Driving in Israel vs. Italy: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Israel and Italy, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experiences. With variations in speed limits, lane markings, and traffic laws, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Dive into our comparison to navigate the nuances of driving in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
israel:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
italy:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days