Driving in Austria vs. Israel: Key Differences Uncovered
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Austria and Israel reveals key distinctions that can significantly impact your travel experience. From speed limits and lane markings to enforcement practices and emergency contact numbers, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover how these two countries prioritize vehicular safety in their own unique ways.
Lanes
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Used before green light. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
israel:
Used before green light.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
israel:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay