Driving in Belgium vs. Israel: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Israel, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for a safe journey. From lane markings to speed limits and traffic signals, notable contrasts exist. For instance, while Belgium enforces a solid yellow line minimally, Israel relies on it to delineate road edges. Explore these vital distinctions to drive confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
israel:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
israel:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | 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 | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay