Driving in Israel vs. Kuwait: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Israel and Kuwait as we delve into their contrasting road regulations and safety protocols. From speed limits to lane usage, this comparison highlights key distinctions such as Israel's presence of cycle lanes and variable speed limits, while Kuwait enforces a strict zero-tolerance alcohol policy. Stay informed for safer travels abroad!
Lanes
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
israel:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
israel:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
israel:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
israel:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
israel:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
israel:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
israel:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
kuwait:
N/A
Signals
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used |
| 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 | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Turns
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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 inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
israel:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
israel:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
kuwait:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
israel:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
israel:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days