Driving Differences: Brazil vs. Israel Uncovered
Exploring the road rules in Brazil and Israel reveals significant contrasts that are crucial for safe navigation. From overtaking regulations to speed limits, the driving cultures diverge considerably. While Brazil permits right-side overtaking, Israel enforces strict lane usage. Understanding these variances ensures a smoother and safer driving experience when traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brazil:
No
israel:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
israel:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
israel:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
israel:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brazil:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brazil | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
israel:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
israel:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay