Driving in France vs. Israel: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the driving landscapes of France and Israel, distinct regulations and practices emerge that are crucial for travelers. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols. Understanding these variances is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
israel:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
israel:
Yes
Signals
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Used before green light. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
israel:
Used before green light.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
israel:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
israel:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Roundabouts
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
israel:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
france:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay