Driving in Finland vs. Israel: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Finland and Israel, it's essential to understand their distinct driving practices. From speed limits in urban areas to unique traffic signal usage and alcohol regulations, each country has its own set of rules. Discover the key contrasts that can impact your travel experience and ensure your well-being on the road.
Lanes
| Finland | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
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.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
finland:
N/A
israel:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
israel:
30 km/h
Signals
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
finland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
israel:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | 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, typically €85 | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail