer processes require the vehicle's contraventions to be settled, so pay them before those deadlines.
How long until a paid fine disappears from the system?
The official processing time for the payment service is one working day. Keep your receipt in case you need to show payment before the record updates.
Can I object to a traffic fine online?
The online service is for viewing and paying only. To dispute a contravention, contact the General Directorate of Traffic at a service centre or use the Tawasul complaints system, and bring your evidence.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Procedures and fees change — always confirm on the official portal before you apply.
