Driving in Guatemala vs. Israel: Key Differences Explained
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Guatemala and Israel, where unique regulations and practices shape the road experience. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals, with Guatemala allowing right-side overtaking while Israel enforces strict bus lane reserved usage. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
No
israel:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
israel:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
israel:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
israel:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
israel:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
israel:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay