Driving Differences: Israel vs. Jordan Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving customs between Israel and Jordan. From lane markings and speed restrictions to traffic signals and penalties, this comparison highlights critical variations that affect your safety on the road. Stay informed to navigate these unique challenges and ensure a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
israel:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
israel:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
jordan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
israel:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
jordan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
jordan:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Annual inspections required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
israel:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
jordan:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 911 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
jordan:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
jordan:
911
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jordan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay