Driving in Germany vs. Israel: Key Safety Differences
When comparing road regulations between Germany and Israel, notable variations emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signaling and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe navigation abroad. Dive into our detailed analysis to prepare for your journey!
Lanes
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
israel:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Germany | 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 for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
germany:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | 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 | €30 to €60 | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay