Driving Differences: Egypt vs. Israel for Safe Travels
When exploring the roads of Egypt and Israel, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and vehicle operation. Key variations include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring safe navigation. Understanding these contrasts can significantly enhance your driving experience across these neighboring nations.
Lanes
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Typically used by buses and minibuses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not consistently marked. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often unmarked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
egypt:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
israel:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Typically used by buses and minibuses.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Not consistently marked.
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
egypt:
Limited
israel:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
egypt:
Rare and may not be exclusive to bicycles.
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
egypt:
Often unmarked.
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits.
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 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 | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
egypt:
40-60 km/h
israel:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
egypt:
40 km/h
israel:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
70-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
egypt:
70-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
70-90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
egypt:
90-120 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
egypt:
90-100 km/h
israel:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
egypt:
80-90 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
egypt:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
egypt:
Fixed speed limits
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Egypt | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used to communicate with other drivers | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines can occur for excessive misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal other drivers or warn of presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not officially regulated | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used in some situations due to high traffic density | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with a red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
egypt:
Not used in Egypt
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Allowed
egypt:
Commonly used to communicate with other drivers
israel:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
egypt:
Unnecessary use discouraged; certain areas may restrict usage
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
egypt:
Fines can occur for excessive misuse
israel:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
egypt:
To signal other drivers or warn of presence
israel:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
egypt:
Not officially regulated
israel:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Common Usage
egypt:
Used in some situations due to high traffic density
israel:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
egypt:
Arabic; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
egypt:
Triangles with a red border and white background
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
egypt:
Usually not allowed unless indicated otherwise
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
egypt:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Egyptian driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided after passing inspection | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
egypt:
Valid Egyptian driver's license required
israel:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
egypt:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
egypt:
International Driving Permit required
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
egypt:
Mandatory annual inspection
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
egypt:
Provided after passing inspection
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Common in high traffic areas | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, though not always observed | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and allow passage | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Misuse
egypt:
Common in high traffic areas
israel:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
egypt:
Common practice, though not always observed
israel:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
egypt:
Commonly used
israel:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
egypt:
Frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
egypt:
Give way and allow passage
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in penalties and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
egypt:
0.02%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
egypt:
0.00%; zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
egypt:
Conducted frequently
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
egypt:
Can be substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Test Refusal
egypt:
Can result in penalties and license suspension
israel:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
egypt:
122
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
egypt:
122
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
egypt:
Check with your insurance provider
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
egypt:
Not mandatory, but recommended
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Egypt | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for non-compliance | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and points on license | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines are often paid immediately | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
egypt:
Varies; fines can be significant
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
egypt:
Severe penalties including fines and possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
egypt:
Fines apply for non-compliance
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
egypt:
Significant fines and points on license
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
egypt:
Yes; fines are often paid immediately
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
egypt:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay