Driving in Israel vs. Latvia: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Israel and Latvia reveals significant distinctions, such as the prohibition of overtaking on the right in Israel, while Latvian drivers only do so when clear. Additionally, speed limits differ notably, ensuring each country's unique road culture is respected.
Lanes
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| 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.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
israel:
Yes
latvia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines are often issued immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
80 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
israel:
100-120 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
israel:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
israel:
80-100 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
israel:
Yes
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green light. | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
israel:
Used before green light.
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
israel:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
israel:
Varies; check for signs
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
israel:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
israel:
0.01%
latvia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
israel:
0.01%
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Test Refusal
israel:
Can result in license suspension
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
israel:
100
latvia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
israel:
Check local numbers
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
israel:
Recommended
latvia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Israel | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines issued, points possible | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines issued, usually high, points on license | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines issued, points on license | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
israel:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days